These medications include azelaic acid, retinoid, antibiotic, and combination creams and gels.
Azelaic Acid
Azelaic acid is a prescription cream or gel for mild tomoderate acne.
It is also sold under the brand names Azelex and Finacea.
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It also helps normalize the shedding of dead skin cells and decreases inflammation.
Azelaic acid has the added benefit of improvingpost-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, the discoloration left after an acne lesion has healed.
It can also make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Topical Retinoids
Topical retinoids are a group of medications derived from synthetic vitamin A.
They promote skin cell turnover, keeping your pores unclogged and preventingcomedones.
They’re used to treat mild to moderate breakouts, as well as severe acne.
They are also effective anti-aging treatments.
Topical retinoids are extremely popular and effective.
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.
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 tosevere acne.
Monotherapy with topical antibiotics are used for only a short time period (12 weeks).
Topical Combination Medications
Topical combination medications are those that contain up to three acne-fighting ingredients.
You get the benefits of both medications with just one tool.
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
You’ll need to talk about acne treatment with your healthcare provider during pregnancy.
Talk to your healthcare provider about using vitamin C for acne before you begin.
Benzoyl peroxide is an effective acne treatment and is unlikely to make it worse.
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Harvard Medical School.Why is topical vitamin C important for skin health?
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