When it comes to acne, there’s a whole slew of misinformation regarding home remedies. From baking soda to Windex (à la My Big Fat Greek Wedding), millions of Americans are misled to think there’s a miracle cure-all to be found in a common household good. Unfortunately, when it comes to skincare, following an old wives’ tale can sometimes cause more harm than good.
Recently, people have been promoting triple antibiotic ointments, such as Neosporin®, for acne treatment. Triple antibiotic ointments (TAOs) are made up of three infection-fighting ingredients: Polymyxin B Sulfate, Bacitracin Zinc and Neomycin. While these three ingredients pack a powerful punch when it comes to wound care, they should be avoided when it comes to acne care.
But Isn’t Acne a Result of Bacteria?
Yes. But there are different types of bacteria—and the antibiotics in TAOs are not effective at fighting the acne-causing bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes.
Does it Really Hurt my Skin to Try Fighting Acne with a TAO?
Yes. TAOs are made up of antibacterials that are not designed to be used over prolonged periods of time. By regularly applying a TAO, you may build up resistance to wound-protecting antibacterials; this could make infection harder to prevent in the future. Additionally, some ingredients in over-the-counter TAOs can clog pores, leading to skin irritation or allergic reactions that can make difficult skin much worse.
But My Aunt Sally uses TAOs all the time. She Swears by Them.
Since TAOs are designed to promote wound healing and have ingredients that add moisture to the skin, they can, and do, help skin heal. While it may appear that your acne is improving, what you are likely seeing is the result of healed skin around the acne. In other words, your acne has not improved, but your overall skin condition has.
But there are better ways to achieve healthy skin. There are scientifically-proven treatments that can help you achieve the results you desire without clogging pores or putting you at risk of future infection.
At Hale Cosmeceuticals, we have several products that can help you control acne and promote healthy skin, such as: our GSL Cleanser, our O.R.A.C. Lifting Complex, our Re-Fine Milk Lotion and our Oil Control Masque. We invite you to try any of our acne-fighting products, free of risk. If one of our products does not work as expected, just give us a call. We work with you to find the best product for your needs—we’ll even blend a custom formula, unique to you, to address your specific skincare needs. We can be reached at 1-800-951-7005.
