Best Acne Scar Treatment

Acne plagues thousands of people around the world. From teenagers to adults on the wrong side of middle age, it is a skin disorder that is extremely common as well as very unpleasant. It is painful, distressing, and often leaves scars even after it is treated.
There are hundreds of skin-care products that claim to treat acne. Finding the right treatment for you is almost like finding a needle in a haystack. To make things a little easier for you, here is a comprehensive review of five of the best acne treatment solutions as per popular ratings.
The reviews are accurate, based on substantiate research, and are aimed at helping you make a healthy and informed choice. The five products being reviewed here are Murad Acne Complex, Proactive Acne Solutions, Clinique Acne Solutions, Clear Skin Max and Exposed Skin Care.
Murad Acne Complex
The Murad Acne Complex consists of a three-step process, which consists of a Clarifying Cleanser, an Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel, and lastly a Skin Perfecting Moisturizer. It was developed by Howard Murad and has been a popular product for treating acne breakouts.
The product has yielded mixed reviews from viewer ratings and is different from most other acne treatment products in the sense that it does not contain benzoyl peroxide, which is a leading ingredient used in most acne treatments.
The product claims to remove all signs of acne in just 4 weeks. While this is not exactly accurate, results are often visible within the second month, depending on the severity of the condition.
Pros
While the purging period does see some aggravation of the condition, the product pulls through and actually gives visible results. The moisturizer smells pleasant and does not stick. The Pore Cleansing mask that the treatment comes with is quite helpful and has a lot of positive reviews.
It uses a lot of natural extracts such as bitter orange oil, tea tree extracts, camellia leaf extract, menthol along with known acne fighters such as salicylic acid that help in curing acne without causing much damage to the skin. Spot sulfur treatment that it includes has also given positive results among a large number of users.
Cons
The purging period is extremely painful and itchy. The acne increases considerably before it is healed, if at all. Moreover, the product does not work for all skin types, and the moisturizer is not enough to help soothe the roughness and pain. Reviews have revealed that the system leaves the skin oily and shinier and that acne takes a lot of time to heal, especially if it is in its moderate or severe phase.
Verdict
The Murad Acne Complex might or might not work for you. It has mixed user ratings and though it can be helpful for minor to moderate acne, it has reportedly shown less impressive results for severe cases of acne. However it might work if you have oily skin.
Proactive Acne Solution
Proactive Acne Solutions is an extremely popular, three-step acne treatment system that consist of cleansing, toning and acne repairing. A new product that Proactive recently added to its acne treatment list is a Refining Mask.
The product was first manufactured in 1988 by Guthy-Renker, and has been a popular treatment since. According to the instructions, only a dime sized amount of cleaner, a cotton ball of toner and a pea sized amount of repairing treatment is to be used twice daily for the system to work.
Pros
The system covers blackheads, pimples, whiteheads and cures immediate acne breakouts. It reduces the visibility of pores and leaves the skin fragrant. It works well for some and leaves skin soft and supple, if the instructions are followed exactly as given.
The Refining Mask is very useful for drying up pimples since it consists of sulfur as an active ingredient, which is known to effectively kill acne causing surface bacteria. A Tea tree Moisturizer is also available as part of the kit and should definitely be used along with the system which is known to leave skin soft and dry.
Cons
The products are extremely harsh and may not yield good results, even aggravate the condition sometimes. The treatment causes excessive drying of the skin, and skin peeling has also been reported, though the exact cause of the peeling could not be determined.
Proactive is expensive, and often does not yield positive results, sometimes even after 8 weeks of regular usage. It is also not recommended for dry to normal skin at all since it completely dries out the skin and leaves it reddened and irritated.
Verdict
All in all, even though Proactive might work for some, most users have reported negative results, with no improvement in the condition whatsoever. Despite this, it continues to be a popular product. You can try it for the sheer popularity of the product.
Clinique Acne Solutions
Clinique is a well known brand and has allergy tested and medically approved skin care products that are very effective in treating skin problems. Clinique Acne Solutions Skin Care Treatment uses gentle exfoliation and cleansing to unclog the clogged pores of your skin to reduce the dirt build up which causes acne. It is gentle on the skin, and does not contain any oily or smelly substances that could affect the skin negatively.
Pros
It uses salicylic acid as its main ingredient for acne treatment, which is popular for its anti-acne properties. The system consists of a cleanser, a gentle exfoliator and a lotion, which contains benzoyl peroxide.
