It depends on your type of acne.

Superficial acne- whiteheads/blackheads and small pustules can usually be treated with topicals - BP, SA etc.

Cystic acne- usually helped with antibiotics- i.e. Doxycycline

Inflammatory Acne- antibiotics- Minocycline

Hormonal Acne (if you are female)- Either Spironolactone or Birth control Pills

All acne can and should be treated with oral and topical together- for example Minocycline/Doxycyline and Epiduo/Ziana/retin A etc...

Go see your doctor, find out what type and severity of acne you have, and decide what options you have.

I absolutely cannot take Accutane, birth control, or Spiro- but I have found good success with Minocycline and Ziana- even though the Mino didn't work for me before, and Duac failed too..., sometimes its finding the right combination of treatments.