When acne flares up, it brings with it frustration. Whether you call them pimples, zits or poppers, they’re unwelcome additions to any complexion, and any body part they may frequent: Face, shoulders, back, chest—acne is truly a nuisance.

The question remains: How does one get rid of acne, when it seems like nothing has worked in the past. There are a variety of acne creams available for sale without a prescription, but do they actually do the trick, or will they only work for the mildest of acne cases?

How Does Acne Cream Work?

There are a variety of acne creams available in nearly every retail and health and beauty specialty store. What you probably want to know: Which acne cream is the best? In truth, there may not be any one brand that is far superior to another—much will depend on the active ingredient for fighting acne, as well as additives put into the acne cream for moisturizing and promoting healthy skin.

Most acne creams come over-the-counter and contain the active ingredient, benzoyl peroxide. Others will contain an ingredient known as salicylic acid. Both are effective in treating acne, yet when used properly, benzoyl peroxide is a far more versatile acne cream ingredient.

There are also acne creams prescribed by dermatologists as well as primary care physicians, the most common being Tretinoin, or Retin-A. This is a common acne cream, effective to reduce acne, but is also used as a topical aid to help reduce the appearance and effect of wrinkles.

Benzoyl Peroxide – How Acne Creams Work

As mentioned, benzoyl peroxide is an incredibly versatile acne cream. Ultimately, it can be purchased in “generic” form, and the 2.5 percent concentration will often work wonders on acne when used liberally. Often, people will use a benzoyl peroxide acne cream as a spot treatment—this greatly decreases the power of the acne treatment.

When used liberally, all over the face and other acne-prone areas, benzoyl peroxide will help in many ways. When applied to the skin, benzoyl peroxide creates an oxidized environment, virtually making it impossible for the P-acne bacteria to thrive on the surface of the skin.

Benzoyl peroxide also acts as a cleansing agent and drying agent, helping to clean and clear excess sebum from the surface of the skin, as well as helping to remove it from pores. When used regularly, this type of acne cream will also help the skin to shed layers, making them more easily removed during an exfoliation—a great and necessary step to any skin care regimen.

Salicylic Acid – How Acne Creams Work

Salicylic acid sounds harsh, and sounds like it is the type of acne cream that would work into pores and really give a nasty zit a battle. In truth, salicylic acid is a far more gentle acne treatment, usually found in gels and creams. It is derived from the willow tree, and is a natural product that is used in many medical forms. Most popularly it isn’t even used for treating acne. It is still a main ingredient in products such as Pepto Bismol and other products used to calm an upset stomach.

When using it on the skin, salicylic acid is very effective in helping to break down dead skin cells, allowing them to shed easier. When used in conjunction with a good exfoliating face wash, it can be quite effective in helping remove one of the three main causes of acne.