If paying a dermatologist and buying acne prescriptions is becoming cost-prohibitive, you need to think of other options. You might think about trying over-the-counter acne medications. Are these products safe? The proper use of over-the-counter acne drugs can help you treat your acne and you can easily avoid the negative outcomes that some people experience while trying to cure their acne problem.

For the majority of sufferers these treatments can be effectively administered at home. However, they are only suitable for mild acne problems. Professional guidance should be sought for those with a serious acne problem.

If plain soap and water seem to have little benefit, then you may wish to move on to alternate products. The shelves of any pharmacy are filled with medicated soaps, creams and other treatments. Remember to read the label and precisely follow the directions. If you expose your skin to the chemicals for excessive periods of time, they will have adverse effects on your skin.

It can take up to a couple of weeks for your results to become apparent. This can be frustrating when you are trying home remedies. Do not rush and use too much of an acne treatment product, as overuse can lead to far more damage to your skin.

Perhaps you are familiar with salicylic acid which is another treatment often used at home and common in facial wipes and pads. Salicyclic acid, if used properly, is an excellent tool to combat pimples and unclog your pores. When using salicyclic acid products, however, be careful, because improper use can do more harm to your skin than good.

Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid have been found to be useful in the treatment of acne. But they must be used very carefully and sparingly.