Beauty
Feb 09Is there a really a difference between treating your acne with high-end or prescription products versus over-the-counter ones? Top dermatologists spill the beans.
Differin .1 Gel
“The Differin .1 Gel is a wonderful, new drugstore acne medication,” says Samer Jaber, MD of Washington Square Dermatology in New York City. “It was available by prescription for over 20 years, and was just recently approved as an over-the-counter medication. It works differently than other OTC acne medications because it’s a retinoid, has anti-inflammatory properties, and clears clogged pores to prevent new acne. It should be the first OTC product that anyone struggling with facial acne uses,” Dr. Jaber says. However, if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant you should not use Differin. Find out what your acne breakout is secretly trying to tell you.
Biore Self Heating One Minute Mask
“The Biore Self-Heating One Minute Mask is applied wet to the face for one minute and rinsed off with water. It self-heats and has a tingling, fresh sensation, leaving pores smaller, tighter, and cleaner,” says Patricia Wexler, MD of Wexler Dermatology in New York City. “It contains kaolin, zeolite, and charcoal powder. It’s the best acne product for oily skin types with large pores to get significant improvement in both oil production and pore size.” Please excuse us while we sprint to the nearest drugstore to pick up this wonder product! Here are 11 more of the some of the best acne products—facial masks!
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment
The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment is non-drying, oil-free, and easily absorbed. However, the most important component of this drugstore acne treatment is the fact that it contains 5.5 percent micronized Benzoyl peroxide, which makes it one of the best acne products on the market. “Benzoyl peroxide comes in many variations from 2 to 10 percent, in either a gel, liquid wash, or foam vehicle,” says Shari Sperling, DO, FAAD, FAOCD, and board-certified dermatologist of Sperling Dermatology in Florham Park, New Jersey. “I generally suggest starting at a low or mid percentage and seeing how you tolerate it, then if it’s not too irritating (because it can be), increase in application and strength.”