Basically there are two types of acne treatment in common use. The first is one you apply to your skin (topical) and the second is the sort you swallow (tablets). Your medical advisor will assess which type is best suited for you. This article is about maximising the effectiveness of topical acne treatments.

Too many of us only reach for these treatments when we feel a spot is about to erupt, hoping for a miracle to occur instantly. Unfortunately all topical (creams, lotions, gels) require time, and your patience in order to be effective. You are setting yourself up for failure, if you apply the cream to a tiny spot waiting for it to disappear. Here are the 4 golden rules you should follow, if you want to make the most of your topical acne treatments:

1.Apply the cream liberally to all areas affected by the acne, even when there are no spots visible. Acne creams work below the surface and help prevent new spots from forming.

2.Applying more cream does not result in faster results. The only real consequence of doing this is a likely adverse reaction from your skin, making it look red and inflamed.

3.Acne creams often cause the skin to become dry and red. If this happens to you, get yourself an oil-free moisturiser and apply it on top of the acne treatment. Wait about 20mins before applying the moisturiser to allow the treatment to be fully absorbed into the skin.

4.If you plan to wear make-up over the treatments, make sure it is oil-free or acne-friendly. Some make-up manufacturers label this specific type of product as being non-comedogenic, which may help you identify suitable products. Of course you must ensure you remove all your make-up before you apply your acne treatment at night.

If you follow these simple guidelines, youll dramatically improve your chances of effectively treating your acne with topical treatments. Remember this type of treatment does not result in instant results.