Acnecide is a gel which you apply to your skin to help treat acne. It contains the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide, which attacks bacteria known as Cutibacterium acnes. These bacteria are one of the main causes of acne. You can use this medication to treat acne on the face, chest or back.

How does Acnecide work?

Acnecide contains benzoyl peroxide which reduces the amount of spot-causing bacteria on your skin. It effectively kills up to 95% of bacteria that causes spots. It will also absorb your skin’s excess oil and release glycerine to help keep it hydrated.

How long does Acnecide last?

How long Acnecide lasts will depend on how well your acne has reacted to the treatment.

It will actively work for as long as you continue to use it and the effects may continue to be seen for a short while after its use.

How long does Acnecide take to work?

Acnecide starts working straight away, and you should allow around 4 weeks to start seeing noticeable effects. In some cases, it can take 2 to 4 months for the treatment to have its full effect. It’s recommended that you introduce the treatment to your skin gradually to give it time to get used to it. You should always use the treatment as you have been directed by your doctor. You should not apply more gel or use the treatment more often than you have been advised in the hopes that this will make it work quicker.

How effective is Acnecide?

Acnecide has been proven to kill up to 95% of bacteria that causes spots and other symptoms of acne, like oily skin and soreness. However, everybody’s skin is different, and the effectiveness of this product can vary between individuals.

Applying Acnecide is simple and should be done once or twice daily using the following steps.

1. Wash the affected area with a mild skin cleanser and water.
2. Gently pat your skin dry.
3. Apply a thin layer of gel to the affected area (face, back, and/or chest).

When to use Acnecide

You should apply Acnecide twice daily – once in the morning and once in the evening. If you have sensitive skin, apply the gel once a day in the evening just before going to bed.

If you get any drying or peeling of the skin, you can reduce the number of times you apply Acnecide. For example, you may apply it once daily or once every 2 days, until your skin gets used to Acnecide.

How much Acnecide gel to use

You only need to apply a thin layer of Acnecide 5% gel. Generally, a 2.5cm strip of gel is enough to cover the entire face. So, you should adjust the amount accordingly.

Where to apply Acnecide gel

Acnecide gel can be applied to the face, chest, or back.

What if I miss a dose of Acnecide gel?

If you forget to use Acnecide, just continue using it as normal the following day or at your next treatment window.

What if I use too much Acnecide gel?

If you use too much Acnecide gel, it can cause skin irritation. If you think you’ve applied too much gel, then you should wash off as much as you can. When the irritation has improved, you can start using it again as directed.

You can buy Acnecide from most UK-registered pharmacies. It is available either in-store or online, from services like Superdrug Online Doctor.

Can I buy Acnecide online?

You can buy Acnecide online from UK registered pharmacies, like Superdrug Online Doctor. You’ll need to complete a short questionnaire so our doctors can assess your suitability for the treatment and make sure that it’s right for you. If your order is approved then your treatment can either be delivered to you or collected from a Superdrug store of your choice.

Can I buy Acnecide over the counter?

Yes. Acnecide doesn’t require a prescription as it doesn’t contain other active ingredients such as antibiotics. This means you can purchase it over the counter at your local pharmacy with a pharmacist's guidance. If you’re unsure about whether Acnecide is the right treatment for you, you can discuss your symptoms with a doctor or a pharmacist to assess your suitability.

Can I get Acnecide on the NHS?

Yes. Some benzoyl peroxide-based products are only available on prescription due to them containing other active ingredients like antibiotics and retinoids (exfoliants). Even though this isn’t the case for Acnecide, the product is still available on prescription, which means you can get in on the NHS from your GP.

Like all medications, Acnecide can cause side effects.

Common side effects

The following side effects are common and are seen in around 1 in 10 people.

• dry skin
• red or peeling skin
• burning or stinging
• itchy skin
• painful skin
• skin irritation

These common side effects often subside over time. In most cases, your skin just needs to get used to the product, which is why it’s usually better to use Acnecide less often at first. You should speak to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you and don’t go away.

Uncommon side effects

Allergic contact dermatitis is an uncommon side effect that is seen in around 1 in 100 people. The symptoms are usually reversible if you reduce or discontinue the treatment. You should speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you notice signs of allergic contact dermatitis or anything else that isn’t listed in the leaflet.

Rare side effects

The following side effects are rare and are seen in less than 1 in 1000 people. You should stop using Acnecide and speak to your doctor if you experience any of these issues.

