Do you know of anyone immune from an acne outbreak? Most people have experienced the embarrassment and the pain of having zits or pimples.
The main way to gain relief is usually through over the counter medications. If these medications are not effective, then you may need to visit a physician to get better drugs.
Many of these medications can ease acne. But although these medications can ease acne, they also incur side effects that may be harder to treat than acne.
Benzoyl peroxide is used in many over the counter acne products. It can lead to dry skin, redness and irritation. Nonetheless, your skin adapts after several weeks of usage.
Retin-A or Tretinoin is a prescription-only acne medication that causes red, swollen, or crusted skin. It can also change skin color in some people. These problems can disappear after continued usage or after stopping the treatment.
Retin-A can make the skin sensitive to natural or artificial sunlight. Thus, using Retin-A, requires sunscreen to protect the skin from ultraviolet rays.
Antibiotics like Tetracycline may combat acne-causing bacteria, but it comes with side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dizziness, and headache. Also, the acne bacteria can become immune to antibiotics.
Accutane or Isotretinoin effectively combats acne and is only available by prescription, however it has the heavy side effects of all the acne-controlling medications. Accutane can cause birth defects in pregnant women.
Accutane can also cause mood swings. Individuals can become depressed, suicidal, aggressive, and violent. It may also lead to hallucinations.
Understanding how acne medications work is essential to avoid side effects. Talk to your local physician about your side effects.
Best alternatives to prescription acne products
1. Exposed skincare
The Exposed Skin Care Ultimate Kit is one of the best alternatives to accutane or retin A and comes with Microderm Scrub, Clarifying Charcoal Face Mask, Probiotic Complex 60 capsules (to balance sebum production by balancing your gut flora), and Free Derm-X Cloth. Tiny microcrystals in the Microderm Scrub pulls impurities for smoother skin. These crystals come from Aluminum Oxide, which is also used for microdermabrasion.
Derm-X Cloth is a microdermabrasion cloth that works similarly to the Microderm Scrub in exfoliating dead skin cells.
Probiotic Complex heals damage caused by inflammation or toxins inside the body. So, clearing your face requires a healthy body balance as well.
Exposed Acne system is also good alternative to skin care kits from higher priced brands like Proactive or Rodan and Fields.
2. Face Reality
Face Reality is a one-of-a-kind acne-fighting system of products, created by a past acne sufferer. Her acne treatment mechanism worked effectively, and she later created a training program that acne specialists used to treat their clients. The line doesn’t have any acne-causing ingredients, and mostly cruelty-free. It was made from natural ingredients like Green Tea Extract, Grape Seed Extract, Organic Willow Bark, and Organic Alcohol.
3. PRIAA
The pioneer behind this amazing brand is also a past cystic acne suffering woman. She aimed to create a mineral line of makeup specifically for acne-prone and sensitive skin. PRIIA offers vegan choices and cruelty-free products.
It is free from Bismuth oxychloride, talc, FD&C dyes, parabens, sulfates, or pore-clogging ingredients.