Skin Health Acne Treatment Prescription Topical Acne Treatments These prescriptions may be more effective than over-the-counter options By Angela Palmer Angela Palmer Facebook Angela Palmer is a licensed esthetician specializing in acne treatment. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 09, 2022 Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD LinkedIn Leah Ansell, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and an assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Azelaic Acid Retinoids Antibiotics Combination Medications Frequently Asked Questions While over-the-counter (OTC) acne products can be effective, prescription topical acne treatment may be recommended if you have stubborn acne and/or moderate-to-severe breakouts. These medications include azelaic acid, retinoid, antibiotic, and combination creams and gels. Boyloso / Getty Images These work in different ways—reducing inflammation, killing acne-causing bacteria, and encouraging the shedding of dead skin cells, for example. Whether or not you need a prescription topical acne treatment, and which one may be best for you, depends on the severity of your acne. This article looks at how these topical acne treatments are used, as well as some specific concerns regarding use on sensitive skin. 5 Signs You Need a Prescription Acne Treatment Azelaic Acid Azelaic acid is a prescription cream or gel for mild to moderate acne. It is also sold under the brand names Azelex and Finacea. This topical acne treatment is believed that azelaic acid works by reducing Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria most responsible for acne breakouts. It also helps normalize the shedding of dead skin cells and decreases inflammation. Azelaic acid has the added benefit of improving post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, the discoloration left after an acne lesion has healed. Azelaic Acid and Sensitive Skin Azelaic acid should be used with caution in people with sensitive skin due to side effects such as redness, burning, and irritation. It can also make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Treating Acne With Azelaic Acid Topical Retinoids Topical retinoids are a group of medications derived from synthetic vitamin A. They promote skin cell turnover, keeping your pores unclogged and preventing comedones. They're used to treat mild to moderate breakouts, as well as severe acne. They are also effective anti-aging treatments. Topical retinoids are often used to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, making them a popular treatment choice for people with adult-onset acne would like this additional benefit. Topical retinoids are extremely popular and effective. The most common topical retinoids used to treat acne are: Retin-A (tretinoin) Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) Avage (tazarotene) Tazorac (tazarotene) Differin (adapalene)* *Adapalene is more accurately described as a retinoid-like compound, but it's often included in the topical retinoid group because it works in the same way. A flare-up of acne is common during the first few weeks of topical retinoid treatment. Your skin should clear with continued used of the product. How to Use Tretinoin Cream Topical Antibiotics Topical antibiotics improve acne by stopping the growth of acne-causing bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes. They can also help reduce inflammation and might decrease the amount of blocked pores. These topical acne treatments are generally prescribed for moderate to severe acne. The most common topical antibiotics used for this purpose are: Clindamycin Erythromycin Topical antibiotics aren't used as often today as they were in years past because they can contribute to antibiotic-resistant bacteria and some users may experience side effects. To counteract this problem, topical antibiotics should be used along with another acne treatment medication, like a topical retinoid or benzoyl peroxide. Monotherapy with topical antibiotics are used for only a short time period (12 weeks). Topical Antibiotics for Acne Topical Combination Medications Topical combination medications are those that contain two acne-fighting ingredients. You get the benefits of both medications with just one application. These medications can kill acne-causing bacteria, normalize the shedding of dead skin cells, keep pores clear, and reduce the number of comedones, depending on the combination acne medication that your dermatologist prescribes. There are plenty of topical combination medication options, including: Acanya (clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide) Benzamycin (benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin) BenzaClin (benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin) Duac (benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin) Epiduo (adapalene and benzoyl peroxide) Onexton (clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide) Ziana (clindamycin and tretinoin) Combination medications that include a topical antibiotic offer a key benefit: Often, less of the antibiotic is needed to kill acne-causing bacteria than if the treatment were used alone. Additionally, studies have shown that using a combination therapy increases adherence to treatment and may, therefore, increase effectiveness. A Word From Verywell There are many prescription medication options available to treat acne. Talk to your dermatologist about which one(s) will work the best for your breakouts. Prescription medications can work quickly. You may start noticing improvement in just a few weeks. Frequently Asked Questions Can I use a topical acne treatment while pregnant? You'll need to talk about acne treatment with your healthcare provider during pregnancy. It's unclear if medications such as Epiduo are safe to use when pregnant. That's true of other topical acne treatments that contain retinoids, as well as azelaic acid. Learn More: Treating Acne During Pregnancy Does vitamin C help with acne? Yes, research suggests that anti-inflammatory properties of topical vitamin C can help improve acne and reduce oil production in the skin. Talk to your healthcare provider about using vitamin C for acne before you begin. Learn More: Vitamins for Skin Health Can benzoyl peroxide make acne worse? Benzoyl peroxide is an effective acne treatment and is unlikely to make it worse. However, it can have several side effects, including skin dryness, slight redness, itching, flaking skin, and minor peeling. Learn More: Acne Treatments Without Benzoyl Peroxide 6 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. França K, Keri J. Psychosocial impact of acne and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. An Bras Dermatol. 2017;92(4):505-509. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20175645 Fox L, Csongradi C, Aucamp M, Du plessis J, Gerber M. Treatment modalities for acne. Molecules. 2016;21(8). doi:10.3390/molecules21081063 Food and Drug Administration. Epiduo Forte. Tan AU, Schlosser BJ, Paller AS. A review of diagnosis and treatment of acne in adult female patients. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2017;4(2):56–71. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2017.10.006 Harvard Medical School. Why is topical vitamin C important for skin health? Sevimli dikicier B. Topical treatment of acne vulgaris: efficiency, side effects, and adherence rate. J Int Med Res. 2019;47(7):2987-2992. doi:10.1177/0300060519847367 By Angela Palmer Angela Palmer is a licensed esthetician specializing in acne treatment. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit