I know Clearasil and Clean and Clear and other products are useful for clearing facial acne, but is there an over-the-counter thing I can use for acne on my chest and shoulders? Would they also work for facial acne? I've been using Clean and Clear on my face and it hasn't worked.

I've always used face washes on my back and shoulders, in fact I could get away with something stronger as my skin was less sensitive there. There are some goot OTC spot cremes which have stuff like benzly peroxide / other peroxidy things which are pretty good at clearing stubborn spots - but you can't use them as an all over wash or you'll end up red raw. I found oxy stuff stronger than clearasil which in turn seemed to be stronger than clean and clear - but this could just be due to my skin type - there definitely seems to be a lot of variation on what works for whom when.

You should try some others - also don't be shy asking your pharmacist/ their assistant - they'll know what's new out/ the strongest thing available where you live (varies between countries). It's been a while since I've worked there so I can't remember what's licensed at the moment

Failing that the doctor could perscribe you something stronger- but try the OTC stuff first.

Good luck

I used acne wash of different kinds for years and it seemed they either worked for a while and then didn't work at all or they made if even worse! Some acne washes are too harsh for sensitive skin and will make your face red,dry,blotchy and painful. A friend told me 5 or 6 years a go to use baby wash, yes baby wash and I have been using it every since. I gave this advise to a friend of mine but it didn't work well for her. I suggested she use her acne wash only a few times a week and the baby wash the rest of the time. Her face is nearly clear of acne now!

The skin on the body is thicker than skin on the face, and acne treatments that work fine on the face may not work on the rest of the body. Try using over-the-counter products designed for body acne, such as Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash or Oxy Acne Fighting Body Wash.

As for your face, use products containing benzoyl peroxide to help treat the acne. If you have acne that doesn't respond to over-the-counter treatment, please consult a dermatologist for a proper treatment that's right for you.