The active ingredients in acne preparations will determine the mechanism by which the spots are treated. There are a growing range of active ingredients that help address acne, but there are 5 well established compounds that are frequently used. These include:

1.Benzoyl peroxide is by far the most common ingredient in a host of branded acne creams. The concentration of this chemical starts at around 2.5% in low strength creams, peaking at around 5% in some of the stronger treatments. It works by aggressively killing the bacteria that are one of the causes of acne, by releasing oxygen into the pores where the bacteria live and breed. Benzoyl peroxide based creams can cause cause irritation, reddening and flaking of the skin, which is clearly the last thing you need, when trying to treat your acne. This is why it is often better to start with a