Acne is one of the biggest problems teenagers have. It is common for teenagers to get, and certainly not a pleasant condition to have.
Many people try anything possible to get rid of their acne. That includes using every medication out there just to get that clear skin.
And one such medication people try is Neosporin. But does Neosporin help acne?
Keep reading to see if this is a good option to use to fight your acne.
Does Neosporin Help Acne?
No. Not really. Neosporin is not a great option when used for acne. While it’s effective at reducing the risk of infections from cuts, etc. it is not very helpful to fight acne.
Neosporin does not kill the most common germs that cause acne. Thus, it won’t help you with pimples or cystic acne.
However, Neosporin may temporarily relieve irritation and mend damaged, cracked skin areas since it contains several hydrating, skin-healing oils.
This may create the appearance that it is treating the acne when, in fact, it is only mending the acne’s damage. Neosporin is a combination antibiotic that protects minor cuts and burns against infection. Neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin are the active components.
Why Isn’t Neosporin Effective Against Acne?
Two of the active ingredients in Neosporin are ineffective in the fight against P. acnes. P. acnes, also known as Propionibacterium acnes, is a Gram-positive bacteria that causes acne. Although bacitracin is effective, it is mainly used to treat other bacteria.
Neomycin is efficient against Gram-negative bacteria, according to several studies. On the other hand, gram-positive bacteria such as P. acnes are resistant to it.
Polymyxin, much like neomycin, is solely effective against Gram-negative bacteria. The bacteria P. acnes is Gram-positive. It is also ineffective against bacterial skin infections when used alone.
Bacitracin is efficient against Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus (a bacteria that causes infections and illnesses like abscesses and pneumonia) and Streptococcus pyogenes (which can cause strep throat).
A common cause of allergic contact dermatitis is bacitracin. These are antibiotics that are used to destroy microorganisms on the skin.
When To Use Neosporin
Neosporin is a prescription antibiotic that can be used to treat minor scrapes, cuts, and burns. It can also help to speed up healing and reduce scarring. As a result, acne sufferers have utilized Neosporin to treat pimples.
A dab of Neosporin applied gently onto the zit may help it look better. However, you may not see any improvement, or your acne may worsen.
Although it is not helpful for treating acne, Neosporin can be used for spot treatment. Neosporin is effective as a spot treatment for acne.
When a pimple is just popped, for example, mild applications of Neosporin may help it recover faster and avoid acne scarring. You should never squeeze a pimple, but if one pops up on its own, a dab of Neosporin can make the skin look better.
It may help repair the skin if used twice a day for a few days (no more than a week) and exclusively on the affected area.
Neosporin is not effective for acne, only for acne scars.
To find out more about effective acne treatments, check out our article “11 Acne Treatments That Really Work.”
