Visit any drugstore, and you will see acne care products in abundance? But how do you choose among them? How do they work? Which one is best for you? What about prescription strength medications? How did you get acne in the first place? In this article you will find the information to help you make an informed choice about your acne care. Before delving into acne care options, let’s discuss what acne is. Acne blemishes form when your skin’s pores become clogged with oil that your skin naturally produces and dead skin cells that your skin naturally sheds. Bacteria begin growing at the plug, leading to a blemish. There are different types of blemishes, some much more severe than others. A blackhead occurs when the plugged pore is open and the plug darkens. A whitehead is a blemish where the plug remains below the surface of the skin. Blackheads and whiteheads are considered to be non-inflammatory acne.

Blemishes called pustules, nodules and cysts are a more serious type of acne called inflammatory acne. Pustules are small, round, red lesions with a whitish center that can be painful to the touch. Nodules and cysts are larger, painful, pus-filled lesions that are deep in the pore. Nodules and cysts can lead to scarring in the affected area. A dermatologist should be consulted to assist in inflammatory acne care.