Got zits? Don’t despair. Over 90% of teens will find themselves in the store searching out acne cream for an outbreak at some point or another. Your grandma might tell you it is because you pigged out on potato chips or chocolate. Mom or Dad might even blame your haircut. But, you can look back at all of them and tell them it is probably their fault that you have acne, because the main culprit for acne is genetics.

So what to do about it? Well, before you just reach for any acne cream on the shelf or use the one your friend used, you need to determine a few things.

A) What is your skin type? If you have a tendency toward oily skin, you would do best to choose a gel based product. If your skin is dry, you would want to select an acne cream.
B) Do you have sensitive skin? If so, you would want to choose a product that has less active ingredient. Using an acne cream that that is too strong or using it too often could cause increased oil production and thus more acne.
C) Is there pain associated with the blemishes at the site? If so, you would want to use an anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen and call your doctor as this may signal a more serious problem.

You should also see your doctor if you have large pustules that grow in patches or
if your acne causes scarring. While over the counter acne creams and treatments will be all that is needed for most acne flare-ups, your dermatologist is still the expert on what treatment would be best for you. Acne is a simple biological reaction that most kids going through puberty will experience at one time or another. Sebum, a rich fatty oil is excreted by your sebaceous glands and attaches to the hair follicles on your skin. The result is clogged pores. Bacteria may then begin to form and the end result is pimples or blemishes on the skin. If you experience a minor outbreak, don’t fret. Determine your skin type and check to see that you have none of the warning signs that would require your doctor’s advice. Then take a little trip to the corner drug, grab that acne cream best suited for your skin type and throw it in your backpack. You’re good to go.