There is a bewildering number of medications and products for curing acne being sold today. Most are sold for one reason and one reason only - to make money off good folks desperate for a cure for this terrible affliction. What you may not know is the ingredients are available in much cheaper over-the-counter products at big discount stores.

We will not name any acne treatment products in this article. Using product names is like putting a tuxedo on a gorilla. No matter what, underneath he is still a gorilla. So, we will look beneath the fancy names and packaging to reveal the most effective product applications and the key ingredients we want.

The truth about all severe acne treatments is this - No single product can cure your acne in spite of their claims. That said, there are effective ingredients that will work very well for you. We will look at them together but you will have to decide what to try on your particular level of acne blemishes based on severity and skin sensitivity.

If you are like so many acne sufferers, you already have a medicine chest full of high-priced acne products that did not work. Your money is spent but your frustration and embarrassment remains. Well, I promise I have some good news that will not drain your bank account.

Warning: If you have severe acne, painful pimples or zits, you should consult a doctor or dermatologist right away. What I share in this article and what I share on my blog just may not help you at this point.

The most effective acne control products contain some key ingredients that serve specific purposes in the control and reduction of acne. We will get to those ingredients in a moment. First, we need to look the types of delivery systems, that is, the types of products that you should be using.

Here they are:

... Face Cleanser
... Exfoliator (also known as toners)
... Skin Rejuvenating Lotion

When used in combination, you will soon be seeing a dramatic improvement in your skin. They are not a cure, no cure is known, but they certainly will reduce acne outbreaks and reduce the number of pimples, blackheads, and skin blemishes.

That is the good news, as I promised!

Now, here is how each of these can benefit you and what those very special ingredients are that you should be looking for on the labels...

Facial Cleanser or Face Wash:

You will buy a facial wash or cleanser that contains ingredients designed to fight acne bacteria. These will kill bacteria at the skin surface and deep in skin pores. They may also contain granular compounds to help clean away dead skin cells and other grime that accumulates on your skin and in your pores.

The key ingredients that make these washes and cleansers so effective are either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. You will look for one or the other ingredient. Here is why...

Benzoyl peroxide is a very effective antiseptic. Like all antiseptics, it is designed to reduce surface acne bacteria and resulting skin yeast. These come in various gels and lotions. Read the application instructions to pick a product that fits your skin type and lifestyle.

Salicylic acid is designed to inhibit dead skin cells from accumulating inside hair follicles. This action reduces clogging of skin pores. Salicylic acid also helps breakdown, both blackheads and white heads. Salicylic acid is also available in several delivery methods such as gels, lotions and medicated pads. Again, read the instructions before you buy.

Exfoliator or Skin Toner:

Our next helpful tool is the exfoliator or toner.

The primary benefits of this product are: removal of dead skin cells, unclogging of skin pores and the removal of excess skin oil. Do not miss using this product. It is necessary for blemish control when used in conjunction with the facial wash and the lotion (below). Look for either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid as ingredients.

Skin Rejuvenating Lotion:

Finally, our acne treatment regime must finish with applying a lotion designed to re-moisturize, re-hydrate, and reduce skin inflammation.

The final step is applying this lotion. You want a lotion that is oil free and one that contains benzoyl peroxide to reduce inflammation, which helps prevent future acne outbreaks.

Controlling your acne is as simple as that!

Remember to use each product as part of a whole system of daily skin care that will reduce acne, clear up your skin, and give your self image a huge boost!