It clears acne by reducing oil secretion and improves the complexion with repeated use. The supplementary skin care products that Clinique offers are helpful in reducing blemishes and scars left by acne. "Even Better" is one such product that specializes in treating acne.
The company also has spot treatment products that zap away almost all the pimples in the shortest possible time. The product claims to remove acne in 6 weeks, and leave skin softer and clearer.
Cons
6 weeks is a longer period than that is promised by most acne treatment solutions. Most treatments claim to yield results within the first month of usage. There is no clear list of all anti acne ingredients used in this product since no official description or list is provided.
It is good for curing sudden breakouts but does not hold out well in the long run. Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are both not enough to treat acne in its core and there are no other primary anti acne agents, natural or otherwise in the system.
Verdict
The product sells on its brand name however does not live up to expectations. The product website does not give any detailed description of the anti-acne treatment, or about the ingredients that are used for making it.
There are variety of other products in the market that might offer better results at lower prices and are all-natural. While Clinique works to remove a pimple here and a zit there, it fails to target the core problem of acne break outs. It can be used as an effective immediate spot treatment solution though.
Clear Skin Max
A relatively new member of the anti acne treatment family, Clear Skin Max is still proving its mettle in the skin care industry. Till now it has had some very positive reviews due to its new and all natural approach towards fighting acne.
Clear Skin Max was designed as an alternative for those who did not want to subject their already damaged skin to further chemical damage. It uses natural ingredients that help in reducing inflammation, acne, and irritation without causing any side effects or without excessive drying of the skin.
Pros
Since the skin is naturally sensitive and acne inflicted skin gets further damaged with chemical treatment, products with natural ingredients are always a plus. Clear Skin Max uses anti-acne tea tree oils to control acne which have been reported to show immediate results in reducing inflammation.
Chamomile oil and bladder wrack are also used to treat acne without causing any harm to the skin. Not only does the product treat acne but it also leaves skin softer. Better still, it does not contain any harsh chemicals that cause drying of the skin.
Chamomile oil is effective in reducing scars and blemishes left by acne and since it is also an anti-bacterial agent, it also prevents acne naturally by fighting bacteria. Another plus point of the system is that it contains bladder wrack which is known not only for its anti-acne properties but also because it restores elasticity to the skin, helping the skin remain youthful and smooth.
It also uses natural products like hyaluronic acid, which is a known youth restorative, jojoba oil and others that maintains the moisture levels of the skin. These natural extracts not only fight acne but also strengthen the skin from inside and thus prevent breakouts, apart from clearing the skin of acne and its scars.
Cons
The ingredients are not used in high quantities in the product, which sometimes may not be enough to treat acne. Severe acne might not be easily treated with natural ingredients, since they require stronger ingredients that directly aim at reducing acne.
Even though the 6-step system is designed to fight and destroy acne right from its roots, it will really take a long time to heal for those who suffer from severe cases of acne. The negative aspect of this point again depends on how patient the user is even though the product yields guaranteed results.
Verdict
Clear Skin Max is a complete product that not only helps fight acne but also helps to protect and strengthen the skin. It is great for mild to moderate acne as well as adult acne and has been reported to have minimal side effects. It uses natural ingredients that have no reported side effects and the product enjoys great reviews by most users.
Exposed Skin Care Acne Treatment
This acne treatment system consists of 6 different products, a facial cleanser, that cleanses and exfoliates the skin, a clearing tonic that claims to delve deep inside the clogged skin pores and opens them up so that the dirt and grime can escape.
Then there is the Acne treatment Serum, which is the main repairing product that consists of benzoyl peroxide, a well-known anti acne element. A Clear Pore serum also comes with the system and is to be used at night; it works nocturnally to unclog your pores and clear skin. The last two products consist of a Clarifying mask which is to be used twice a week at most, and a Microderm scrub, that has anti oxidants for deep pore exfoliation.
Pros
It uses Azelaic acid, a known anti bacterial component as its primary ingredient, which clears acne by killing bacteria which is the main cause of acne. It also contains a 3.5% concentration of benzoyl acid, which is a popular ingredient in several anti-acne treatments.
It deeply exfoliates skin to keep out all the unwanted oil and dirt from the pores. This enhances your skin and helps to keep it free from acne.
