Acne affects almost 17 million people in the United States. Accordingly, pharmaceutical and cosmetics companies have targeted this large market by developing a vast range of skin care products to clean and clear your skin of acne.

Here, we'll touch on fads, brand names, types of acne products and what ingredients should be found in the best acne products to help you get a handle of that daunting cleansers aisle. When finished, you should have a good idea of the different non acne medication options out there.

Over the Counter Acne Products

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide, one of the most used over the counter acne solutions, prevents acne by killing the bacteria P. acnes and by removing extra skin. The P. acnes bacteria cannot live in an aerobic (with oxygen) environment. Application of benzoyl peroxide introduces oxygen into the follicle, thereby killing bacteria. Unfortunately, benzoyl peroxide dries out the skin and causes flaking, in addition to causing some level of structural damage to the skin by its release of free radicals. Proactiv, a product made popular by infomercials, utilizes benzoyl peroxide in its main product line.

Salicylic Acid

Pimple products with salicylic acid as the main ingredient cause the skin to shed extra skin cells in a more effective manner, decreasing the availability of those excess cells to block pores when combined with sebum. Salicylic acid is effective when found in whitehead and blackhead products. Popular brands that use salicylic acid include Noxzema, Oxy and Stridex.

Alcohol and Acetone

Typically as astringents and toners, alcohol and acetone are usually found together when used for acne treatments. The alcohol attacks the bacteria problem while the acetone eliminates oil.

Sulfur and Resorcinol

Sulfur and resorcinol are also usually sold together as an acne product. Sulfur has been used for more than 50 years as a way to become acne free but how it works has still not been agreed upon. Resorcinol keeps whiteheads and blackheads at bay by eliminating extra skin. Clearsil's 'medicated' blemish line uses sulfur and resorcinol as ingredients.

Natural Acne Products

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil works as an antimicrobial when applied topically to the skin. The skin can initially be quite sensitive to tea tree oil so application should begin in low concentrations, diluted with water or aloe vera gel.

Licorice Root Extract

Licorice root extract is an antimicrobial that kills the acne-causing bacteria P. acnes. It also works as an anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant, antioxidant and inhibitor of sebum.

Garlic

Garlic is a natural antibacterial agent that also contains sulfur.

Alpine Willow Herb Extract

This extract is a natural source of keratolytic salicylic acid in addition to being an antimicrobial.

Helix Aspersa Muller Glycoconjugates

All top acne products should contain this serum. These glycoconjugates promote skin reparation (improving the appearance of acne scars) and better moderate the body's inflammatory response to infection. This moderating action helps reduce the amount of damaging chemicals released by white blood cells when fighting against foreign bodies, effectively shielding adjacent healthy skin against unnecessary harm. It also uses enzymes to remove extra skin, preventing against clogged pores, and disinfects the skin without causing peeling and flaking.