The best acne treatment is different for everyone. Acne is a universal affliction that doesn't discriminate on the basis of race or nationality. If you suffer from acne, you definitely shouldn't feel alone. However, the most effective acne treatment can vary greatly from person to person. Massive amounts of money are spent annually by pharmaceutical companies searching for the most effective acne treatments.

Unfortunately, so far no real cure has been found for acne. The best one can hope for is to find options that help prevent, reduce or control the acne outbreaks. Many companies have developed chemically based over the counter acne remedies which are partially effective, and cosmetic companies have produced make-up to conceal the blemishes. A few of these products can cost quite a bit, and usually the treatment needs to be ongoing. Often insurance won't pay for these treatments, so the sufferer has to cover it.

The first step is a visit to your doctor to establish which type of acne you are suffering from. They should also be able to confirm your skin type. This is important as cream based treatments should not be used on oily skin, while gel based products are not the best option for dry skin.

For those who have severe acne, it's probably best to consult a dermatologist. They should be well informed of any new acne treatments that may be better for your particular case. They might also give you different sample medications to find what works best for your type of acne. Many insurance companies will cover this type of treatment.

Many conventional skin care treatments for acne invariably make the problem worse, sometimes they contain sulfur, resorcinol or benzyl peroxide, which can cause dry skin because of the way they dissolve oil. Your skin may no longer be oily but your acne will remain because your skin is too dry. Instead of solving the problem you've actually added another because dry skin is more susceptible to developing fine lines and wrinkles which can accelerate the aging process. Simply washing your face with a mild antibacterial soap may be just as effective and doesn't make matters worse. The incidence of acne would probably be reduced if people stopped using harsh chemicals and other such skin products. Switching to mild skin care products that don't damage your skin could save yourself or your teenager the discomfort of further acne problems. This is also true for acne treatment during pregnancy.

Natural remedies for acne can be found in nutrition and health food stores. They are made with herbs and vitamins that have long been known to be beneficial for the skin. Many contain niacin, or vitamin A. Zinc products are also known to promote clear healthy looking skin. Some people recommend home remedies such as orange peel pureed in water which is applied directly to the affected area, and also lemon juice. Some use coriander combined with turmeric, grated cucumber or crushed garlic applied directly to the skin as a homeopathic remedy. Home or herbal remedies are usually safer for acne treatment than harsh over the counter or prescription drugs but you still need to be careful and possibly consult your dermatologist about their use.

In conclusion, the ideal acne treatment is one which doesn't just tackle the acne problem from the outside, but also cleanses your body from the inside as well. The most effective acne treatment will be different for everyone. Again be very careful of using prescription drugs - they are thought to lead to depression in some people. However, for some they may be the best acne solution.