Many teens suffer from unsightly blemishes as their hormones fluctuate during puberty, and there is an acne treatment for every teen's skincare needs. However, many adults are faced with pimples as well, and it is much more difficult to find a proper acne treatment for more mature skin. Acne is typically caused by one of three sources: excess oil production by the sebaceous glands which both clogs pores and carries bacteria that irritates the skin, heredity, and/or an increase in the hormone androgen. Typically, an acne treatment comes in the form of either topical (on the skin) or oral remedies. But, the skincare industry is jam packed with gimmicky ads and flashy packaging, so consumers should always examine the ingredients in an acne treatment and discuss which product would be best with their primary care physician or dermatologist.

An acne treatment should perform three critical functions. First, the product should attack existing blemishes without over-drying the skin. While a person can purchase an acne treatment with a high level of blemish-fighting active ingredients, if the skin loses its natural moisture balance because of the acne treatment, the sebaceous glands will react by producing more oil. This will, in turn, produce even more pimples. Secondly, the product should help to prevent future blemishes from forming. This can be done when a certain level of active ingredients is reached in the layers of skin, or if an oral treatment is being used, when hormone levels are stable. Lastly, an acne treatment should help the skin maintain a natural moisture balance. Too much oil production can create pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads, but too little moisture causes the skin to scale and flake, as well as the sebaceous glands to work overtime to make up the difference. When an acne treatment is found that performs all three functions, an individual is certain to see results.