There are many products offered for the treatment of acne, most of them without any scientifically- demonstrated effects. However, a mixture of treatments can strongly minimize the severity and amount of acne in many cases.

It is highly advisable to ask a dermatologist about the tradeoffs between these products for any individual case, especially when considering using any of them in combination. There are a number of treatments that have been proven effective.

Killing the bacteria that are gathered in the obstructed follicles. This is done either by the administration of antibiotics or by treating the afflicted patches externally with bactericidal elements like erythromycin or benzoyl peroxide. However, reducing the P. acnes bacteria will not, in itself, do anything to minimize the oil secretion and aberrant cellular behaviour that is the first cause of the clogged follicles. Benzoyl Peroxide has the characteristic of being a great oxidiser and does not seem to produce bacterial resistance. Acne will usually reappear quite soon after the end of treatment; days later in the case of local applications, and weeks later in the case of oral antibiotics.

Reducing the secretion of oil from the glands. This is done by a regular oral dose of vitamin A derivatives like isotretinoin (marketed as Accutane) over a period of a few months. Isotretinoin has been shown to be very effective in alleviating severe acne and is effective in well over 80% of patients. This drug has a much longer action than anti-bacterial therapies and will usually eliminate acne for good. The treatment requires close medical supervision by a dermatologist because the drug has many known side effects, even some severe ones. The most common side effects are dry skin and nosebleed. The drug also causes birth defects if women become pregnant while taking it or take it while pregnant. For this reason, female patients are asked 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 regular treatments have failed.

Exfoliating the skin. This can be done either mechanically, using a liquid scrub or an abrasive cloth, or chemically. Common 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 clogged pores.

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