• Swollen skin, especially in treated areas
• Blisters on your skin

If your symptoms don’t improve or worsen over time, then you should get in touch with your doctor as soon as possible. Anaphylaxis, which is a serious allergic reaction, is another rare side effect of using products containing benzoyl peroxide. You should call 999 or go to A&E if you notice any signs of anaphylaxis.

What to do if you get Acnecide side effects

The steps you should take regarding Acnecide side effects will depend on the type of side effect you’re getting and how long you’ve had it.

If you get any side effects and they’re making you feel uncomfortable, then you should discontinue use and seek medical advice. If you’re worried about any uncommon or rare side effects, then you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Acnecide is not suitable for everyone. Do not use it if you are allergic to benzoyl peroxide or any other ingredients listed in the medication.

Before using Acnecide gel, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist to make sure it is suitable for you.

When applying Acnecide, you should:

• avoid contact with the eyes, mouth, and inner nose
• not apply it to damaged skin – if swelling and blistering occur, you should stop using Acnecide gel
• avoid contact with hair and coloured fabrics like towels, bedding, and clothing because Acnecide can bleach them
• always wash your hands after applying Acnecide gel
• be careful when applying the gel to sensitive areas, like your neck, and monitor for side effects, like irritation
• avoid repeated exposure to sunlight or UV light, such as sunbeds

Medications that interact with Acnecide

You should tell your doctor if you’re taking, have recently taken, or plan to take any other prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications when using Acnecide. You shouldn’t use medications that:

• have peeling, irritant, or drying effects at the same time as Acnecide
• are also used to treat acne, including other topical acne products, unless your doctor has told you to, as this can cause skin irritation

Acnecide during pregnancy and breastfeeding

You should not use Acnecide gel if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding unless a doctor has told you that you can.

If your doctor has advised that you can use Acnecide during breastfeeding, you must not apply it to your chest.

If Acnecide does not work for you, several alternative acne treatments are available. Acnecide is an over-the-counter treatment, but there are many prescription-strength creams and gels that can effectively improve the appearance of your skin. There are also oral antibiotics that can be taken for more severe cases.

Topical treatments

Topical acne treatments are similar to Acnecide gel because they are applied directly to the affected skin and are available as creams, gels, and solutions. Topical treatments can work in several ways to treat acne, including killing acne-causing bacteria or increasing skin cell turnover to reduce inflammation and prevent new spots from forming.

At Superdrug Online Doctor, we can provide the following topical acne treatments:

• Clindamycin 1% + benzoyl peroxide 5% gel – a prescription-only acne treatment that combines benzoyl peroxide with the antibiotic clindamycin
• Differin cream – also available as Differin gel, both contain a topical retinoid adapalene, which works by increasing skin cell turnover
• Epiduo Forte gel – a branded gel that is only available with a prescription that contains 0.3% adapalene and 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, and reduces inflammation, unclogs pores, and increases skin cell turnover
• Epiduo gel – a less concentrated version of Epiduo Forte for less severe acne, containing 0.1% adapalene and 2.5% benzoyl peroxide
• Finacea gel – a 15% azelaic acid gel that reduces keratin cell growth to stop pores from becoming blocked and attacks acne-causing bacteria
• Skinoren cream – a stronger, 20% azelaic acid cream that works in a similar way to Finacea gel and may be more suitable for moderate to severe acne
• Treclin gel – a 1% clindamycin and 0.025% tretinoin gel that reduces inflammation and bacteria, and unblocks clogged pores to improve the appearance of skin within 3 months
• Zineryt solution – a solution that contains the antibiotic erythromycin to target the bacteria responsible for causing acne and zinc to reduce inflammation and redness

Tablets

Topical treatments alone may not be effective at treating moderate to severe acne. So, a doctor may recommend oral antibiotics, like lymecycline, doxycycline, or oxytetracycline, combined with a topical treatment, such as Epiduo Gel or Skinoren cream.

Oral antibiotics can be taken for several months and work by targeting the acne-causing bacteria on the skin. They are always prescribed alongside a topical treatment to reduce the chance of antibiotic resistance.

Our doctors can provide the following antibiotic tablets and topical treatments for acne:

• doxycycline + Skinoren 20% cream
• doxycycline 100mg + Epiduo gel 0.1%
• lymecycline 408mg + Skinoren 20% cream
• lymecycline 408mg + Epiduo gel 0.1%
• oxytetracycline 250mg + Epiduo gel 0.1%

If you’re unsure which acne treatment is right for you, ask one of our doctors to recommend an acne medication for you.