More than 16 million Americans deal with common acne. Accordingly, pharmaceutical companies and cosmetic manufacturers have targeted this huge market, developing an overwhelming amount of skin care products targeted at getting you clean and clear.

Here, we'll touch on fads, brand names, types of acne products and what ingredients should be found in the best acne products to help you get a handle of that daunting cleansers aisle. When you are done reading, you will have a broad knowledge base of the different non acne medication options at your finger tips.

Over the Counter Acne Products

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide, one of the most used over the counter acne solutions, prevents acne by killing the bacteria P. acnes and by removing extra skin. The P. acnes bacteria cannot withstand aerobic (with oxygen) environments. By introducing oxygen into the follicle, benzoyl peroxide kills this bacteria. Unfortunately, benzoyl peroxide dries the skin and damages the skin structures due to its release of free radicals. Proactiv, a product made popular by infomercials, utilizes benzoyl peroxide in its main product line.

Salicylic Acid

Pimple products with salicylic acid as the main ingredient cause the skin to shed extra skin cells in a more effective manner, decreasing the availability of those excess cells to block pores when combined with sebum. Salicylic acid is effective when found in whitehead and blackhead products. Stridex, Noxzema and Oxy are popular brands that utilize salicylic acid in their acne lines.

Alcohol and Acetone

Alcohol and acetone are typically found together in oily skin acne treatments as toners and astringents. The alcohol kills bacteria while the acetone reduces excess oil.

Sulfur and Resorcinol

Sulfur and resorcinol are also usually sold together as an acne product. Scientists are still not sure how sulfur works on acne, even though its use as a way to become acne free has been in place for more than 50 years. Resorcinol keeps whiteheads and blackheads at bay by eliminating extra skin. The Clearsil 'Medicated' Blemish line utilizes resorcinol and sulfur.

Natural Acne Products

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a powerful antiseptic and anti-fungal when applied topically. The skin can initially be quite sensitive to tea tree oil so application should begin in low concentrations, diluted with water or aloe vera gel.

Licorice Root Extract

Licorice root extract is an antibacterial and kills the P. acnes bacteria. It also is an anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant, antioxidant and sebum inhibitor.

Garlic

Garlic is a natural antibacterial agent that also contains sulfur.

Alpine Willow Herb Extract

Alpine willow extract is a botanical source of keratolytic salicylic acid and also serves as an antimicrobial.

Helix Aspersa Muller Glycoconjugates

With regard to natural treatments, the top acne products should include this miracle serum. These glycoconjugates promote skin reparation (improving the appearance of acne scars) and better moderate the body's inflammatory response to infection. This moderating action helps reduce the amount of damaging chemicals released by white blood cells when fighting against foreign bodies, effectively shielding adjacent healthy skin against unnecessary harm. It also exfoliates the skin naturally with enzymes, preventing skin pores from becoming blocked, and cleanses the skin of bacteria without causing extreme drying.