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What Is Superdrug Online Doctor?
We're a service that helps you order treatments online from UK-registered doctors with free, discreet, to-your-door deliveries.
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Acne Treatments
Order Prescription-Strength Acne Treatment Online
Acne is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It usually affects teenagers and young adults but older adults can also have it. A wide range of treatments is available for acne, ranging from creams and tablets to lasers and extractions.
If you’re not sure if you have acne, you can get a quick diagnosis with our photo diagnosis service without booking an appointment or leaving your home.
To place an order, fill in a brief questionnaire. One of our doctors will review your order and prescribe a treatment if suitable. Existing patients should login first.
| Medication | Pack Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Acnecide Gel 5% | 30g - 60g | from £10.49 |
| Aknemycin Plus 4% | 25ml | £22.00 |
| Clindamycin 1% and Benzoyl Peroxide 5% Gel | 30g | £28.00 |
| Differin Cream | 45g | £27.50 |
| Differin Gel | 45g | £27.50 |
| Duac Gel 5/1% | 30g | £28.00 |
| Epiduo Gel (Adapalene 0.1% with Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%) | 45g | £49.00 |
| Epiduo Forte Gel (Adapalene 0.3% with Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%) | 45g | £37.00 |
| Finacea Gel (Azelaic acid 15%) | 30g | £22.00 |
| Skinoren Cream (Azelaic acid 20%) | 30g | £15.00 |
| Treclin Gel 1/0.025% | 30g | £27.00 |
| Zineryt | 30ml | £20.00 |
| Doxycycline 100mg Capsules + Azelaic Acid (Skinoren) 20% cream | 84 x 100mg capsules + 1 x 30g cream | £55.00 |
| Doxycycline 100mg Capsules + Epiduo gel 0.1% | 84 x 100mg Capsules + 1 x 45g gel | £65.00 |
| Lymecycline 408mg Capsules + Skinoren 20% cream | 84 x 408mg Capsules + 1 30g Cream | £55.00 |
| Lymecycline 408mg Capsule + Epiduo 0.1% Gel | 84 x 408mg Capsules + 1 45g gel | £60.00 |
| Photo Diagnosis | (not including treatment) | £20.00 |
Click & Collect: FREE (available for next-day collection in Superdrug Pharmacies)
Next Day Delivery: £3.99
Dispensing and standard delivery included.
How our service works
- Complete a short questionnaire about your health.
- A Superdrug Online Doctor will write back to you to let you know which treatments are eligible for you.
- You will then be able to select and pay for your treatment.
- Orders received before 4pm will be sent out the same day. Orders received after 4pm will be sent out the next working day.
- Your treatment will be posted to you via your choice of first class or next day delivery.
- This will be contactless delivery. Someone will need to be home to tell the courier that they can sign on your behalf or they won't be able to deliver your parcel.
- The treatment arrives in plain, discreet packaging.
Side effects from the antibiotics we offer are rare but can include:
- nausea
- diarrhoea
- skin rashes
There are lots of products available over-the-counter in your local pharmacy that may help treat your acne. You should try these products before trying our prescription-only medicines.
Your GP should be able to give you further advice about other treatments for your acne.
If you would like to discuss your condition with one of our online doctors, you can also book a telephone consultation for further advice.
Acne Treatment Options
What is Acne?
Acne is a common inflammatory skin condition that’s caused when our hair follicles are blocked with dead skin cells and sebum. Sebum is a type of oil that is made by a gland in our follicles and helps to moisturise and protect our skin. Bacteria can also collect in the follicle, causing pus to form.
Acne often affects the face but can also affect other areas of the body like the back, chest, neck, shoulders, and upper arms. Acne can cause the skin to become red as well as causing spots, pimples, and cysts. It is treatable in many cases, although the most suitable treatment varies from case to case.
How common is acne?
Acne is quite common, affecting around 95% of people aged between 11 and 30 years old. How bad the acne can get can be very different from person to person. Most people will find that their acne clears up in early adulthood, but around 3% of people will continue to have acne when they are over 35 years old.
What types of acne are there?
Acne can appear in different forms, and some of the most common types are listed here.
Blackheads
Blackheads are caused when a follicle becomes clogged by dead skin cells and sebum, and the follicle remains open. With the follicle open, the contents are exposed to air, allowing them to react with oxygen in the air. This causes the contents to turn black in a process known as oxidation.
Whiteheads
Whiteheads are similar to blackheads, the main difference between them is that the follicle is closed. With the follicle closed, oxidation does not occur, and the contents remain white instead of turning black.
Papules
Papules are small bumps on the skin that usually turn red and have no pus visible beneath the skin. With a papule, the contents of the plugged follicle have put enough pressure on the walls of the follicle to cause them to break. The contents then spill out into the surrounding area, causing irritation and tenderness to the surrounding tissues.
Pustules
A papule will often turn into a pustule within a few days. The main difference between a pustule and a papule is that a pustule will contain pus that’s visible on the surface. Much like a papule, a pustule will typically have a red or pink base, although the centre of the bump will be white or yellow in colour.
Nodules
Nodules occur when clogged pores grow larger and become more irritated. One of the key differences between nodules and the acne types already mentioned is that nodules are deeper under the skin. They can be hard and painful.
Cysts
Cysts are the largest type of acne. They go even deeper than nodules do and often occur because of an infection. Cysts can be very painful to the touch and can also result in permanent scars.
What causes acne?
A hair follicle is a small opening in the outer layer of the skin. Individual hairs grow from the base of follicles and through the opening of the follicle on the skin surface. Next to our hair follicles are glands that make sebum and once secreted from the gland, sebum will usually travel up the hair follicle to the surface where it can nourish and protect the skin.
Sebum will sometimes not make it to the surface of the skin, becoming clogged in the follicle instead, potentially causing the follicle to become inflamed and swollen. Dead skin can also gather in the follicle, along with bacteria, and where bacteria collect you are also likely to find pus. The result is the spots and pimples that acne causes.
What can cause acne flare-ups?
Many people with acne will have periods where their acne is under control, only for it to flare up occasionally. During flare-ups, the patient can have more spots and the spots they have can become more severe. Certain triggers are known to cause acne flare-ups:
Hormonal changes
Teenagers are the most likely age group to have acne because of hormone changes in their bodies. During puberty, an increase in the levels of certain hormones causes the sebaceous glands to grow larger and start making more sebum. This increase in sebum production is one of the main causes of acne. Some people will go through hormone changes later in life that can cause acne, especially women, for example during pregnancy or at certain stages of their menstrual cycle.
Diet
It is often thought that greasy foods and chocolate can trigger acne, but this is not the case. Some studies have shown that eating foods high in carbohydrates is a potential trigger for acne. Foods that are high in carbohydrates include pasta, bread, beans, soft drinks, and pastries. However, while this is not proven, a healthy diet will always benefit your skin.
Medication
Some medicines can also trigger acne. Such medicines include, but are not limited to, some contraceptives, oral corticosteroids, and less commonly some B vitamins.
Stress
Although stress will not cause acne, studies suggest that stress can make acne worse for people who already have it.
How is acne treated?
There is a large selection of acne treatments available, and which treatment is most suitable for you will depend on the severity of your case, among other factors. One of our doctors will be able to recommend treatment most suitable for your case.
Antibiotic tablets for Acne
Antibiotic tablets are usually used for more severe acne, in combination with a topical treatment.
Lymecycline
Lymecycline is an antibacterial medication that works by killing the bacteria responsible for acne.
In most cases, only 1 capsule is taken per day. It’s important to drink plenty of water when you take the capsule, to avoid irritating your oesophagus (food pipe).
One study showed that lymecycline reduced acne severity by just over 42%.
Oxytetracycline
Oxytetracycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, which means it can be used to help kill a wide range of bacteria including those responsible for acne. The doctor will recommend the correct dose for you. The tablets should be taken on an empty stomach 1 hour before you eat, or 2 hours after you eat. You should also try to avoid drinking milk within 2 hours before or after taking the medication.
A study has shown that oxytetracycline reduces acne symptoms by around 70%.
Hormonal Acne Treatments
Hormonal treatment may work well for women with acne, especially if it flares up around the time of their period. Some combined contraceptive pills will reduce the levels of certain hormones known as androgens in the body. A reduction in androgens will, in turn, help to reduce how much sebum is produced, helping to control acne.
It’s important that combined contraceptive pills are used because they need to contain both oestrogen and progestogen to be effective. The mini pill, which contains only progestogen, may actually make acne worse.
Retinoid tablets
Retinoids are a group of drugs that are made from vitamin A. Vitamin A is important for healthy skin because it encourages the production of elastin and collagen, and retinoids encourage the production of new skin cells.
New skin cell growth will cause dead skin cells to be removed (exfoliation), helping to clear pores of dead skin cells and excess oil. Retinoids also help to reduce inflammation, reducing pain and irritation and helping to improve the appearance of the skin.
Over the counter acne treatments
Most people will use acne treatment that’s available without a prescription. Such treatments will usually be in the form of face washes or creams that are applied directly to the affected area and help to keep follicles clean of oil and debris, as well as helping to kill bacteria. It’s important not to over wash the face as acne is not caused by poor hygiene. Washing twice a day with a gentle soap or face wash is enough.
One of the most common ingredients in acne washes and creams is benzoyl peroxide (BP), which is an antibacterial agent. The effectiveness of non-prescription acne treatments varies. Those that contain active ingredients like BP are more likely to be effective.
Topical acne treatments
Topical treatments are applied directly to the affected skin. For people with mild to moderate acne, the doctor will recommend trying a single topical treatment: a topical retinoid, an antibiotic cream, or azelaic acid. Some of the most effective treatments are listed below.
