Billions of people all over the world undergo acne treatment on a regular basis. The type of treatment may be as varied as herbal acne treatment, hormonal acne treatment, homeopathic acne treatment, acne antibiotic treatment, surgical treatment for acne or laser acne treatment. Several people follow combination of these treatments for enhanced and faster results. Little do people realize that some acne treatments might do them more harm than good in the long run. Although skin acne treatment products are successful in convincing people of the great benefits they could reap by using them, some of the chemicals they contain can be hazardous for human health. Many over-the-counter acne treatment products contain potentially hazardous chemicals. Given here is an overview of some of the ingredients that could pose a threat.

Sodium Hyaluronate is a toxic ingredient in several facial treatments for acne. This ingredient can be linked to organ cancers, birth defects, reproductive toxicity and neurotoxicity that damages the nervous system and brain.

Benzoyl peroxide, yes, one of the most popular anti-acne ingredients has also shown signs of causing serious long-term damage. It works temporarily to clear up you acne but gradually suppresses the immune system. The natural ability of the skin to repair damaged tissue by itself gets impaired. The National Library of Medicine opines that benzoyl peroxide can promote tumors and this has been shown in animal studies. It increases chances of carcinogenesis. It has also been associated with skin cancer.

Isotretinoin or Accutane is another fatal drug that can cause serious birth defects, urinary problems; it can elevate the level of liver enzymes and blood fats. This can be linked to heart disease, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides.

Some of the other harmful chemicals and synthetic ingredients in over-the-counter acne medications and cosmetic products like face washes, cleansers, ointments, etc are sodium methylparaben, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and sodium hyaluronate. Antibiotics, oral contraceptive pills, retinoids and other oral or topical medications can be the cause for rashes, gastrointestinal problems, melasma, photosensitivity, depression, increased risk of breast cancer and strokes, etc.

It is very important for you to discuss your medical history with your dermatologist before he prescribes you an acne treatment. Take special care to research a bit on the product and its ingredients before you purchase any over-the-counter medications for acne. Just because it worked for someone else doesn’t mean it would do you good as well. It’s best to opt for an all-natural acne treatment and steer clear from chemicals and other synthetic ingredient-laden products.