Home » A Guide to Over-the-Counter Acne Products: What Works Best?

A Guide to Over-the-Counter Acne Products: What Works Best?

Everyone experiences acne at some point in their lives, with puberty being a particularly prevalent time for breakouts. Although the occasional pimple or blemish is normal, persistent acne can be both annoying and a cause for concern.

There are a variety of over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatment products available in Singapore. In this article, we’ll give you the lowdown on the different types of acne products that can help you deal with your breakouts to achieve clearer, healthier skin.

Types of OTC Acne Products

Cleansers

Acne control cleansers are designed to rid the skin of dirt, excess oil and impurities, keeping the pores clear and clean. They may also contain active ingredients that kill acne-causing bacteria and absorb excess oil.

Topical Treatments

Topical treatments, such as anti-acne moisturisers, can be applied to the skin and contain active ingredients that regulate sebum production and reduce acne-causing bacteria. With consistent use, they may also help prevent future breakouts from happening.

Spot Treatments

Spot treatments come in the form of creams and gels, and are concentrated formulas that are applied directly on pimples. They are often used to address isolated acne flare-ups by killing acne-causing bacteria.

Key Ingredients to Look For

When choosing an acne product, look out for the following ingredients that kill acne-causing bacteria and regulate oil production.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that can be used to treat mild acne and prevent future breakouts. It works by penetrating the skin, exfoliating and dissolving dead skin cells that clogs the pores.

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide can treat mild to moderate acne by reducing acne-causing bacteria and drying out the skin, encouraging cell renewal. Some formulations can also help manage rosacea symptoms by reducing inflammation.

Retinoids

Retinoids are slightly stronger and can be used to treat moderate to severe acne. Retinoids speed up skin cell turnover and unclog pores. Over time, they can also reduce inflammation and improve skin texture and tone — lightening post-acne scars and hyperpigmentation.

Tips for Using OTC Acne Products

For optimal results, adopt proper application techniques and integrate OTC acne products into your daily skincare routine. Some tips include:

Cleanse your skin well — Before applying any OTC acne treatment products, ensure that you cleanse your skin properly with a non-comedogenic cleanser.
Follow product instructions — Apply the products based on the instructions given on the labels or packaging. This ensures the best results and reduces the chance of side effects.
Introduce products gradually — Allow your skin some time to acclimate to the OTC products and avoid overloading your skin with multiple active ingredients. This may cause irritation or other side effects.
Be consistent — When it comes to acne treatments, consistency is key! Use the OTC products regularly, as directed. Be patient; sometimes it takes time to notice visible improvements.
Monitor side effects — Pay attention to your body. If you experience side effects such as excessive redness or discomfort, you may want to opt for a gentler OTC acne treatment.
Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle — Getting enough sleep, staying hydrated and adopting a balanced diet can support overall skin health and optimise your results.
Avoid overuse — More isn’t always better. Avoid overwhelming your skin with too many anti-acne products as this can do more harm than help, irritating your skin and worsening your acne.
Use sunscreen — Some acne treatments may increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF40 and above to avoid excessive sun exposure and skin damage.

Professional Acne Treatment

Breakouts can be stubborn and, in more serious cases, over-the-counter acne treatment products may not suffice. Thankfully, there are professional acne treatment options that can effectively reduce acne and prevent future breakouts.

The Acne Express Defence Facial is a non-invasive, 60-minute treatment specially designed to manage acne breakouts. It involves a gentle exfoliation with papaya enzymes to encourage skin renewal and unclog pores. This works synergistically with high-frequency radiotherapy to kill off acne-causing bacteria, regulate oil secretion and minimise inflammation. Its main benefits include:

Unclogs pores
Regulates sebum production
Calms the skin and reduces inflammation
Improves blood circulation
Prevents future breakouts
Clears the skin

As this treatment was formulated for acne-prone skin, it is generally well-tolerated and suitable for sensitive skin. It also has no downtime, which means you can return to your daily activities right after your session.

Acne Treatment in Singapore

While OTC products can help, they may not always be effective against stubborn acne. Thankfully, there are professional solutions available that can offer targeted treatment.

Schedule a consultation with Skinlab Medical Spa today for a comprehensive skin analysis and personalised treatment plan!