Can an over-the-counter acne product help?

If you have mild-to-moderate acne and you use the products as directed, you should see some improvement in your acne. The most common over-the-counter acne products contain benzoyl peroxide, alcohol and acetone, sulfur-based products, resorcinol, and salicylic acid. Each works a little differently, and they are available in many forms, such as gels, lotions, creams, soaps, or pads. Benzoyl peroxide is the mainstay of over-the-counter acne treatment and works to clear up acne by reducing propionibacterium acnes, a type of bacteria that multiplies rapidly in clogged hair follicles where sebum is trapped. They also remove dead cells from the skin to prevent acne lesions. Alcohol and acetone are found together in some over-the-counter medications used to treat acne. Acetone works as a degreasing agent and alcohol has mild antimicrobial properties. Sulfur has been used for many years in combination with other agents, such as alcohol, salicylic acid, and resorcinol and is found in many over-the-counter acne medications. While long used to treat acne, it is not known how sulfur works to clear acne. Resorcinol controls small acne lesions and is frequently combined with sulfur in over-the-counter products. Salicylic acid is effective in treating non-inflammatory acne lesions by helping to correct the abnormal shedding of skin cells and unclog pores. Like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid must be used continuously or the condition will return.