Skip to content

Added to your cart:

Cart subtotal

View cart (2) Checkout
Acne Treatment Products Blistex Products Facial Wipes Beauty Products Dermatology Supplies Face Washes Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) Skin Care Products Personal Care and Hygiene Products Soap Dry Skin Relief Padagis US Aesthetic Supplies, MedSpa Supplies Erythromycin Antibiotics Prescription Drugs and Prescription Medications Skin Infection Medications Topical Antibiotics Topical Creams, Ointments OTC & RX Products Adapalene Benzoyl Peroxide Products Topical Antiseptics Eczema and Psoriasis Treatment Relief Products Taro Pharmaceuticals Eczema Creams Acetaminophen Antibacterial Medicines Antibiotic Medications Bacterial Infection Medicines, Antibiotics & Drugs MRSA Treatments Zydus Pharmaceuticals Allergic Reaction Medications Allergy Relief Medicines Allergy Relief Products Corticosteroids Injections, Prefilled Syringes and Topical Ointments Inflammation Relief Medications Inflammatory Bowel Disease Medications Lupus Medications Prednisone Medications Rheumatoid Arthritis Relief Products Ulcerative Colitis Treatment Products Anti-Aging Products Scar Care Products

Filters

Availability
Price
$
-
$
$0 $625
Vendor
Collection
Tags

Acne Medicines, Acne Treatments

Shop our #1 Acne Medicines for fast, effective acne treatment and clear, healthy skin. Trusted by dermatologists, our FDA-approved creams, gels, and oral medications target acne causes—reducing inflammation, unclogging pores, and preventing breakouts. Perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin, our acne solutions help treat blackheads, whiteheads, cystic acne, and blemishes. Achieve smoother, radiant skin and optimal acne control with our top-rated acne medicines.

Acne Treatments

Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory skin condition of the hair follicles and oil (sebaceous) glands. It is driven by excess sebum (oil) production, clogged pores (comedones), Cutibacterium acnes bacteria, and inflammation. Acne manifests as whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, or cysts, and can range from mild to severe. Treatments aim to target these factors – for example, by reducing oil, preventing pores from plugging, killing acne bacteria, or calming inflammation. The choice of therapy depends on acne severity, patient age, and tolerability. Mild acne often starts with topical treatments, while more severe cases may need oral (systemic) medications. Current guidelines advise that topical retinoids can benefit any acne severity (including maintenance therapy), and that topical or oral antibiotics should only be used with benzoyl peroxide or retinoids (to avoid resistance) and for a limited time. Potent oral isotretinoin is generally reserved for severe, treatment-resistant acne.

Topical therapies

  • Topical retinoids: Tretinoin, adapalene, and tazarotene (vitamin A derivatives) are applied as creams or gels. They normalize follicle cell turnover and prevent clogged pores. These agents treat both comedonal (noninflammatory) and inflammatory acne and are often used long-term for maintenance. Side effects are common and include skin dryness, flaking, redness, and increased sun sensitivity. (Use sparingly at first and always apply sunscreen.)
  • Benzoyl peroxide: An antimicrobial and mild peeling agent. It kills C. acnes bacteria and causes mild exfoliation of skin (keratolytic). Benzoyl peroxide is available over-the-counter in 2.5–10% strengths. It reduces oil and acne-causing bacteria in pores, and unlike antibiotics it does not induce bacterial resistance. It is often combined with topical antibiotics or retinoids in treatment regimens. Side effects include skin irritation, dryness, and bleaching of fabrics or hair.
  • Topical antibiotics: Clindamycin or erythromycin gels/lotions kill C. acnes and reduce inflammation. They are typically applied once or twice daily. Because bacteria can become resistant, topical antibiotics are almost always paired with benzoyl peroxide (and/or a retinoid). For example, clindamycin+BPO or erythromycin+BPO combos are common. Topical antibiotics alone are generally not recommended. Common side effects are mild redness or irritation at the application site.
  • Other topical agents: Azelaic acid, salicylic acid, and dapsone are additional options. Azelaic acid (15–20% cream/gel) has antibacterial and exfoliating properties and can improve post-acne pigmentation. It is effective for mild-to-moderate acne and is safe in pregnancy. Salicylic acid (found in many OTC washes, usually 0.5–2%) gently peels the skin to clear pores, though evidence is less robust. Topical dapsone gel (5%) is an anti-inflammatory antibiotic gel often used for inflammatory acne, particularly in adult women. Side effects of these agents typically include skin redness or dryness.

