Where to get acne medication

Oral contraceptives , also known as birth control pills, are frequently used to treat acne in women. The drugs are able to reduce oil gland secretions by suppressing androgen hormones.

Oral contraceptives may be an ideal choice for women with acne that comes and goes with their monthly cycle and for those who need a form of birth control anyway. A handful of birth control pills have been approved by the U. But you don't necessarily need these specific brands. Birth control pills have been prescribed off-label to treat acne for many years. Most doctors agree nearly any formulation will give the same effect.

You'll also likely need a topical acne medication to use alongside oral contraceptives. Aside from the oral antibiotics mentioned above, the following are commonly prescribed oral acne meds. Spironolactone Aldactone is another medication that is for adult women only. It's not specifically an acne treatment but can be used in certain circumstances to treat hormonal fluctuations that contribute to breakouts. Spironolactone isn't very commonly used, and it's not a first-line acne treatment choice, but for some women, it's helpful in treating acne that isn't getting better with more conventional treatments.

Isotretinoin , formerly sold under the brand name Accutane , is a super powerful acne medication. It works when all other acne treatments have failed and is considered the best treatment for severe acne. Isotretinoin works by shrinking the sebaceous glands , reducing the amount of oil found on the skin. This, in turn, reduces the number of comedones or pore blockages produced. No pore blockages means lesser or no pimples. Isotretinoin is contraindicated for use during pregnancy due to the extremely high risk of birth defects and should not be used if breastfeeding.

If you become pregnant while taking isotretinon, the drug must be stopped immediately. If treatment is prescribed, you would be enrolled in the iPledge program , an FDA-approved initiative designed to reduce the number of birth defects caused by isotretinoin. Everyone has to enroll, even men, although the requirements for men and women who can't get pregnant are different than those for women who can get pregnant.

You'll also be monitored for side effects during the course of your treatment. But, the good news is most people only need one or two courses before acne is gone for good.

Your dermatologist will help you decide if this is the right option for you. Acne, no matter how severe, can be frustrating. If topical treatments alone aren't improving your acne, or if your acne is quite severe or widespread, an oral medication is the best option. In some cases, you'll only need to take oral medications short term, to get acne under control, and then maintain your skin with topical medications.

Other times, though, you may need to take them for longer periods of time. If you're at all worried about taking an oral acne medication, or if you have questions or concerns about your treatment, talk to your dermatologist. Dealing with acne can be frustrating. Our free guide provides expert tips to help you take control. Lactic acid is also a humectant, which means it draws water to itself and can be hydrating. So for those with dry or sensitive skin, exfoliants with lactic acid would work well without being too irritating.

Another benefit: Acne is inflammation, and retinoids are anti-inflammatory. Shah often recommends over-the-counter retinol or prescription retinoids to her acne-prone patients.

But keep in mind that retinoids can also be irritating, and if you have sensitive skin or a skin condition like psoriasis, eczema, or rosacea , even an over-the-counter option may be too strong. Your dermatologist can also recommend an over-the-counter retinol with a low concentration or a low-concentration version of prescription retinoids, which you might be able to tolerate more easily.

In fact, some experts recommend that those with sensitive skin opt for products containing retinal also called retinaldehyde instead of traditional retinol. Like retinol, this compound is a naturally occurring retinoid that the body converts to retinoic acid. And, as SELF explained previously , it has been shown in a few studies to be just as effective as retinol and other retinoids with fewer side effects. Adapalene—often known by the brand name Differin—is a synthetic retinoid that used to be available only via a prescription.

But it recently became available over-the-counter , which makes it a great, strong acne medication that you can access without a prescription. Warning: Sulfur smells like rotten eggs. It works by sucking up the oil. Sulfur is typically mixed with other active ingredients to get the most efficacy and with fragrances to mask the strong scent.

