Choosing an Effective Acne Cream
Some of the most popular acne cream products today contain either antimicrobials or retinoids. Antimicrobials inhibit or kill acne causing bacteria. On the other hand, retinoids, derived from Vitamin A, unclog pores and stop the formation of whiteheads and blackheads. Below are some examples of these.
Topical Antimicrobials
· Clindamycin is a semi-synthetic antibiotic. It reduces acne and lessens inflammation. Clindamycin has been proven to be safe and well tolerated. However, it may cause side effects such as skin dryness or irritation. It decreases bacterial resistance caused by antibiotic use.
· Erythromycin has both antimicrobials and anti-inflammatory properties. Acne creams combining benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin have been proven to be quite effective. Side effects include dryness and irritation of the treated area. It also decreases bacterial resistance caused by using antibiotics.
Topical Retinoids
· Adapalene is a synthetic retinoid that unclogs pores and has moderate to potent anti-inflammatory properties. Dryness and minor skin irritation are possible occurences with use.
· Tretinoin was the first retinoid developed for topical use. It is a natural retinoid that gradually unclogs pores and helps them stay unplugged. Burning, itching and redness are a few of the side effects that some users observe.
Topical Niacinamide (also called Nicotinamide)
After Vitamin-A derived retinoids, the most recent revolutionary treatment for acne comes from a substance called niacinamide. It is derived from niacin, a component of the Vitamin B complex.
In a New York University study, acne treatment and niacinamide was the subject, and 76 people were tested for the acne healing effects of 1% clindamycin gel compared to 4% Niacinamide gel. The preparations were used on moderate to inflammatory acne, twice daily for eight weeks.
The result – 82% of niacinamide patients showed improvement as compared to only 68% of clindamycin patients. Moreover, since Clindamycin is widely known to diminish bacterial resistance, niacinamide is even more preferred.
Acnessential, a 4% Niacinamide cream, is one of the most effective acne cream products in the market today. Some of the advantages are the following.
· It is safe and natural to keep using it for as long as necessary.
· It will not make your skin develop bacterial resistance unlike most antimicrobials.
· It is ideal if you have dry, sensitive skin and cannot tolerate retinoids well.
Furthermore, 4% Niacinamide cream (such as Acnessential) can be used alone or alongside antibiotics and even retinoids.
Go visit acne-free-info.com for more information about topical niacinamide gel.
Acne E-book for FREE
If you’d like further information on treating acne in general, visit http://acne-free-info.com for a free ebook on acne.