Around 9.4% of the world population is affected by acne at some time or the other, and globally, it is considered the eighth-most prevalent disease (1). So, how does Neosporin help treat acne? Is it worth the hype? How it benefits your skin? This article will help you find answers to all your queries. Keep reading to know the science behind the effects of Neosporin on your skin.
What Is Neosporin?
Neosporin is an ointment typically used for treating skin injuries or bacterial eye infections. It is a combination of three antibiotics that keeps the wounds from getting infected. It is also known as a triple antibiotic ointment (or TAO). The three antibiotics in Neosporin are as follows (2):
Neomycin
Neomycin is an antibiotic that can fight gram-negative aerobic bacilli and some anaerobic bacilli as well (3).
PolymyxinB
Polymyxin B is an antibiotic that can fight gram-negative bacterial infections. It can break down the cell membrane of the bacteria and kill them (4).
Bacitracin
Bacitracin is an antibiotic that can work on gram-positive bacteria by breaking down their cell walls and interfering with their synthesis. It stops bacterial proliferation (5). Since Neosporin is a combination of these three antibiotics, it can fight both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Neosporin also contains cocoa butter, petroleum jelly, olive oil, and cottonseed oil (2). While the ingredients in Neosporin sound promising, how effective is the medication to treat acne? Let us find out.
Neosporin For Acne Is It Effective?
Neosporin is not very effective for acne. In fact, anecdotal evidence suggests it may also cause adverse effects in some. It could be rather surprising that a medication designed to kill bacteria may not help treat a condition caused by bacteria. However, it is important to note that while Neosporin may kill a wide range of bacteria, it does not work against others. A strain of bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes is responsible for acne in the vast majority of cases (6). While Neosporin works against Escherichia coli, and Neisseria species of bacteria, it may not be effective against P.acnes (3), (5). While acne may also be caused by other minor strains of bacteria that Neosporin can work against, the chances are thin. Hence, we recommend against using Neosporin for treating your acne. Consulting your doctor to understand the specific bacteria that has caused your condition is ideal. Also, note that using Neosporin for treating the most common forms of acne can cause adverse effects. We have covered the same in the next section.
Side Effects Of Using Neosporin For Acne
Increases The Antibiotic Resistance In Bacteria
Using the wrong medication for too long can cause the bacteria to build resistance against the antibiotics (7). The medication then would stop working even against those strains of bacteria it was previously effective against. Even if it has no impact on your acne, excessive use of Neosporin where it is not needed can decrease its chances of being effective when you apply it to another wound or an injury.
May Damage Your Skin
Prolonged use of Neosporin for acne can have an adverse impact on your skin. Antibiotics, such as those present in Neosporin, alter the skin microbiome (8). They damage the upper layer of the skin and may leave it susceptible to acne and other infections. Another component of Neosporin, called Neomycin, may cause allergic contact dermatitis (9).
May Aggravate Your Acne
Neosporin contains comedogenic components (that can clog your pores). Clogged pores also may cause acne and trigger folliculitis (10), (11). Do these side effects mean you should never use Neosporin for treating acne? Not really. Certain situations warrant the use of Neosporin for acne treatment.
When To Use Neosporin For Acne?
Using Neosporin could be ideal only when your acne gets infected. It could be an excellent ointment for treating infected acne (12). The petroleum jelly in Neosporin is an emollient and may moisturize the skin surrounding the acne. However, information in this regard is limited. Consult your doctor for more information.
When To See A Doctor?
If your acne is getting too severe or painful, or the treatments are not delivering the right results, you must visit a dermatologist. You should also see a doctor if your acne appeared after taking any specific medication. Visiting a doctor on time can arm you with the right information that can help resolve your issue faster. Does Neosporin help pimple scabs? Neosporin may help accelerate the healing process when applied to pimple scabs. Can you put Neosporin on a blind pimple? Yes, you can. While it may not fight the bacteria causing the acne, Neosporin can reduce the inflammation around the blind pimple. Is Neosporin good for scars? Neosporin may speed up the wound healing process when applied to scabs. Thus, it might help reduce scarring. However, it cannot fade existing scars. Does Neosporin help skin infections? It depends on the bacteria causing the infection. Neosporin may be able to treat issues caused by some gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria like Escherichia coli and Neisseria. Should I keep applying Neosporin? Use Neosporin as instructed by the product label or as recommended by a dermatologist. Does Neosporin help dry skin on the face? There is a lack of evidence suggesting that Neosporin may benefit those with dry skin. Individuals with dry skin should opt for creams specifically formulated for that skin type.