Cons
Azelaic acid has many known side effects such as skin irritation, and unwanted hair growth. Many users have reported an increase in the quantity of facial hair after repeated use of products containing high concentrations of azelaic acid.
Also, the product lists tea tree oil as one of the leading ingredients, which can only be considered as a subsidiary product since it only aids treatment without playing any substantial role in the actual process.
The 3.5% benzoyl peroxide concentration is not enough to fight acne, the standard requirement being 5% to 8% concentration. Severe cases of acne cannot be treated well with this range of products.
Moreover the customer service is reportedly unresponsive, thus you might face a problem if you choose to pursue the money back guarantee at all.
Verdict
In conclusion, it can be said that this is a good product to use for those with mild acne but it does not work well for treating severe acne. Moreover many other products are available in the market that uses natural ingredients. Organic products are always a better option. This is another product that can be used to treat mild acne.
However keep in mind that treating acne requires not just medication but also a healthy lifestyle. Proper diet, nutrition, exercise, sleep, hydration and hygiene are extremely important for a clear and healthy skin.
Medications can only work when coupled with a healthy lifestyle. So if you are plagued with acne, first, change your lifestyle, and then clear your acne with the help of the perfect product for you, which you can pick with the help of these reviews.

What is the best spot treatment for acne? Well that depends on a number of things. Is your acne primarily white heads or black heads? Do you have surface acne? Is the acne more deeply inside your skin? Is the acne more like an internal cyst or is it more of a surface blemish? Are dealing with a spot or does the acne consist more of patchy area of acne? Is it before bedtime, or early in the morning? Are you going to put makeup on after your acne treatment? Do you have sensitive skin? How about acne scarring? Is your skin normally oily or dry?
In determining the best spot treatment for acne, you need to consider all of the above things. Ok, now let's look at teenage and adult acne from a different point of view. Acne is created when a pore gets clogged up with excess oil, dirt, dead cells, etc. You get the white heads and black heads with a little bit of swelling, or just simply and little red swollen blemish area. With no place to go, this gunk plugs up the pore, and may become infected. This infection then reddens the area more and becomes larger and more noticeable. You may even get a more deep rooted infected area called an acne cyst. Now you have a temptation to squeeze the zit with a satisfying pop, but now you may have introduced more bacteria to the area, and pushed more gunk deeper inside your skin. Gross! You have a hot date the next day or big function, but there is a big zit right on your forehead. Aaaaaaah! Chrysis time!
Quick - I need the best spot treatment for acne. Like I said, it is not that simple. There are a few more things you need to know about acne, acne treatment. First of all, you need to wash your face at least two times a day, to remove any excess oil. There are some products that will also help to remove this excess oil, including benzoyl peroxide, Salicylic acid, resorcinol, and some sulfur containing products. In various ways and degrees these products help to dry your skin of oils, kill bacteria, and exfoliate some of the affected areas. In order of strength, benzoyl peroxide is considered the strongest and is used to treat the deepest acne. Benzoyl peroxide also tends to dry your skin more, which may result in dryer patchy area that has been treated. Salicylic acid is considered as not as strong as benzoyl peroxide and may be better for people with more sensitive skin. The sulfur products are a good match for more of the lighter surface blemishes, and are better for sensitive skin. This includes the most common acne skin care products on the market.
The best spot treatment of acne in the less conventional category, you will hear about Tea Tree Oil. The main benefit of Tea Tree Oil is there are fewer side effects than using benzoyl peroxide, such as excessive skin drying, itchiness, etc. Tea Tree Oil works by killing the bacteria in the acne. The best acne treatment with Tea Tree Oil is to first wash your face or use an astringent like Witch Hazel to clean your face and remove excess oil. Now apply the Tea Tree Oil to kill the bacteria on the skin and in the pores.
Can I eat chocolate and without causing more acne? The answer is a qualified yes!!! The main point is to reduce the amount of refined sugars you are taking in, as well as eating food with a lower glycemic index. Foods high in refined sugar, as well as too many dairy products may increase the likelihood of getting acne.
Do I need to get a prescription medicine for treating acne, or will an over the counter medication work for me? Try the over-the-counter medications first, along with a good face cleaning practices. You can use an astringent for cleaning your skin and removing oils. You may also consider a periodic use of a defoliant to remove old dead skin. Some exfoliates use a chemical process, some with a salt or sugar base work by abrasion. I hate to call it liquid sandpaper, but use of some exfoliates is more of a mechanical action than chemical. Some men have less acne due to daily shaving of their skin. No ladies, you don't have to start shaving! Along with this skin cleaning and oil removal, use a product to kill the bacteria. Start with Tea Tree Oil, since it is mild, before using something stronger. This is a good catch-all anti-acne practice.
Ok, I still have that one big zit I need to remove of cover-up before tomorrow. What is the best spot treatment for acne? The best spot treatment for acne is what works best for you. This is the reality here. Below, I will list in no particular order a variety of acne treatment products. Based on the information above, you can learn more about these products and make an intelligent decision about what will work best for you.
1. Tea Tree Oil (kills bacteria)
2. Clearasil (cleans, exfoliates)
3. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion (contains Salicylic acid, claims to shrink whiteheads overnight, for all skin types)
4. Mary Kay's Acne Gel (good reviews on Amazon)
5. CLARISONIC (this is an electric skin cleaning brush, like a big electric toothbrush, along with a skin cleansing "clarifier". Basically, this system cleans and exfoliates. At $169 it is kind of expensive, but is worth considering if you have a persistent acne problem.
6. Lush's Grease Lightning (this appears to be a very good product, as a cleaner, dryer, skin moisturizer, and antibacterial. This includes Tea Tree Oil, and grape oils to treat dry skin. At $12.95, this is a buy!)
7. BOSCIA has a clear complexion treatment. It claims to control oil, purify and refine pores, and maintain a clear complexion.
8. Murad has several acne kits that include a clarifying cleanser, exfoliating acne treatment get, and skin perfecting lotion, whatever that is.
9. Kiehl's AcneBlemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment (this appears to be another cleaning product, with mixed reviews)
10.Clinique Acne Solutions 3 step system. This consists of cleaning foam, a clarifying lotion, and an oil free moisturizer. The clarifying lotion may include of Salicylic acid, so in this kit you are cleaning, killing bacteria, and countering the drying effect on your skin with a moisturizer.
11. Dermalogica has a number of products that are marketed to the adult market. What is interesting here is you can go on their website and take a quick survey and have specific products recommended. This is worth a look, if you need to take care of acne fast, and do it right the first time.
12. Burt's Bee's Blemish stick: There is no honey or bees in this product, but it does include 10 herbal ingredients, tea tree oil, and juniper oil. This product cleans, exfoliates, and kills bacteria. It appears to have gotten some good reviews. Worth checking out.
13. EXFOLIAC NC GEL FOR ACNE PRONE SKIN. This product appears to be a skin cleaner, oil remover, and exfoliate. May clear up skin in two days.
14. Nuetrogena has a series of products and has gotten many good reviews. Like Dermalogica, Nuetrogena has a website you can go on to target the best spot treatment for acne or any other acne treatment you need. Nuetrogena is definitely a one stop shop for acne treatment.
15. Origins Spot Remover. This product has received good reviews. It contains Salicylic acid, so it will kill the bacteria in the pimple and work the same degree as other products with salicylic acid.
I could continue with this list, with so many products claiming to be the best spot treatment for acne. What works best for you?

1. Acne and pimples are the same thing
Myth
Anyone who suffers from acne already knows the truth about this one. A minor breakout is probably because you have been burning the midnight oil or are a bit hormonal. Acne is a dermatological condition that needs treatment as early as you spot it (no pun intended). There are 5 different kinds of acne, ranging from moderate to severe and while the most common (acne vulgaris) can be treated with hormones, not all types can be. Some can even be made worse, so make sure you see a dermatologist who can treat your acne effectively.
2. Acne is just for kids
Myth
A quarter of male acne sufferers and half of female acne sufferers are adults. Most had the condition in their teens but many had clear skin all through their teens and only developed acne in their twenties, thirties and even forties.
3. Washing more will help
Half-true
One study of acne found that not washing at all made acne worse but washing four times a day had the same ill-effect. The best approach was to use a mild cleanser twice and day, morning and evening. Adult acne in previously clear-skinned people may be caused by not keeping the skin clean. Dead skin cells mix with skins natural sebum and block the pores. While the acne may not improve through cleansing alone, keeping your skin gently clean makes sure that you don't exacerbate the condition.
4. You're just being vain
Myth
Not only can acne leave physical and emotional scars, it may be a sign of a more serious hormonal imbalance. Adult acne sufferers who had clear skin as teenagers are advised to be tested for abnormally high levels of testosterone (the hormone thought to be primarily responsible for acne).
