Acne is something that everyone observes once in their life, and to treat them we work hard and buy several products. These may include cleansing lotions, gels, foams, and towelettes, leave-on products, and treatments. But how can one know if these cosmetic products actually do what they claim?

Before you actually go and buy these cosmetic products, try to learn more about what these products are, what are their ingredients, and how they actually work. This will help you a lot to understand if a cosmetic product is actually efficient or is it just claiming it out of the blue.

Several over-the-counter Acne Treatment products can cause a serious reaction and should be used only after consulting a doctor.

What are common ingredients in Acne Treatment/Prevention Cosmetic Products?
Acne products work in different ways, depending on their active ingredients. Some acne treatment cosmetic products work by killing bacteria that cause acne inflammation. Others remove excess oil from the skin or speed up the growth of new skin cells and removal of dead skin cells. Some acne products do a combination of these things. Some of the common ingredients in these cosmetic products include;

Salicylic Acid
This ingredient helps prevent pores from becoming plugged. Cosmetic products with Salicylic Acid may have strength from 0.5% to 5%. Possible side effects include mild stinging and skin irritation.

Sulfur
Sulfur removes dead skin cells that clog pores and helps remove excess oil. It is often combined with other ingredients, such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or resorcinol. Products containing sulfur may cause dry skin. And some products have an unpleasant odor.

Benzoyl peroxide
This ingredient kills the bacteria that cause acne, helps remove excess oil from the skin, and removes dead skin cells, which can clog pores. Cosmetic products containing benzoyl peroxide are available in strengths from 2.5% to 10%. Possible side effects include dry skin, scaling, redness, burning, and stinging, especially if you have sensitive skin. Be careful when applying benzoyl peroxide, as it can bleach hair and clothing.

Alpha hydroxy acids
Two types of alpha-hydroxy acids that are used in nonprescription acne products are glycolic acid and lactic acid. Alpha hydroxy acids are synthetic versions of acids derived from sugar-containing fruits. They treat acne by helping to remove dead skin cells and reduce inflammation. 

How to choose an effective Cosmetic Product for Treating Acne?
Choosing an effective Cosmetic Product for Treating Acne depends on several factors, including your skin type, the type and severity of your acne, and your skincare preferences. Below are some general tips to keep in mind while choosing a Cosmetic Product for treating acne;

Check for Ingredients
If you are not sure which acne product to buy, start with the one that contains benzoyl peroxide. It is effective and well-tolerated by most people. Give it a few days before expecting to see results. Check product labels for the type and amount of its active ingredient. Stronger isn't always better with benzoyl peroxide. In some cases, a 2.5% product works as well as those with stronger concentrations - and with fewer side effects.

Use lower strengths cosmetic products to treat acne issues
This can help in getting rid of redness, dry skin, and other skin problems. If needed, slowly - over several weeks - increase the strength of the product you use and how often you use it. This helps your skin adjust to the treatment gradually.

Check products with different active ingredients
Acne ingredients work in different ways, so you may find it helpful to use varying products and ingredients to treat stubborn acne. Apply one product in the morning and a different one at night to prevent skin irritation.

Experiment with what works
You may need to try different products with varying active ingredients before you find what works for you.

What are skin care tips while using acne products?
While treating acne, cosmetic products a just a part of the overall treatment process. You should take care of your skin as well while using the products. Some of the tips that you can use are as follows;

1. Wash problem areas with a good facewash twice daily. This helps in reducing oil accumulation on your skin and hence reducing acne breakouts.
2. Pat dry your face after taking a bath washing your face. This is important because your face gets scratched when you rub the towel on your face, which again forces the face to produce oil.
3. Avoid oily cosmetics.
4. Don't touch your face too often.

Conclusion
How effective an acne-treating cosmetic product depends on several factors. Therefore, one needs to learn how to read ingredients. Most of the products that we see in market have some of these ingredients and it is always better to consult a skin specialist doctor if you are in confusion.