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Do Topical Acne Creams Really Work?
By Acne Guru | December 8, 2008
Some of the most popular acne cream products today contain either antimicrobials or retinoids. Antimicrobials inhibit or kill acne causing bacteria. Retinoids, which are made from vitamin A, stop the formation of blackheads, whiteheads, and unclog the pores. Below are some examples of these.
Topical Antimicrobials
· Clindamycin is a semi-synthetic antibiotic. Clindamycin lessens inflammation and reduces acne. Clinical tests have proven Clindamycin to be well tolerated and safe. However, it may cause side effects such as skin dryness or irritation. It can decrease the bacterial resistance that often occurs when antibiotics are used.
· Erythromycin’s properties are both anti inflammatory and antimicrobial. Acne cream preparations that combine erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide have been proven to be very 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. Tretinoin is a natural retinoid which over time unclogs pores, and helps keep them unclogged. Redness, itching, and burning, are some of the side effects observed in users.
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 made from the B vitamin niacin.
Niacinamide and acne treatment were the subject of a New York State University study, where 76 patients were studied for the acne healing effects of 4% niacinamide gel versus 1% clindamycin gel. The gels were applied two times a day for 8 weeks, on moderate to inflammatory acne.
The result – 82% of niacinamide patients showed improvement as compared to only 68% of clindamycin patients. Niacinamide is the preferred choice because it doesn’t diminish bacterial resistance, as Clindamycin is widely known for.
4% Niacinamide creams/gels are one of the best acne treatments available for moderate to inflammatory acne. Some of the advantages are the following.
· It is natural and safe to use for as long as you need it.
· It will not make your skin develop bacterial resistance unlike most antimicrobials.
· It is perfect for those who have sensitive and/or dry skin and can’t tolerate retinoids very well.
Additionally, a 4% Niacinamide cream (such as Acnessential brand) can be applied alongside retinoids and antibiotics, or on its own.
Visit acne-free-info.com for more information about niacinamide cream.
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If you’d like further information on treating acne in general, visit http://acne-free-info.com for a free ebook on acne.
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