Choosing the Right Dermatologist Lotion for Acne Prone Patients

Everyone hates to suffer through an acne outbreak. It's not only painful, it's embarrassing. In the "old" days (translation: when I was a teenager) there was little that could be done about being "stricken" with acne other than folk remedies. And they frequently made the situation worse! But thanks to the miracle of science, all that has changed. Today, there are several pharmacological and natural acne treatments - your dermatologist has any number of creams, lotions, and acne medicines to try. Most of the treatments available today were developed by skin specialists with years of experience. So if you suffer from acne outbreaks, a dermatologist lotion for acne prone patients may help.

There is no one "miracle" dermatologist lotion for acne prone patients because there is more than one type of acne. Each patient's needs are specific and individual. For that reason, we don't recommend one dermatologist lotion for acne prone patients over another or do acne product reviews- the product you choose is really for you and your doctor to decide. But we are big believers in education, so here is a brief overview of the primary ingredients used to fight acne today. Discuss the pros and cons of each with your dermatologist:

• Benzoyl peroxide is a common ingredient in over the counter acne lotions and creams. It is available in concentrations of 2.5% - 10%. It has a three pronged attack - it is an anti-bacterial, an anti-inflammatory and an anti-comedonal (it will help reduce oil production). It has been proven to be effective in reducing acne but it can irritate the skin or be too drying.
• Topical retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that slow oil secretion. These drugs also have anti-inflammatory activity. They are effective but can be very irritating to the skin - many patients are unable to tolerate them. Retinoids should be avoided by women who are pregnant or nursing.
• Azelaic acid is a popular alternative to the topic retinoids. It has the same anti-comedonal and anti-bacterial properties as the retinoids, but have a much lower occurrence of facial irritation. It is a good choice for patients with sensitive skin, but it can decrease skin pigmentation. It is not recommended for patients with darker complexions.