Acne affects close to 80% of the American population at some point or another. Because of the wide range of acne products available in the market, most acne sufferers have problems deciding which acne product to use for treatment. In fact, prior to consulting a dermatologist, most would first use over the counter drugs and medications. Dermatologists often advise the use of such acne products (example Neutragena, Eucerin, Aquanil, Cetaphil and Extra Gentle Cleanser) if your case is severe. They will however, usually discourage the use of rough cleansers and scrubs. Also, vigorous rubbing of the skin is best avoided as these may create further irritation and may eventually lead to more acne. To be able to select the best suitable acne product for yourself, you must learn how to read labels. That is, you have to acquire an understanding of the ingredients of the acne medications. Also, you have to identify which ingredients and which acne products work best for your type of skin. Benzoyl peroxide, a common ingredient contained in most acne medications are effective in reducing the acne infecting bacteria termed as the "Propionibacterium acnes". These are known to clog the pores while creating acne lesions. Moderate cases of acne are usually treated with such over the counter medications. Some of these medications also remove dead skin cells, thus preventing the appearance of comedones. They have been highly regarded among experts for decades now and is still rising in popularity as a safe way of clearing acne form the skin. However, the only serious side effect from using benzoyl peroxide is abnormal dry skin. Another acne product that is noted to obstruct the quick shedding of the skin and the clogging of the skin pores is salicylic acid. This does not reduce the presence of the natural oil , but it prevents the formation of lesions in the hair follicles. It is advisable that you continue using these two acne products even after the severity of the skin disease disappears to minimize the likelihood of future acne breakouts. However, over time, it is a good idea to cut down the usage of these products once you have no more acne. The effective ways to determine which product, from the multitude of acne products available, is to distinguish the result of the active ingredients. Take note of what they do to your skin. It is recommended to avoid alcohol and oil-base products as these may either dry your skin extremely or add to the problem of excess oil. As you experiment with acne products, take note which leaves a soft feel and which results to itchiness and irritation. Make it a habit to apply only small amounts at the beginning of each acne treatment. Also, pay close attention to the acne products for which your skin reacts constructively. There is really no way round selecting the best acne product other than understanding what the ingredients in each product are for and through experimenting which works best for your skin condition. In time, after due diligence and careful analysis, you will be able to determine the best acne product for yourself.