Blemishes, a nice way of referring to the unsightly pimples that arise if you suffer from acne, can make your complexion look bumpy and red. Several over-the-counter creams can help you battle blemishes for a clearer, healthier complexion thanks to effective active ingredients that exfoliate the skin or help to kill the underlying bacteria that cause the blemishes.
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Anti-Blemish Clear Skin Cream
Treat wrinkles and blemishes with Neutrogena's 2-in-1 cream. Cosmetics and skincare expert Paula Begoun rated the cream as "very good," liking it for its "antioxidant-rich" formula that helps combat signs of aging and protects against future skin damage. Meanwhile, standard emollients keep your skin firm and hydrated while salicylic acid acts as a pore exfoliator and helps minimize the appearance of new blemishes.
- Treat wrinkles and blemishes with Neutrogena's 2-in-1 cream.
- Meanwhile, standard emollients keep your skin firm and hydrated while salicylic acid acts as a pore exfoliator and helps minimize the appearance of new blemishes.
MD Skincare All-Over Blemish Solution
The Best Glycolic Acid Products
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MD Skincare's all-over treatment uses salicylic acid to penetrate your pores and clear out excess oil, according to "Real Simple" magazine's beauty editors who picked it as one of the top acne products available 2. Not only can it help you manage your acne, but it can also help to eliminate blackheads for an overall improved complexion.
Clearasil Ultra Vanishing Acne Treatment Cream
"InStyle" magazine's beauty editors called Clearasil's acne cream a "powerful blemish blaster," thanks to its high concentration of bacteria-killing benzoyl peroxide 3. Its acids also help to exfoliate your skin surface for a potentially smoother, more even complexion and less rough skin.
Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer
Products in Drugstores That Have Glycolic Acid
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Begoun says Aveeno's blemish-fighting cream will entice "anyone suffering from...breakouts." It contains salicylic acid to help exfoliate your skin surface and clear away problematic acne, plus moisturizing emollients to keep your skin from drying out. Natural extracts like soy may also help correct uneven skin tone, which can be a problem if you have acne scars.
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References
- "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me"; Paula Begoun; 2009
- Real Simple Magazine: What Are Those Ingredients in Your Skin-Care Products?
- InStyle Magazine: Clearasil
- Gollnick HP, Zouboulis CC. Not all acne is acne vulgaris. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2014;111(17):301-12. https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2014.0301
- Elsaie ML. Hormonal treatment of acne vulgaris: an update. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2016;9:241-8. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S114830
- Zeichner JA, Baldwin HE, Cook-bolden FE, Eichenfield LF, Fallon-friedlander S, Rodriguez DA. Emerging Issues in Adult Female Acne. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(1):37-46. PMID:28210380
- Gollnick HP, Zouboulis CC. Not all acne is acne vulgaris. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2014;111(17):301-12.
- Tanghetti EA. The role of inflammation in the pathology of acne. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2013;6(9):27-35. PMID:24062871
- Elsaie ML. Hormonal treatment of acne vulgaris: an update. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2016;9:241-8.
- Questions and Answers About Acne. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Jan 2016. National Institutes of Health.
- Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, Alikhan A, Baldwin HE, et. al. Guidelines of Care for the Management of Acne Vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 74.5 (2016): 945-73. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037
Writer Bio
Joshua Duvauchelle is a certified personal trainer and health journalist, relationships expert and gardening specialist. His articles and advice have appeared in dozens of magazines, including exercise workouts in Shape, relationship guides for Alive and lifestyle tips for Lifehacker. In his spare time, he enjoys yoga and urban patio gardening.