More than 16 million Americans deal with common acne. Accordingly, pharmaceutical companies and cosmetic manufacturers have targeted this huge market, developing an overwhelming amount of skin care products targeted at getting you clean and clear.

In this article, we will cover fads, brands, types of acne products and ingredients that are found in the best acne products to help you tackle that daunting cleansers aisle. When you are done reading, you will have a broad knowledge base of the different non acne medication options at your finger tips.

Over the Counter Acne Products

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide, one of the most common over the counter acne solutions, works by killing the acne-causing bacteria P. acnes and by removing excess skin cells. The P. acnes bacteria cannot live in an aerobic (with oxygen) environment. By putting oxygen into the follicle, benzoyl peroxide destroys the bacteria. Unfortunately, benzoyl peroxide dries the skin and damages the skin structures due to its release of free radicals. Proactiv's infomercial has made their product popular; their main product line utilizes benzoyl peroxide.

Salicylic Acid

Pimple products with salicylic acid assist the skin in shedding excess skin cells more efficiently, thereby reducing the likelihood that skin cells will combine with sebum and form pore-clogging keratin. Salicylic acid is used as the main ingredient for many whitehead and blackhead products. Popular brands that use salicylic acid include Noxzema, Oxy and Stridex.

Alcohol and Acetone

Alcohol and acetone are typically found together in oily skin acne treatments as toners and astringents. The acetone reduces oil found on the skin while the alcohol helps to moderate the amount of bacteria.

Sulfur and Resorcinol

Sulfur and resorcinol usually come together in acne products. Sulfur has been used for more than 50 years as a way to become acne free but how it works has still not been agreed upon. Resorcinol keeps whiteheads and blackheads at bay by eliminating extra skin. Clearsil's 'medicated' blemish line utilizes sulfur and resorcinol as main ingredients.

Natural Acne Products

Tea Tree Oil

Applied topically, tea tree oil works as a strong antibacterial and anti-fungal. As the skin can be sensitive at the beginning to tea tree oil, begin with low strengths, diluting with water or aloe vera.

Licorice Root Extract

Licorice root extract is an antibacterial and kills the P. acnes bacteria. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant, antioxidant and an inhibitor of sebum production.

Garlic

Garlic is a natural antiseptic that also contains sulfur.

Alpine Willow Herb Extract

Alpine willow extract is a botanical source of keratolytic salicylic acid and also serves as an antimicrobial.

Helix Aspersa Muller Glycoconjugates

With regard to natural treatments, the top acne products should include this miracle serum. It stimulates skin cell reparation (especially beneficial if you should be tormented by acne scars) and helps to moderate the body's inflammatory response to infection. This moderating action helps reduce the amount of damaging chemicals released by white blood cells when fighting against foreign bodies, effectively shielding adjacent healthy skin against unnecessary harm. It also exfoliates the skin naturally with enzymes, preventing skin pores from becoming blocked, and cleanses the skin of bacteria without causing extreme drying.