Finding a reliable over the counter acne medication will be made much easier if you have some knowledge about chemicals that make up the product.

In particular, here are four chemicals that you will find in many proven acne products.

1. Benzoyl Peroxide (BP)

How It Works
- Kills acne bacteria deep inside the follicles
- Helps to loosen whiteheads and blackheads
- Dries and exfoliates skin

Common Negative Effects
- Redness, dryness, and scaling.
- Blistering, burning, crusting, itching, swelling or severe redness can occur to those who are allergic to it or people with sensitive skin

Expected Results
- Harsh chemical (since it is a bleach although refined) that works best for acne conditions that are moderate to moderately severe
- 8 to 12 weeks
- More effective when combined with clindamycin topical antibiotic

2. Salicylic Acid or “Beta Hydroxyl Acid” (BHA)

How It Works
- Breaks down keratin, a protein that holds skin cells together
- Exfoliates old skin and allows new healthy skin to surface
- Loosens and gets rid of whiteheads and blackheads

Common Negative Effects
- Skin peeling, dryness, and irritation when used at concentrations of more than 2%

Expected Results
- Mild chemical that works well for mild / moderate acne and sensitive skin
- Up to 3 months to loosen smaller whiteheads and blackheads
- Works well through consistent and long period of usage

3. Sulfur

How It Works
- Anti bacterial agent
- Exfoliates dead skin cells from the epidermis
- Breaks down existing whiteheads and blackheads

Common Negative Effects
- Peeling and redness
- Unpleasant odor and may discolor skin
- New formation of pimples due to increased cell adhesion

Expected Results
- Works for mild acne and for spot treatments

4. Resorcinol

How It Works
- Helps to remove hard, scaly, or roughened skin
- Breaks down existing blackheads and whiteheads

Common Negative Effects
- Redness and peeling of skin (may occur after a few days)

Expected Results
- Not effective by itself but works well when combined with other acne medications such as sulfur

The above are chemicals that can be found in reliable over the counter acne medication available at your local pharmacy. You can also get such medication at online drugstores.