By Joshua Levine

Acne can be a big problem for men, especially when it leaves scars or when one continues to suffer from the condition well into adulthood. It can cause unnecessary insecurity not only with the opposite sex, but with people in general.

Thankfully, there are many products out there that can help treat acne, but with so many to choose from, how can you figure out which ones really work?

The market is saturated with commercial products and self-help cures, from guaranteed acne medications to toothpaste, so what are we to believe?

The following explains what everyone needs to know about acne and skin products. But before we start, let's clear up some acne myths.

Acne can be cured
Unfortunately, as many people with severe cases of acne will tell you, it can't be cured. It can definitely be controlled, but not cured. Acne is largely influenced by genetics, so if your parents had skin problems, you're likely to have them too.

Tanning is good for acne
The logic is there -- the sun will fry pimples away -- but it's totally wrong. In fact, the sun can make acne worse.

Only prescription drugs can treat acne
Although it's true that powerful drugs like Accutane are better than most over-the-counter products, non-prescription skin care products can handle the average acne condition just as well as the big boys, but without the fuss of having to go see a doctor first. It's all a matter of choosing the right product for the right problem.

Acne is a result of bad hygiene
Acne is caused by bacteria, an overabundance of oil, blocking of skin pores, and, with more severe cases, by a hormonal imbalance. Washing one's face countless times each day with soap does absolutely nothing. Only abnormal neglect will have a negative effect on the skin.

what causes acne?

First of all, acne is normal. Nearly 85% of adolescents get it at puberty, as it usually tones down around the early to mid-twenties, but never quite disappears. As stated above, acne is a genetic problem and how biological and environmental conditions will affect a person largely depends on their family background. Having said that, some people naturally have fewer skin problems than others.

Here are some of the factors that cause pimples.

Hormones
Adolescent males start to produce testosterone, a potent hormone that increases the production of oil (sebum) on the skin. Once sebum production increases, it can build up in hair ducts and pores, producing pain, swelling and the formation of pus.

Diet
Conflicting reports claim that chocolate and junk may or may not produce acne. But with some foods affecting hormone levels, it is safe to say that some food "can" cause acne, although genetics might have more to do with it.

Stress
Studies have shown that long periods of stress can increase skin problems since anxiety imbalances hormone levels.

Drugs
Certain drugs including androgens, lithium and barbiturates are known to cause acne.

Friction
Wearing articles of clothing or other rough materials that can irritate the skin may produce pimples in clusters. Wearing a cap on a hot muggy day for an extended period of time is a good example.

Sun
As stated before, some individuals have outbreaks after weeks of continuous sunbathing. Tanning lotions and sunblock can sometimes make it worse.

types of pimples

Although there are over 50 types of pimples, the most common include:

Blackheads
Blackheads are usually caused by a partial solidification of sebum (oil) in hair ducts. The black part is the dirt that accumulates on the tip of the pimple. It accumulates after the blemish has formed.

Whiteheads
Whiteheads form when pores are completely blocked. When bacteria gets trapped inside the pore, it can create soreness and pus. Nodules and pustules are more severe cases of the same type of acne.

Nodules
Solid protuberances or lumps that are often painful and buried deep inside the skin.

Pustules
These are inflamed, pus-filled areas of skin infected by bacteria from ruptured whiteheads (stop squeezing!).

Cysts
These pimples are usually large and go even deeper into the skin than pustules, and can lead to scarring.

good acne medication

When choosing an acne treatment, one should always look for chemicals that are known to treat skin problems. Such chemicals include: sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, zinc, salicylic acid, and retinoic (tretinoin). Any product containing at least two of these agents will have great results on moderate acne.

Potent botanicals, like allantoin or panthenol -- two proven cleansers with healing properties -- can also help get rid of bacteria that may be making pimples worse. It can also speed up the recovery process. When a wound heals properly, it leaves fewer marks, so such ingredients are always a plus.

bad acne medication

Avoid products that lure consumers with fancy ingredients such as Dead Sea mud or rainforest water. Treating acne isn't a magical experience so fixing it shouldn't require pixie dust.

Products that do not include a money back guarantee need to be avoided. Distributors that produce items that deal with visible conditions like acne often back their products with enormous certainty because if it works, consumers can immediately see the difference. Proactiv Solution, one of the better products on the market, even lets customers keep the products after a full refund.

Consumers should also be wary of medication that does not have medical backing or claims it can "cure" acne. If manufacturers aren't aware that acne is incurable, how can their product be trusted?

treat it today

Although acne can't be cured, remember that there are products that can treat the problem without a prescription. Don't forget to look for sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, zinc, salicylic acid, and retinoic (tretinoin) in the products you decide to purchase. Even severe acne can be treated; it's just a matter of dosage.

Resources:
www.acnecontrol.net
www.acne-drug.com