The most effective acne ointments in pharmacies & bull; hello healthy

Acne can be very annoying. Not only interfere with appearance, acne sometimes also cause pain. Calm down first. Applying a special ointment can be the best solution for you so that your face is free from stubborn pimples. Now of the many acne ointments on the market, which one is the most effective?

Recommended acne ointment at the pharmacy

Ointments are external medicines that are applied directly to the skin. There are acne ointments that are sold freely and some must be purchased by redeeming a doctor's prescription. Certain drugs must be accompanied by a doctor's prescription to regulate how to use them, because usually the drug substance is stronger or has a higher dose

Choosing an acne ointment is certainly a challenge. The reason is, choosing the wrong ointment may not be suitable for treating certain types of acne you have. Meanwhile, if your choice is right, acne can be resolved quickly and with minimal side effects. Well, what kind of acne ointment is best?

1. Benzoyl peroxide ointment

You can find acne ointments containing benzoyl peroxide at most pharmacies, with or without a doctor's prescription. Prescription benzoyl peroxide ointments usually contain a stronger dose.

Benzoyl peroxide works to kill acne-causing bacteria and prevents dead skin cells from clogging up pores. Benzoyl peroxide can also reduce oil production in the skin and keep pores open.

For most people, benzoyl peroxide is known to be effective and effective in getting rid of mild to moderate acne. Benzoyl peroxide ointment can be used alone, but it can also be prescribed along with other acne-relieving medications, such as clindamycin, erythromycin, and adapalene.

If you are using a doctor's ointment, do not increase the dose more than directed. This can actually make acne difficult to heal, and even increase the risk of side effects such as dry, flaky skin.

Acne treatment with benzoyl peroxide takes, on average, about 8-10 weeks. Don't forget to use sunscreen after applying this ointment, especially if you are going outside. The use of benzoyl peroxide increases the skin's sensitivity to UV rays.

In the early weeks of use, you may feel a lot of new pimples appear. However, don't worry too much. This is a normal reaction, called purging. Over time, the pimples will reduce and disappear completely. Even so, if after more than 12 weeks the acne does not go away, see a doctor immediately.

2. Retinoid ointment

Retinoid acne ointment contains vitamin A which is usually used to treat blackheads (blackheads and whiteheads) and mild to moderate acne.

Retinoids work to remove dead skin cells while stimulating the growth of new skin cells, reducing oil production (sebum) in the face, and opening clogged pores.

Retinoids include acne medications that must be redeemed by a doctor's prescription. The dosage and its use must also follow the doctor's directions.

Retinoids have several derivatives namely tretinoin, adapalene, and tazarotene with different doses. Ointments containing adapalene are claimed to be more effective at getting rid of acne than tretinoin.

However, tell your doctor first if you are currently using it skincare or other acne medications containing benzoyl peroxide. Tretinoin and tazarotene should not be used together with benzoyl peroxide, but adapalene can.

Retinoid ointments can increase skin sensitivity to sun exposure, with side effects such as redness and sunburn. However, compared to other retinoid derivatives, adapalene side effects are classified as mild while tazarotene can be more severe.

To minimize the risk of sunburn during retinoid use, always apply sunscreen every time you go outside. Also wear clothing that protects your skin, such as a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.

Stay away from direct sunlight by taking frequent shade when the situation requires you to do outdoor activities.

3. Antibiotic ointment

Antibiotic ointment works to inhibit growth and kill the P. acnes bacteria that causes acne.

There are many different types of antibiotic ointments, but the ones most often prescribed by doctors to treat acne are clindamycin and erythromycin. Tetracycline can also be prescribed, but rarely because the side effect can cause yellowing of the skin.

Acne treatment using antibiotic ointment will work better when combined with other acne medications. The reason is, topical antibiotics work slower to treat acne than other acne ointments. Antibiotic ointment can be used together with, benzoyl peroxide, retinoid cream, spironolactone, or birth control pills (birth control pills).

Antibiotic ointments are most often combined with benzoyl peroside or retinoids to treat acne. However, in certain cases, especially if your acne is caused by hormonal disorders, then spironolactone or birth control pills may be prescribed along with an antibiotic ointment.

Treatment of acne with topical antibiotics usually only lasts 6-8 weeks. Stop use when it is time to prevent the risk of bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics.

Also pay attention to the risk of side effects from using antibiotic ointments in the form of skin irritation, such as redness and burning, and peeling. Minimize this risk while using the ointment by applying sunscreen every time you go outside.

4. Salicylic acid

Another acne ointment is salicylic acid. Salicylic acid helps shed dead skin cells from skin follicles, thus keeping pores clean and reducing inflammatory reactions. Salicylic acid is also effective for removing blackheads, reducing oil on the face, and swelling due to acne.

You can buy an acne ointment containing salicylic acid in doses ranging from 0.5% to 2% at a pharmacy without a prescription. However, for more severe cases of acne, you need a doctor's prescription.

Salicylic acid ointments rarely cause worrying side effects. However, if you experience any of the following side effects after using salicylic acid, you should visit your doctor:

• Dry skin
• Peeled skin
• The skin feels hot as if it is burning
• Irritation, redness, itching

Only apply the ointment to the affected area as directed by your doctor.

5.Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) ointment

The last acne ointment on this list is Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA). AHA works to treat acne by opening pores that are clogged with a combination of dead skin cells, oil (sebum), and bacteria. AHA can also further help shrink pores so that the skin is no longer prone to acne in the future.

The AHA compound itself is divided into seven derivatives, namely:

• Citric acid
• Glycolic acid
• Hydroxycaproic acid
• Hydroxycaprylic acid
• Lactic acid
• Malic acid
• Tartaric acid

Of the seven types of AHAs above, glycolic acid and lactic acid are the most promising ingredients for treating acne and cause less irritation than other AHAs.

According to the Mayo Clinic, as reported by the Healthline page, the effect of the drug usually takes about 2-3 months to see optimal results. The use of acne ointments that contain AHAs must be consistent. Because if not, the treatment process could take longer.

6. Azelic acid

The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of azelic acid ointment are reported to be effective in treating acne as well as preventing it from coming back. Azelic acid ointment is also useful for cleaning pores, minimizing the risk of acne scars forming, and disguising acne scars.

However, this ointment is actually rarely the first recommendation of a dermatologist because the way azaleic acid works tends to take a while to get rid of acne. Usually to speed up the effect of this ointment, the doctor will prescribe it together with other acne medications. Follow the dosage and directions given by your doctor when using this medicine.

Azelic acid ointment can cause several side effects such as sunburn, dryness, and flaking. Other rare side effects include irritation, swelling, tingling, fever, and difficulty breathing. Immediately consult a doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms during and after using this ointment.

Is it safe to use acne ointment by pregnant and breastfeeding women?

Acne treatment for pregnant women is different because many drugs pose a risk to the uterus, or have not been properly tested for whether or not they are safe for pregnant women. Among all that has been mentioned above, the AHA acne ointment is sure to be used in pregnant women.

However, before buying acne ointment at the pharmacy, you should still consult with your doctor first.