Acne Treatments have been around for hundreds of years. Acne, meaning "skin eruption" in Greek, is a fixable condition. Scientists and doctors since the time of Ancient Greece have been experimenting with various treatments and procedures to help cure this annoying and sometimes ugly condition.
The First Acne Treatments
The first acne treatments were a mixture of sulphur and mineral bath salts, developed by the Romans, and thought to unclog pores. This method did release toxins and unclog pores. However, it's considered primitive compared to the other treatments that have since been developed. The Greeks also used a vegetable-based cream to try to reduce acne.
Benzoyl Peroxide as an Active Ingredient
This mixture of chemicals discovered in the 1920s changed the way acne has been treated since that time. Treatments that include this mixture help not only to dry the skin, which can reduce facial oils which form the bacteria that causes acne, but also cleans the skin and pores to combat future breakouts. This treatment is the active ingredient in almost all over-the-counter acne solutions today.
Antibiotics and creams that combat bacteria also help those with more severe or stubborn acne problems. A light/laser therapy has also recently been developed to help safely remove acne without scarring.