Topical treatment for acne
Topical treatment for acne is available as washes, solutions, lotions, gels and creams. They may have a single or multiple active ingredients. There are numerous products available in supermarkets and pharmacies. Some require a doctor's prescription.
Active ingredients may have one or more of the following properties:
- Antibiotics and antiseptics to reduce counts of Propionibacterium acnes bacteria
- Anti-inflammatory effects to calm red, inflamed skin by inhibiting lipase production by P.acnes
- Anti-oxidants to protect cells from damage by free radicals
- Comedolytics to unplug blocked follicles (comedones)
- Keratolytics to peel off surface scale (exfoliants)
- Agents that affect keratinisation, i.e., that normalise skin cell maturation
| Ingredient | Properties |
|---|---|
| adapalene | topical retinoid: keratolytic |
| alpha hydroxy acid (fruit acids) | keratolytic |
| azelaic acid | antiseptic, keratolytic |
| bentonite | clay used to absorb excess sebum |
| benzoyl peroxide | antiseptic, keratolytic |
| cetrimide | antiseptic |
| chlorhexidine | antiseptic |
| clindamycin | antibiotic |
| erythromycin | antibiotic |
| green tea | anti-inflammatory |
| hydrogen peroxide | antiseptic |
| isotretinoin | retinoid |
| methyl salicylate | keratolytic, anti-inflammatory |
| nicotinamide | reduces sebum, anti-inflammatory |
| retinol | retinoid |
| resorcinol | antiseptic, keratolytic |
| retinoid | retinoids affect keratinisation and are keratolytic |
| salicylic acid | comedolytic, keratolytic and anti-inflammatory |
| sulfacetamide | antiseptic |
| sulfur | antiseptic, keratolytic |
| tea tree oil | antiseptic |
| tezarotene | topical retinoid |
| tretinoin | topical retinoid |
| triclosan | antiseptic |
| vitamin a | alternative name for retinol |
| zinc | anti-inflammatory |
Related information
References:
On DermNet NZ:
Other websites:
- Consumer medicine information – Medsafe
- Medicine data sheets – Medsafe
- Drugs, Herbs and Supplements – MedlinePlus
Books about skin diseases:
See the DermNet NZ bookstore