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Home » Topics A–Z » Topical treatment for acne
Author: Hon Assoc Prof Amanda Oakley, Dermatologist, Hamilton, New Zealand, 2009.
Topical treatment for acne is available as washes, solutions, lotions, gels and creams. They may have a single or multiple active ingredients. There are numerous products available in supermarkets and pharmacies. Some require a doctor's prescription.
Ingredient | Properties |
---|---|
adapalene | topical retinoid: keratolytic |
alpha hydroxy acid (fruit acids) | keratolytic |
azelaic acid | antiseptic, keratolytic |
bentonite | clay used to absorb excess sebum |
benzoyl peroxide | antiseptic, keratolytic |
cetrimide | antiseptic |
chlorhexidine | antiseptic |
clindamycin | antibiotic |
erythromycin | antibiotic |
green tea | anti-inflammatory |
hydrogen peroxide | antiseptic |
immune defense proteins | antibacterial, anti-inflammatory |
hydrogen peroxide | antiseptic |
isotretinoin | retinoid |
methyl salicylate | keratolytic, anti-inflammatory |
nicotinamide | reduces sebum, anti-inflammatory |
retinol | retinoid |
resorcinol | antiseptic, keratolytic |
retinoid | retinoids affect keratinisation and are keratolytic |
salicylic acid | comedolytic, keratolytic and anti-inflammatory |
sulfacetamide | antiseptic |
sulfur | antiseptic, keratolytic |
tea tree oil | antiseptic |
tezarotene | topical retinoid |
tretinoin | topical retinoid |
triclosan | antiseptic |
vitamin a | alternative name for retinol |
zinc | anti-inflammatory |
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