So what is the best over the counter acne treatment on the market?

Many acne products are available in pharmacies and drugstores. Find out who is the best right now!

Over-the-counter (OTC) acne products are available to treat mild to moderate acne or periodic breakouts. But with so many acne products lining store shelves, how do you know which one is best for you?

Before you grab whatever package is closest, learn which OTC (over-the-counter) acne products is the best, read our reviews and choose the best treatment for you.

Exposed Skin Care Review
	Why Exposed works: Exclusive combination of SCIENCE + NATURE to treat acne. With all things considered, Exposed Acne System is THE BEST choice for treating all forms of acne including mild, moderate, and severe. It’s also gentle enough for all skin types including oily and sensitive skin. The company offers a fair price for their product, and you won’t find any other product with a full 1-year money back guarantee.
	FEATURES  Guarantee:  1 Year  Items:  5-Piece Kit  Good For:  60 Days  Bonus:  The Derm-X Cloth  Price:  $49.95	RATINGS   Acne Treatment Power:  Ingredient Quality:  Long Term Quality:  Company Service:
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ClearPores Acne System Review
	The Clear Pores Skin Cleansing System is an amazing 3-part product that is guaranteed to not only clear up unsightly blemishes and acne, but it is also formulated to ensure that acne and other skin conditions do not reappear.
	FEATURES  Guarantee:  90 Days  Items:  3 Items  Good For:  90 Days  Bonus:  No Bonus  Price:  $53.99	RATINGS  Acne Treatment Power:  Ingredient Quality:  Long Term Quality:  Company Service:
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ZENMED Derma Cleanse System Review
	The success rate reported by ZENMED's customers has made their acne treatment system one of the most popular solutions. Powerful results are guaranteed. Include: Gentle Cleansing Gel, Acne Gel & Derma Cleanse Capsules.
	FEATURES Guarantee: 60 days Items: 4 Items Good For: 60-120 days Bonus: Free Report Price: $79.97	RATINGS Acne Treatment Power: Ingredient Quality: Long Term Quality: Company Service:
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Active ingredients in best OTC acne products:

How acne developsAcne products work in different ways, depending on their active ingredient. Some OTC acne products work by killing Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), the bacterium that causes acne inflammation. Other acne products remove excess oils from the skin or speed up the growth of new skin cells and the removal of dead skin cells. And in some cases, acne products work by doing a combination of these things.Here are common active ingredients found in acne products and how they work to treat acne.

Benzoyl Peroxide

One of the most common acne treatments available, benzoyl peroxide is found in cleansers, lotions, and creams. It works by killing Propionibacteria acnes, the bacteria responsible for acne breakouts. Benzoyl peroxide also helps unclog pores and reduces inflammation of the skin. Benzoyl peroxide is sold over the counter in strengths from 2.5% to 10%.
 

Salicylic Acid

Good for non-inflammatory acne lesions. It is considered moderately effective in the treatment of acne. It is usually used as a alternative therapy to topical retinoid or benzoyl peroxide, as some patients can’t tolerate retinoids and benzoyl peroxide due to skin irritation. Its helps by slowing the shedding process of cells within a hair follicles and further preventing the pores from clogging. It break down whiteheads and blackheads. Sometimes it might cause mild skin irritation for some people.

Dermatologist may use in different concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 10% of SA in the treatment of acne, but concentrations ranging from 3% to 6% are more commonly used for psoriasis, ichthyoses, keratosis pilaris and other hyperkeratotic skin disorders. For wart and Corn removal it can be used in concentration ranging from 5% to 40%. We are talking about OTC, so the maximum strength of SA available for OTC acne products range from 0.5% to 2% , either cream or lotion. Salicylic Acid is an FDA Pregnancy Category C drug, and the safety of Salicylic Acid for breast feeding mother is unknown. But is approved for use in child acne.

Sulfur

Often combined with other ingredients, such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or resorcinol, sulfur removes dead skin cells that clog pores and helps remove excess oil. Products containing sulfur may cause dry skin, and some products have an unpleasant odor.

Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil of the Australian native tree Melaleucaalternifolia. Tea tree oil has been used in countries like Australia as a topical antiseptic agent for decades and few research studies have shown that it has variety of antimicrobial activities. The efficacy of topical tea tree oil as a therapy for acne has been evaluated in one study and it showed that 5% tea tree oil gel significantly reduced both inflammatory and noninflammatory acne lesions. It was found that although it had slower onset of action then 5% benzoyl peroxide lotion, but the side effects were fewer then that of benzoyl peroxide lotion. Few people may experience allergic contact dermatitis. They are usually sold in combination with other acne medications or herbal medications.