5. Sunlight gives you clear skin
Half-true
In some cases it can, but not when dealing with acne. Psoriasis has been known to respond well to UV light, but sunlight is only a temporary relief from acne. After prolonged exposure to the sun, the skin may backlash and make acne worse. There are also the small matters of skin cancer and aging to consider, so make sure you keep using sun screen. There are some that are better for acne sufferers than others (see our tips on acne treatments below).
6. Sugar gives you acne
Myth
Sugar won't help you make friends with your dentist, but it won't make much difference to your acne treatment. Common sense suggests that a healthy diet, plenty of rest and exercise will lower your stress levels and improve your fitness, which never hurt. Also, excessive consumption of some preservatives and additives that are often found in sugary foods have been linked to hormonal imbalances, but sugar by itself is not the enemy.
7. Keep your hair off your face
Myth
Mums say this because you like the way you look and wish you wouldn't hide your face. The oil from your hair won't make acne worse as long as you are keeping your skin gently cleaned. Just make sure you're not hiding behind your hair - it sounds like a cliche but confidence really does make people more attractive than any other quality.
8. It will just disappear one day.
Myth
Although some cases of acne eventually disappear by themselves, even the most aggressive treatments will take 6-8 weeks to show any results. Even after this amount of time you may not see any improvement as acne treatment is often a case of trial and error for dermatologists and their patients. Everyone is different and finding the perfect combination of approaches may take some time.
9. Acne is inherited
Myth
The only thing that is inherited is the amount of testosterone (and other androgen-type hormones) that a person produces. If you develop acne, no-one will be able to tell you why and be suspicious of anyone who does - they may just be trying to sell you a "miracle cure".
So what can I do about it?
There are a number of chemical and natural ways to combat acne. Try these after you've spoken to a good dermatologist, he or she will be able to help you decide the combination of treatments that suit you best.
Topical Creams
Available over the counter, you've probably used a few of these. They are designed to unblock pores so that your skins natural oils can move and be disposed of the way your skin intended. Pretty much anything containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid is good for mild cases of acne, in teenagers and adults. This is especially true when the cream is blended with an antibiotic. Make sure you use a sunscreen that is suitable for acne. You may need to drop the protection factor down from 30 to 15 or thereabouts to get away from the heavy greasy creams. Look for a sunscreen that comes in a gel or spray and contains an ingredient called Mexoryl (either the X or FX varieties) as these won't clog your pores.
Prescription medications
For more severe cases, these will either be hormones or antibiotics and are often used over a couple of years to control and improve acne. Men often suffer from worse cases of acne than women because they produce more testosterone and prescription medications are more commonly used for men than for women. Acne medications containing the ingredient Isotretinoin are commonly prescribed but if you are a woman considering this treatment, be aware that it has been linked to severe birth defects so ask your dermatologist plenty of questions and make sure you feel comfortable with the information. The Pill is one option for women and has been proven to effectively combat some forms of acne.
Natural Treatments
Natural is a word that must be approached with caution. Mother Nature gave us many cures but also many poisons. There are also many 'natural' therapies whose ingredient list reads like the inventory of a chemical laboratory! Listed here are a few commonly used natural acne treatments but use your common sense and if you don't know what it is, don't put it in your body.
Witch-hazel: An all-purpose astringent used as a toner. This one is completely safe at the dosages found in most cosmetic products, but that may mean it's too diluted to be an effective acne treatment. It does feel lovely on the skin after cleansing though.
Tea-tree oil: Can be great for treating occasional outbreaks of acne, but will probably be too harsh to skin to use for too long. Also, tea-tree oil can be damaging if you are taking acne medication as they may react and cause inflammation.
Oats: Not only do they taste great for breakfast, but oats used in a facial scrub (gently, please) provide a light exfoliant and antiseptic properties.
Vitamin A: Great for the eyesight but unfortunately toxic if taken at the dosage you need to combat acne.
Cosmetic surgery
An extreme approach to acne and acne scars, this usually involves dermabrasion or micro-dermabrasion with follow-up treatments that involve further sessions and take-home creams. Other options include laser treatment or light treatment. These may dramatically reduce acne, but all have potential side-effects as well as being expensive. If you choose this method of treating acne, research as many cosmetic surgery practitioners as you can, ask lots of questions and don't ever feel rushed.

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