More than half of the population is affected by acne. The skin care market is packed with so many different acne skin care products that there are moments when it seems impossible to choose which is best for you.

In general, treatments for acne consist of reducing sebum production, removing dead skin cells and killing bacteria with topical or oral medication. The appropriate treatment, however, depends on two key factors: whether your acne is mild, moderate or severe and what type of skin you have.

As a general rule of thumb, hygiene and over the counter medication should be enough to help control mild to moderate acne. Severe acne, on the other hand, should be treated by a professional in order to avoid risking the development of acne scars.

Skin type is an important factor when it comes to choosing the right acne skin care products. Therefore, the first thing you must do is determine what type of skin you have. Once you know your skin type, it will be much easier to find the appropriate products.

Oily and dry skin are easy to identify. Combination skin will usually present dry skin around the cheeks and oily skin around the forehead, nose, and chin area. Oily and combination skin are both more prone to breakouts due to the excessive sebum.

Acne Skin Care Products & Skin Type

No matter what your skin type, you should avoid products with alcohol. Oily skin types are more resistant to this type of product, however, the alcohol they contain tends to dry out the skin and lead to irritation. Acne bacteria can easily enter damaged or weak skin and lead to infection.

Water based products are an excellent choice for oily skin and combination skin. They absorb quickly and rarely lead to irritation. Make sure that the acne product you choose also contains salicylic acid.

This component is excellent for controlling the production of sebum and for regulating cell shedding. Both of these situations are lead to clogged pores, which in turn lead to pimples and acne breakouts. Salicylic acid can penetrate the pore and help remove the debris that has clogged it.

If you have dry skin, acne is more likely to appear beneath the surface of the skin. In order to take proper care of your skin and avoid annoying problems, you should follow a daily cleansing routine. In addition, you should take care and modify your skin care regimen according to the season.

During the colder months of the year, your skin can become cracked and exposed to bacteria. By using a thick, creamy moisturizer you should be able to neutralize this problem. Reapply your moisturizer frequently during the day.

During the summer add a product containing retinoic acid. This ingredient is known to irritate dry skin, so when applying, use a moisturizer to keep irritation to a minimum.