Only an ugly, worrisome skin condition like acne would prompt someone to put acid on their face. Just look what happens when you dip metal into acid or allow it to corrode something. Acid is a violent chemical that only trained professionals should come in contact with. That is, until you create a weak concentration and turn it into an acne-fighting concoction. Viola, acne medicines with acid. Then we line up around the block to buy the latest treatment.Unless you work with chemicals, odds are that you have a few misconceptions about acid. First and foremost, there are thousands of different types of acids. There are even dozens of different types of acid used to fight acne. These range from weaker acids that help tone the skin, to stronger acids that eat away at scar tissue. But before you go breaking apart your remote's double-A batteries to rub some acid on your face, let's go over some of the most common acne-fighting acids.Different Types of Acid for Acne Salicylic AcidIn almost every Internet article you read, including ours, salicylic acid is the number-one acid for fighting acne. Acne medications with acid typically tend to mix things up, but salicylic acid is found inside most topical treatments. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid and it is quite strong. The best thing about it is that it works under the surface as opposed to on the top of the skin. This acid penetrates deep into the skin to help get rid of acne. However, it is best used to treat mild or moderate acne. More serious types of acne, wont benefit from Salicylic acid. Citric AcidThis type of acid is famous in home remedies, and although it acts very similarly to another acid on this list, it is actually a lot weaker. It's used primarily as a preservative and flavor agent. When combined with proper skincare measures, the citric acid from lemons, limes, pineapples and other fruits can help exfoliate the skin and clean deep in the pores. A tip to remember for acne product consumers: If you're going to spend money on a product with acid, don't opt for citric acid. Go with a stronger acid and just buy a lemon for a few cents.
Fusidic AcidAlthough it's called an acid, Fusidic acid isn't like the rest. It's actually a bacteriostatic antibiotic used in topical creams and eye-drops. People have a lot of success with Fusidic acid when fighting mild to moderate acne. But, becuase its an antibiotic, you're not going to find it in OTC ointments and creams. Glycolic AcidGlycolic acid is like citric acid but stronger. For mild to moderate acne, this alpha hydroxy acid can get the job done. Glycolic acid works from the outside in. It is generally used for resurfacing, exfoliation, and treating acne on the skins surface. That isn't to say that it won't help kill bacteria, but its greatest strength lies in getting rid of scar tissue and dead skin cells.Azelaic AcidThis particular type of acid is unique. It is a saturated dicarboxylic acid, which means, it's very gentle on the surface of the skin but eats through bacteria like Pac-Man. This acid is safe to use when fighting bacteria and the spread of acne, but don't want to deal with dry, cracked, irritated, itchy skin. There are certainly stronger acids out there, but for mild to moderate acne, Azelaic acid has a lot of advantages.Pantothenic AcidJust another way to say Vitamin B5, pantothenic acid is similar to a fatty acid in the way it works. B5 works from the inside out, helping to strengthen the body's immune system and balance hormones. Although there isn't a mountain of evidence for this acid, no one can argue against a healthy lifestyle as a great acne-fighting tool. Acne medicines with acid in them are a dime a dozen. When you're shopping for something to help with your acne, remember this information. Gentle, strong, or simple, you can find an acid that's right for you.
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