Systemic therapies

  • Oral antibiotics: For moderate-to-severe acne, dermatologists often prescribe oral antibiotics. First-line are tetracyclines (doxycycline, minocycline), which kill C. acnes and have anti-inflammatory effects). (If tetracyclines cannot be used, alternatives include erythromycin, azithromycin or other antibiotics.) Oral antibiotics are taken for a limited duration (often 6–12 weeks) to reduce bacterial resistance. They are usually combined with a topical agent (benzoyl peroxide and/or a retinoid). Side effects can include stomach upset, increased sun sensitivity, and rarely yeast infections.
  • Hormonal therapy (women): In female patients, hormonal treatments can help. Certain combined oral contraceptive pills (estrogen + progestin) are FDA-approved for acne and can be very effective. Examples include Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Yaz, and others. These pills may take a few months to improve acne, and side effects may include weight gain, breast tenderness, and a higher risk of blood clots. Another option is spironolactone (an anti-androgen) which blocks the effect of male hormones on oil glands. Spironolactone can reduce oil production and improve hormonal acne, but may cause menstrual irregularities or breast tenderness. (Hormonal therapies are used only when appropriate; they do not treat acne in men or those not producing ovarian hormones.)
  • Oral isotretinoin: An oral vitamin A (retinoid) pill reserved for severe, recalcitrant acne. It works on all four acne factors: shrinking sebaceous glands, normalizing skin cell shedding, reducing bacteria, and calming inflammation. A typical course is taken over 4–6 months at about 0.5–1 mg/kg/day. Isotretinoin often produces dramatic clearance of nodular or cystic acne. However, it has significant side effects: it causes very dry skin, lips and eyes, muscle/joint aches, elevated blood lipids, and can affect mood. Most critically, isotretinoin is highly teratogenic (causes birth defects). Women of childbearing potential must have frequent pregnancy tests and use two forms of birth control (programs like iPledge enforce this). Patients are monitored closely by their dermatologist during treatment.

Disclaimer: This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Treatment should be individualized and guided by a healthcare professional. If you have acne, consult a dermatologist or doctor to find the safest and most effective therapy for you.

People Also Searched For

Acne Medicines, Acne Treatments to doctor-only Acne Medicines, Acne Treatments to Acne Treatment Acne Medicines, Acne Treatments to Acne Acne Medicines, Acne Treatments to Acne Medication Acne Medicines, Acne Treatments to Acne Medicine Acne Medicines, Acne Treatments to Treat Acne Acne Treatment Products Beauty Products Skin Care Products Facial Wipes

Shop our #1 Acne Medicines for fast, effective acne treatment and clear, healthy skin. Trusted by dermatologists, our FDA-approved creams, gels, and oral medications target acne causes—reducing inflammation, unclogging pores, and preventing breakouts. Perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin, our acne solutions help treat blackheads, whiteheads, cystic acne, and blemishes. Achieve smoother, radiant skin and optimal acne control with our top-rated acne medicines.

Acne Treatments

Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory skin condition of the hair follicles and oil (sebaceous) glands. It is driven by excess sebum (oil) production, clogged pores (comedones), Cutibacterium acnes bacteria, and inflammation. Acne manifests as whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, or cysts, and can range from mild to severe. Treatments aim to target these factors – for example, by reducing oil, preventing pores from plugging, killing acne bacteria, or calming inflammation. The choice of therapy depends on acne severity, patient age, and tolerability. Mild acne often starts with topical treatments, while more severe cases may need oral (systemic) medications. Current guidelines advise that topical retinoids can benefit any acne severity (including maintenance therapy), and that topical or oral antibiotics should only be used with benzoyl peroxide or retinoids (to avoid resistance) and for a limited time. Potent oral isotretinoin is generally reserved for severe, treatment-resistant acne.

