If ??u happen to be one ?f th? 85% of th? population affected b? acne, I'm willing t? bet that ?ou have played ?r?und w?th mor? th?n one over-the-counter acne treatments available. A lot ?f the?e products are not "miracle cures" ?t all - many of th?m ?re over-priced solutions w?th no effect, ?nd oth?rs ma? ev?n worsen y?ur condition. This article will discuss the many reasons why most acne products from the shelf are actually not effective at curing acne, but rather are there to simply conceal the acne and do not offer a long term cure.

There ?s no over-the-counter cream that ??n clear your acne. mo?t ?f th?m ?nly kill th? bacteria, temporarily, reducing th? redness. They are not permanent solutions for blackheads ?nd ?th?r acne symptoms. In th? long run, what ?ou n??d t? d? ?s t? correct th? problem causing your acne.

One major flaw with m??t acne treatment products, ?? th?t differ?nt skin types react d?fferent to the ??m? product. The fact th?t a specific product worked for ??ur brother d???n't me?n ?t will work for you. If you us? ? product that ?s not r?ght for y?ur skin type, it'? very l?kely to c?u?e itching, dryness ?nd peeling wh?ch will onl? increase th? strength ?f th? break-out.

Here are s?me tips and guidelines to properly caring for y?ur affected skin areas:

•     For women, th? acne problem usually worsens about 2-7 days bef?re th? menstrual flow due to the flare-ups ?n y?ur hormone levels
•     If ?ou rub, squeeze and touch y?ur blemishes a lot, y?u ar? ?nl? worsening the situation. Rubbing ?nd squeezing c?n easily make your blemishes bigger ?nd m?re painful
•     When y?u wash ??ur face, don't scrub ?t hard as th?t will caus? friction on the affected area, causing blackheads.
•     If you wash gently w?th water, ?n ?n upward circular motion, ?ou hel? opening up ?nd cleaning th? pores ?f dirt.
•     When y?u dry y?ur face aft?r washing it, dry it gently by patting th? face with ? soft towel.
•     Always wash out th? shampoo thouroughly aft?r washing your hair. Residues ?f shampoo ??n c?u?e acne outbreaks on your face and neck.