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Condition guide · /acne/
Acne treatment
Reviewed by Dr. Arjun Mehta, PharmD — Head Pharmacist. Updated May 2025.
85%
Adolescents affected
4
Treatment tiers
12 wks
Min response time
Isotretinoin
About this condition
Acne is the commonest skin condition globally and affects up to 85% of teenagers. It can persist or even start in adulthood, especially in women. Although it’s not dangerous, scarring and psychological impact make timely treatment important.
Treatment is tiered to severity. Mild acne responds to topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide. Moderate acne adds topical antibiotics or short oral antibiotic courses. Severe or scarring acne — and acne that hasn’t responded after a fair trial — is treated with isotretinoin (Roaccutane), which is highly effective but needs careful monitoring.
Treatment options
Topical retinoids
Adapalene, tretinoin. Unclog pores and reduce inflammation. First-line for almost all acne. Apply nightly.
Benzoyl peroxide
Oral antibiotics
Doxycycline, lymecycline. Used for moderate acne for up to 3 months — never alone, always with a topical retinoid.
Isotretinoin
Oral vitamin A derivative. Often curative in severe acne. Strict monitoring; teratogenic — pregnancy must be excluded.
Common questions
How long until treatment works?
Allow at least 12 weeks. Most treatments cause an initial flare or dryness before improvement.
Do I need isotretinoin?
Consider it for severe or scarring acne, or moderate acne unresponsive to 3–6 months of standard treatment. It needs specialist supervision.
Is acne caused by diet?
Diet plays a small role. High-glycaemic foods and dairy are weakly linked. Lifestyle alone rarely fixes acne.
Dr. Arjun Mehta, PharmD · Head Pharmacist
/our-pharmacists/arjun-mehta/ — Reviewed May 2025
This guide is reviewed every 12 months or sooner when clinical guidance changes. If you have a specific medical question, call our pharmacist team — we answer the phone, not a bot.
