Acne Medications

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most recommended over-the-counter acne medications. It works by gently irritating the skin, encouraging dying skin cells to be shed from the skin. It causes drying and peeling of the skin. This helps in reopening all of those clogged pores. In addition, benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria that infect clogged pores.

Hydrogen Peroxide

An antibacterial ingredient that keeps your skin antiseptically clean, but it's too harsh on its own.

Azelaic Acid

An antibacterial cream prescribed by doctors to unclog pores.

Retin A/Retinoids (Tretinoin)

It is a derivative of vitamin A and is a very effective, externally applied acne control medication. It eliminates existing blackheads and closed comedones and prevents new ones from forming. It works by unplugging acne follicles and bringing acne pimples (comedones) to the surface. This is why tretinoin makes acne look worse in the first few weeks of treatment.

Isotretinoin (Accutane)

This medication is used to treat severe acne, particularly nodular or cystic cases.

Salicylic Acid

Renews skin and unclogs pores.

Antibiotics

Eliminate bacteria and fight infection.

Anti-Androgens

Reduces oil production in the skin and reduce the hormones that enable the formation of comedones.