You can often find it in masks and spot treatments. This ingredient, which is a plant-based extract often billed as a retinol alternative, is not actually a retinoid at all. But in a few limited studies , it did show promise in managing things like skin texture and fine lines—without the side effects we usually associate with retinoids.

Today it might show up in a product all on its own or be paired with a low concentration of retinol to help boost the acne-fighting and antiaging effects without increasing the risk for side effects. Another prescription option your dermatologist might prescribe for acne is dapsone gel, such as the brand-name version Aczone.

Oftentimes dapsone is used alongside other acne treatments. And as with many of those other remedies, this can cause skin to dry out. Cortisone is a quick fix for acne emergencies, especially large cystic acne bumps.

The treatment works to curb inflammation, which makes it best for cystic breakouts and can be really good at combating hormonal flare-ups.

However, if done incorrectly, a cortisone shot can leave a small depression in the skin that lasts about eight weeks. Androgens, namely testosterone, cause the skin to produce more sebum. More sebum equals more acne. Combination hormonal birth control , which contains the hormones estrogen and progestin, helps keep hormones balanced and skin clear.

When these pills are taken at the same time as an oral contraceptive, many women see an improvement in breakouts, according to Linkner. The drug is sometimes prescribed to women with polycystic ovarian syndrome PCOS to relieve androgen-related symptoms like excessive hair growth , hypertension, oily skin , and acne.

Interestingly, it can also be used to help manage plaque psoriasis and may be combined with other topical medications, like corticosteroids, to do just that.

For example, out of a group of 10, women who have not taken co-cyprindiol, you'd expect 16 of them to develop breast cancer by the time they were This figure rises to 17 or 18 for women who were treated with co-cyprindiol for at least 5 years in their early 20s. There's also a very small chance of co-cyprindiol causing a blood clot. The risk is estimated to be around 1 in 2, in any given year. It's not thought to be safe to take co-cyprindiol if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

Women may need to have a pregnancy test before treatment can begin. Isotretinoin is a treatment for severe acne that comes in capsules. It has a number of beneficial effects:. But the drug can also cause a wide range of side effects. It's only recommended for severe cases of acne that have not responded to other treatments. Read all about isotretinoin , including who can take it, side effects and the risks in pregnancy. While toothpaste does contain antibacterial substances, it also contains substances that can irritate and damage your skin.

Using toothpaste in this way is not recommended. There are far more effective and safer treatments available from pharmacists or GPs. Page last reviewed: 12 July Next review due: 12 July Treatments from a GP See a GP if your acne is moderate or severe , or medicine from your pharmacy has not worked, as you probably need prescription medicine.

Prescription medicines that can be used to treat acne include: topical retinoids topical antibiotics azelaic acid antibiotic tablets in women, the combined oral contraceptive pill If you have severe acne, your GP can refer you to an expert in treating skin conditions dermatologist.

For example, if you have: a large number of papules and pustules on your chest and back, as well as your face painful nodules scarring, or are at risk of scarring A combination of antibiotic tablets and topical treatments is usually the first treatment option for severe acne. Many of these treatments can take 2 to 3 months before they start to work. Topical treatments gels, creams and lotions Benzoyl peroxide Benzoyl peroxide works as an antiseptic to reduce the number of bacteria on the surface of the skin.

It should be applied 20 minutes after washing to all of the parts of your face affected by acne. It should be used sparingly, as too much can irritate your skin. Benzoyl peroxide can have a bleaching effect, so avoid getting it on your hair or clothes. Common side effects of benzoyl peroxide include: dry and tense skin a burning, itching or stinging sensation some redness and peeling of the skin Side effects are usually mild and should pass once the treatment has finished. Most people need a 6-week course of treatment to clear most or all of their acne.

You may be advised to continue treatment less frequently to prevent acne returning. Topical retinoids Topical retinoids work by removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin exfoliating , which helps prevent them building up within hair follicles. Apply to all the parts of your face affected by acne 20 minutes after washing your face.