With some ailments, the name says it all. Acne, the dreaded symptom that manifests itself as pimples or zits, is scientifically called Acne vulgaris. And true to its name, it is unsightly and often causes more than physical scarring among millions of teens worldwide. But like many other bodily malfunctions, acne can be controlled if not actually cured. There are a wide array of treatments available in the marketplace to choose from, but truth be told, acne is not a permanent condition and acne cures that work do exist.

Before starting to look at available acne cures, it might be a good idea to try and understand what causes acne in the first place. Contrary to popular belief, acne is not caused by bad facial hygiene. Many people believe this though and continue to pursue the holy grail of face washing.

The major cause of acne hormonal changes in the body that result in the production of excessive oil from the sebaceous glands. In some other cases, acne is caused when the pores are blocked or when the sebaceous gland itself is a victim of infection. In order to work, you must target the underlying problem. An acne cure that targets the infection of the sebaceous gland for instance is unlikely to work in a case when the acne is a direct result of hair duct blockage. Like with many other illness, acne cures must target and work on the root cause of the problem.

There are several kinds of acne cures available in the market. First, there are topical acne cures. These usually consist of creams or lotions that can be applied directly to the affected area. These include topical antibiotics, glycolic acid, lactic acid and gluconic acid. In some cases, such acne cures might also involve an active ingredient like azelaic acid cream and in cases where the acne is severe, accutane and sotret might be active components.

Apart from the topical, there are also several oral acne cures available. However these are available by prescription only so require a visit to your dermatologist.

Most drugstores have a wide variety of oral acne cures available readily on their shelves. However, before using such acne cures, it might be a good idea to see the aforementioned dermatologist, who can not only identify the cause of your individual acne, but also prescribe the most suitable treatment for you.

Another recent innovation in the acne research field has brought to the fore another kind of acne cure. This is laser acne treatment and is becoming increasingly popular as the results have proven to be spectacular.