Bothered by constant acne breakouts? Nobody likes to have acne, of course. Aside from being bothersome, it can also affect your self-confidence, and it can create unsightly acne scars if you’re not careful. That is why you, along with millions of people out there, are looking for ways that will help you get rid of this. However, safety can be a serious concern with many of the anti-acne products out there.

So, how safe are your anti-acne products? Not sure? Then, we’ll talk about some of the more popular anti-acne products out there and we’ll show some of the things you need to be aware of in terms of safety. Read on.

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is without a doubt one of the most popular anti-acne products out there, mainly because it can be acquired over-the-counter. However, you should be careful when applying benzoyl peroxide on your skin because some people experience adverse reactions to this, including burning sensations, swelling and itching. Its application may also cause dryness of the skin; however, this reaction usually goes away after a week of usage.

Salicylic Acid

Another popular anti-acne product, salicylic acid has less severe side effects than benzoyl peroxide. However, you should also be careful when applying this on your acne because it can cause dryness and irritation. Should you experience these side effects, you should lessen your use of salicylic acid. If these continue to persist, we recommend that you stop using this altogether.

Tetracycline

Tetracycline is an anti-acne drug that’s prescribed by doctors to patients who do not react positively to less powerful medications such as the ones we mentioned above. Its usage is regulated because it can have serious adverse effects if administered incorrectly and this is why you need a doctor’s prescription to acquire such product. Some of the side effects of tetracycline include staining of the oral cavity and teeth. This drug should not also be used by pregnant women and children who are under 9 years old.

Erythromycin

Erythromycin works by killing bacteria that causes acne. Aside from that, it also helps reduce redness in lesions. It also has an advantage over tetracycline because erythromycin can be used even by pregnant women. However, it is not without side effects. Some people who use this drug experience upset stomach and nausea.

How to Avoid These Side Effects and Safety Issues

The easiest and most obvious way to avoid the side effects of the anti-acne products we discussed is to seek your dermatologist’s advice before trying these products, particularly those drugs that can be obtained over-the-counter.

It also pays to read the safety precautions found on the product’s packaging because these precautions will provide you with the necessary safety information you need regarding the product.