Acne is a common skin problem that affects more than half of the population. It's amazing the amount of acne skin care products out there, that sometimes it gets difficult to choose.

Generally, treatments for acne consist of sebum reduction, removal of dead skin cells and destroying bacteria with topical or oral medication. The appropriate treatment, however, depends on two key factors: whether your acne is mild, moderate or severe and what type of skin you have.

As a rule of thumb, general hygiene and over the counter medication should be enough to control mild and moderate acne. Severe acne, on the other hand, should be treated by a professional. If it is not, you risk the chance of developing acne scars.

Skin type is an important factor when it comes to choosing the right acne skin care products. Therefore, your first step is trying to determine what type of skin you have. Once you've determined your skin type, it will be much easier to find the right products.

Oily and dry skin are basically self explanatory. Combination skin is usually dry around the cheeks and oily around the forehead, nose and chin. Oily and combination skin are both more prone to breakouts due to the excessive sebum.

Skin Type & Acne Skin Care Products

No matter what your skin type is you should avoid products that contain alcohol. Oily skin types are more resistant to this type of product, however, the alcohol they contain tends to dry out the skin and lead to irritation. This damage can allow acne bacteria to easily enter the damaged or weak skin and lead to infection.

Water based products are the perfect option for treating oily skin and combination skin. They absorb very quickly into the skin and rarely lead to irritation. Before committing to a purchas, make sure that the acne product you choose also contains salicylic acid.

This component can help control sebum production and regulate cell shedding. Both of these situations are lead to clogged pores, which in turn lead to pimples and acne breakouts. Salicylic acid can penetrate the pore and help remove the plug from within.

If you have dry skin, acne is more likely to appear beneath the surface of the skin. A rigorous cleansing routine should be followed on a daily basis. In addition, you should take care and modify your skin care regimen according to the season.

During the colder winter months, dry skin can crack and expose the skin to bacteria. By using a thick, creamy moisturizer you should be able to neutralize this problem. Reapply your moisturizer frequently during the day.

During the warmer summer months, you should add a product containing retinoic acid to your daily routine. Since this ingredient can irritate dry skin, apply it with a moisturizer to keep irritation to a minimum.