Topical therapies

  • Topical retinoids: Tretinoin, adapalene, and tazarotene (vitamin A derivatives) are applied as creams or gels. They normalize follicle cell turnover and prevent clogged pores. These agents treat both comedonal (noninflammatory) and inflammatory acne and are often used long-term for maintenance. Side effects are common and include skin dryness, flaking, redness, and increased sun sensitivity. (Use sparingly at first and always apply sunscreen.)
  • Benzoyl peroxide: An antimicrobial and mild peeling agent. It kills C. acnes bacteria and causes mild exfoliation of skin (keratolytic). Benzoyl peroxide is available over-the-counter in 2.5–10% strengths. It reduces oil and acne-causing bacteria in pores, and unlike antibiotics it does not induce bacterial resistance. It is often combined with topical antibiotics or retinoids in treatment regimens. Side effects include skin irritation, dryness, and bleaching of fabrics or hair.
  • Topical antibiotics: Clindamycin or erythromycin gels/lotions kill C. acnes and reduce inflammation. They are typically applied once or twice daily. Because bacteria can become resistant, topical antibiotics are almost always paired with benzoyl peroxide (and/or a retinoid). For example, clindamycin+BPO or erythromycin+BPO combos are common. Topical antibiotics alone are generally not recommended. Common side effects are mild redness or irritation at the application site.
  • Other topical agents: Azelaic acid, salicylic acid, and dapsone are additional options. Azelaic acid (15–20% cream/gel) has antibacterial and exfoliating properties and can improve post-acne pigmentation. It is effective for mild-to-moderate acne and is safe in pregnancy. Salicylic acid (found in many OTC washes, usually 0.5–2%) gently peels the skin to clear pores, though evidence is less robust. Topical dapsone gel (5%) is an anti-inflammatory antibiotic gel often used for inflammatory acne, particularly in adult women. Side effects of these agents typically include skin redness or dryness.

Systemic therapies

  • Oral antibiotics: For moderate-to-severe acne, dermatologists often prescribe oral antibiotics. First-line are tetracyclines (doxycycline, minocycline), which kill C. acnes and have anti-inflammatory effects). (If tetracyclines cannot be used, alternatives include erythromycin, azithromycin or other antibiotics.) Oral antibiotics are taken for a limited duration (often 6–12 weeks) to reduce bacterial resistance. They are usually combined with a topical agent (benzoyl peroxide and/or a retinoid). Side effects can include stomach upset, increased sun sensitivity, and rarely yeast infections.
  • Hormonal therapy (women): In female patients, hormonal treatments can help. Certain combined oral contraceptive pills (estrogen + progestin) are FDA-approved for acne and can be very effective. Examples include Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Yaz, and others. These pills may take a few months to improve acne, and side effects may include weight gain, breast tenderness, and a higher risk of blood clots. Another option is spironolactone (an anti-androgen) which blocks the effect of male hormones on oil glands. Spironolactone can reduce oil production and improve hormonal acne, but may cause menstrual irregularities or breast tenderness. (Hormonal therapies are used only when appropriate; they do not treat acne in men or those not producing ovarian hormones.)
  • Oral isotretinoin: An oral vitamin A (retinoid) pill reserved for severe, recalcitrant acne. It works on all four acne factors: shrinking sebaceous glands, normalizing skin cell shedding, reducing bacteria, and calming inflammation. A typical course is taken over 4–6 months at about 0.5–1 mg/kg/day. Isotretinoin often produces dramatic clearance of nodular or cystic acne. However, it has significant side effects: it causes very dry skin, lips and eyes, muscle/joint aches, elevated blood lipids, and can affect mood. Most critically, isotretinoin is highly teratogenic (causes birth defects). Women of childbearing potential must have frequent pregnancy tests and use two forms of birth control (programs like iPledge enforce this). Patients are monitored closely by their dermatologist during treatment.

Disclaimer: This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Treatment should be individualized and guided by a healthcare professional. If you have acne, consult a dermatologist or doctor to find the safest and most effective therapy for you.

Get Notified When Back in Stock