One of the popular misconceptions about acne is that it is a skin disorder that can affect only teenagers, while adults are hardly at risk. Nothing however, could be further from the truth – for acne can make an unwanted appearance even in adults at any stage of their life.

But there is hope yet – in the form of topical creams and gels – which work on the affected site and thereby guarantee faster results. Most of these topical preparations have the following ingredients as part of their composition:

    * Azelaic Acid (Azelex 20%) [Azelex Cream]
    * Topical antibiotics
    * Benzoyl Peroxide
    * Topical retinoid
    * Topical Clindamyci
    * Sulfonamides



Here is a closer look at the role that each of these topical medications play in treating acne.

Azelaic Acid (Azelex 20%): [Azelex Cream] It is nothing but saturated carboxylic acid in its natural form. It has been found effective in eliminating acne-causing bacteria and is used to treat mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris. It is meant for dermatolgic use only – it should be applied to the skin twice daily, or as instructed directed by your doctor.

Topical antibiotics: While all antibiotics are renowned for their anti-inflammatory properties, some of them like Erythromycin, Clindamycin and Salicylic acid have been found to be effective against acne – they help to reduce acne-induced inflammation, besides killing off the P.acne bacteria found in skin and hair follicles.

Benzoyl peroxide: It is one of the ingredients found most commonly in acne creams for its ability to kill the P.acne bacteria ( which causes the inflammation accompanying acne), with a gentle drying and peeling effect which reduces breakouts considerably. Initially, it is administered in low doses – the dosage is increased once the skin feels comfortable with the composition. It is available as both over-the-counter (OTC) and  prescription drugs.

Topical retinoid: It not only checks existing acne, but also stops this skin condiion from spreading further. Topical preparations containing this ingredient should be ideally used in the night to preclude any phototoxicity (making the skin susceptible to damage on exposure to light) problems.

Topical Clindamyci: It is a key ingredient of anti-acne gels, lotions, and ointments and helps to destroy the growth and of P.acne bacteria. It is to be applied twice a day. Its side effects include dryness, peeling, burning and itching (as observed in about 10% of users) – however, in some patients, side effects like inflammation of the colon, bloody diarrhea, and diarrhea have been noticed.

Sulfonamides: They are generally prescribed as an adjunct therapy in conjunction with retinoid and oral antibiotic therapy. But their use has resulted in patient mortality at the worst – other side effects include stinging, burning and irritation.

In case any of these topical preparations are prescribed for treating acne, it is advisable to use them under proper medical supervision. This in turn would require advice from a qualified dermatologist who can tell you which medication will suit and work well for you.