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There are plenty of products sold for the treatment of acne, many of them without any scientifically- demonstrated effects. However, a mixture of treatments can greatly reduce the severity and amount of acne in many cases.

It is highly advisable to ask a dermatologist about the interactions between these products for any particular case, specially when considering using any of them in combination. There are several treatments that have been proven efficient.

Destroying the bacteria that are gathered in the obstructed follicles. This is performed either by the administration of antibiotics or by treating the afflicted patches externally with bactericidal substances like erythromycin or benzoyl peroxide. However, reducing the P. acnes bacteria will not, in itself, do anything to reduce the oil production and abnormal cell behaviour that is the initial cause of the clogged follicles. Benzoyl Peroxide has the characteristic of being a strong oxidiser and does not seem to produce bacterial resistance. Acne will usually reappear quite soon after the treatment has ended; days later in the case of topical applications, and weeks later if oral antibiotics were used.

Minimizing the production of oil from the glands. This is achieved by a daily oral dose of vitamin A by-products like isotretinoin (marketed as Accutane) over a period of some months. Isotretinoin has been shown to be very efficient in alleviating severe acne and is efficient in well over 80% of patients. This drug has a much longer effect than anti-bacterial treatments and will usually cure acne for good. The treatment needs close medical supervision by a dermatologist because the drug has several known side effects, even some severe ones. The most common side effects are nosebleed and dry skin. The drug also produces birth defects if women become pregnant while taking it or take it while pregnant. For this reason, female patients are required to vow abstinence or use two separate forms of birth control while taking this drug. Because of this, isotretinoin is supposed to be administered as a last option after milder treatments have failed.

Exfoliating the skin. This can be performed either mechanically, using a liquid scrub or an abrasive cloth, or chemically. Known chemical exfoliating agents include glycolic acid and salicylic acid, which promote the peeling of the top layer of skin to prevent an accumulation of devitalized skin cells which mix with skin oil to block pores. It also helps to clear already blocked pores.

Note that the term "peeling" is not used in the visible sense of shedding, but rather as the elimination of the top layer of skin cells at the microscopic level. According to the kind of exfoliation used, some visible flaking is possible. If you want to give them a try, moisturizers and biological acne skin care products including exfoliating agents are usually available over-the-counter.