If you think you’re the only person who suffers from acne, think again. Acne treatment is a huge industry in today’s world with companies reporting over 100 million dollars in annual sales. With such a big amount of money involved, we see new companies coming out with products on a regular basis, all of them promising to cure you once and for all of your acne troubles. One of the main problems is that many of these products could be highly effective or not at all, depending on the person’s genetic make-up. There are manufactured products, home remedies, and even natural products that make the claim that they are the one-stop shop for all your acne ailments, so which one is the right one for you? The initial possibilities may seem so vast that it is sometimes hard to know where to even begin. Obviously, we want a product that really works and doesn’t just show some beautiful model with a perfect complexion telling us that if we will just use what they do, we’ll look just like them.

For milder cases of acne there are over the counter treatments and other skin care solutions that contain benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. There are also a variety of on-line ordered products have no salicylic acid and are very effective, such as Proactive solution. Remember, pregnant women should avoid products that contain salicylic acid, as it can possibly lead to complications during pregnancy or even birth defects. These are to be applied normally after washing, just like with facial acne solutions.

For severe or prolonged cases of acne, you may consider talking to a physician about hormone treatments. If hormonal imbalance is the cause of your acne, a doctor can help identify and diagnose the problems. Hormone treatments can be effective against even the most severe cases of acne found in women. The treatment inhibits the androgens from stimulating the oil glands, thus cutting down on excessive oil that can cause clogged pores and hair follicles. A blood test and often a prescription for oral medication are required for hormone treatments, so it is only available through a doctor. They can be very effective treatments, however, even to the point of stopping the acne before it even occurs.

One of the most important aspects of preventing acne and maintaining healthy looking skin is diet. It makes sense that the things we eat are what builds and maintains our bodies, therefore it also makes sense that what comes out of our body is going to reflect those healthy or unhealthy diet choices. If you suffer from acne, you could be compounding the problem by what you are eating. Foods that are high in fat and preservatives and low in nutritional value aggravate the pores by forcing the body to try and expel the impurities found in the food out through the skin. Think of it as you would a car; if you put gas with a bunch of mud in the tank, there’s a good chance it will get clogged and break down after a short period of time. The same applies to our bodies. Eating fatty, starchy foods fills our system with bad fuel that makes us not hungry for the right foods that contain the essential nutrients we need for better acne prevention.

So take a look at your diet. If you drink carbonated, highly sugared soft drinks, switch over to plenty of juices and lots of water. Water is a natural flushing agent that purges your bodily systems and helps maintain clear skin. The juices will not only keep you away from the processed sugar found in candies and sodas, but it will also give your body many of the essential vitamins needed to fight acne causing agents. The same goes for food. Rather than trying to get enough vitamins through a multi-vitamin pill, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables not only to provide your body with essential nutrients but also to cut down on foods that will hurt your efforts of acne prevention. Apples and blueberries are said to be particularly effective in the prevention of new acne outbreaks.

For women, another option may be birth control pills. Hormonal pills such as OrthoTryCyclen and Estrostep are standard prescriptions that often help prevent acne outbreaks. They are not always totally effective in clearing up blemishes and at times must be used in combination with other forms of treatment, such as a topical solution like Proactiv or Nuetrogena. Again, a physician is the best person to consult with in helping to determine what the best options may be. When taking any kind of hormonal birth control pills, women must remember to follow health restrictions that come with use of the pill, such as not smoking cigarettes.

Whatever kind of acne there is, there is an effective treatment that is out there and available. A better knowledge of the different kinds of acne will give the patient a better idea in what the most effective form of treatment will be. Remember, acne doesn’t have to affect you all your life. With a little research and time anyone can find the treatment that is perfect for them.