Zineryt
Zineryt contains erythromycin and zinc acetate. Erythromycin is an antibacterial agent that can help to kill bacteria responsible for acne. Zinc is a healing agent, meaning it can repair some of the damage caused by spots and pimples.
Wash your hands and the affected area before using this medication. Zineryt should be applied directly to the affected area twice a day and the whole area should be covered. The eyes, nose, and mouth should be avoided, however. The treatment should be used for up to 10 to 12 weeks.
One study showed Zineryt to be just over 64% effective at reducing acne by the end of the course.
Zineryt will only be prescribed to people who are pregnant and/or breastfeeding.
Epiduo
You should wash your hands and the affected area before using Epiduo. The medication contains benzoyl peroxide and adapalene. Benzoyl peroxide helps to kill bacteria causing acne, while adapalene is a retinoid. This means it exfoliates the skin to remove dead skin cells, dirt and oil, and also helps to accelerate the turnover of skin cells.
Apply a thin layer of the medication to the affected area once a day. Care should be taken not to apply Epiduo on cuts, scratches, and sunburnt areas and you should also avoid getting it in your eyes, nose, and mouth.
One study showed that just over 75% of participants using the treatment saw a reduction in acne by more than 75% in the total number of lesions.
Differin
Differin also contains the retinoid adapalene. It acts on the skin processes that cause acne, with anti-inflammatory properties that help with discomfort and irritation. Differin is usually applied to the affected area once a day, just before you go to bed. You must wash and rinse the area thoroughly with warm water and pat dry.
Aknemycin Plus
Aknemycin Plus contains erythromycin and tretinoin. Erythromycin, an antibiotic, helps to kill bacteria in the affected area. Tretinoin, a retinoid, accelerates the turnover of skin cells and clears dead cells and dirt from the skin.
Make sure that you clean the affected area before applying the treatment. Aknemycin Plus should be applied using the applicator, and the whole affected area should be covered. Take care not to apply the medication to broken or sensitive skin and avoid the eyes, nose, lips, and mouth.
Non-pharmaceutical treatments
A variety of non-pharmaceutical treatments are also available for acne, including:
Drainage or extractions
Many people will try and deal with their spots by squeezing them to remove them. If you do this, however, you might end up making the situation worse. Not only that, but some spots are too deep under the skin to be squeezed out.
Other non-pharmaceutical treatments
In addition to those mentioned, there is a wide range of other treatments that some have suggested might work. These can range from homemade facial masks to getting more exercise. Some of these treatments have no basis in science, whereas others can be reasonably effective. It is important that you talk to a doctor first before trying a new acne treatment.
Which acne treatment is right for me?
Which acne treatment is right for you will depend on various factors, including the type of acne you have. If you are unsure of which treatment you need, our doctors will be able to recommend the most suitable treatment for you and give you a prescription if needed.
How can I prevent acne?
Acne is not down to poor hygiene, but regular cleaning can still help to keep acne under control. Wash the affected area regularly using a mild soap to avoid irritating the skin. Also, be mindful of which cosmetics or other products you are using on your face.
You should also try and identify triggers that might be causing flare-ups. Keeping a diary of your activities, including what you eat, can help you identify what makes your acne worse.
Acne treatment side effects
Potential side effects of topical acne treatments include:
- redness
- dryness
- irritation
- itching
- burning
- peeling
Potential side effects of antibiotic pills include:
- light-headedness
- upset stomach
- swelling
- tight throat
- breathlessness
It is also important to note that many of these treatments cannot be used if pregnant or breastfeeding, so you must talk to your doctor about which medication or cream is best for you.
For more information about the potential side effects of your medication, you should read the patient information leaflet that comes with it. Or, you can also ask your doctor for advice.
Sources
Multicenter study for efficacy and safety evaluation of a fixed dose combination gel (2015) Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia [Accessed 15 June 21]
Association between stress and acne (2017) Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology [Accessed 15 June 21]
Acne due to a medicine (2014) DermNet NZ [Accessed 15 June 21]
Zinc in Wound Healing Modulation (2018) National Library of Medicine [Accessed 15 June 21]
Diet and acne update: carbohydrates emerge as the main culprit (2014) National Library of Medicine [Accessed 15 June 21]
A randomized, single blind comparison of topical clindamycin + benzoyl peroxide (Duac) and erythromycin + zinc acetate (Zineryt) in the treatment of mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris (2007) National Library of Medicine [Accessed 15 June 21]
A comparison of the efficacy and safety of lymecycline and minocycline in patients with moderately severe acne vulgaris (1998) National Library of Medicine [Accessed 15 June 21]
Benzoyl peroxide (2019) NHS [Accessed 15 June 21]
Acne (2019) NHS [Accessed 15 June 21]
Over the counter Acne Treatments (2012) The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology [Accessed 15 June 21]
Oral retinoids (2020) DermNet NZ [Accessed 13 July 21]
To place an order, fill in a brief questionnaire. One of our doctors will review your order and prescribe a treatment if suitable. Existing patients should login first.