Topical Antibiotic
Reviews
3.6
671 Reviews
Topical Antibiotic
Efficacy
55%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Note: Should never be used on its own and for a maximum of 3 months.
Topical Antibiotic
Side Effects
Low
Topical Antibiotic
Acne.org’s Real World Take
One of the less effective treatments out there. It should never be used on its own or for longer than 3 months and may lead to resistant strains of bacteria. It may provide a slight improvement in mild acne in some people.
Topical Antibiotic
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Read All About Clindamycin
Compare To Other Treatments
5
27.7%
4
32.3%
3
18.9%
2
14.2%
1
6.9%

Used Clindamycin? Rate It:

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September 3, 2009

Pros:

helps control acne, works fast

Cons:

makes face a bit oilier than usual

I specifically asked my doctor to prescribe me something that had clindamycin because benzoyl peroxide stopped working for me and its supposed to kill the bacteria. Well, clindamycin also kills bacteria and its working very well. I also asked for retin a and i think the combination works great! I've been using both since late june and i haven't had any breakouts since then. but i do have tons of red marks from the crazy breakout that i had before using clindamycin and retin-a. It was the worst breakout ever in my life. I was getting tons of cystic acne and new pimples almost every day. But thankfully i asked my doctor to prescribe me these and its been working good. i just have to find a way to get rid of the red marks and i'll be clear! right now i probably have like 2 very small, almost non-existent pimples. i hope the bacteria doesn't get resistant to the clindamycin though so it can keep working.
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August 5, 2009

Pros:

Helped the acne go away

Cons:

A little drying, a daily moisturizer is needed every day

I used a Clindamycin Phosphate topical gel 1% with Benzoyl Peroxide Gel 5%, and both worked wonders for my face. I tried Proactiv, Clean and Clear, AcneFree, Clearasil, Neutrogena, St. Ive's, and none really worked for my skin. With these products, the acne pretty much went away, and one pimple or two pimples come back every now and then. Ask your doctor for a prescription.
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July 12, 2009

Pros:

Makes Blackheads smaller, leaves your face feeling cleaner, Easy to pack, use and works pretty well on short notice. Diminishes redness of T-zone

Cons:

For me, at least, I find the pledglets smell unpleasantly, and they make my face red and somewhat sting if I've overused them. I've switched to a different brand of pledglets, and all of the above is nicely diminished.

The pledglets are good; a bit rough if you have sensitive skin like me. If you do, you can use it once a day, or once every other day. They make your face shiny, and clean, so I use it at night. If I feel a breakout coming on, or my nose is getting clogged with blackheads, I use it, and by morning, it's shrunk the spots. I've been using it for two years, but consistently for a year. My acne used to be pretty severe sometimes-- I also use Differen and pills, so I'm not sure what part the Pledglets play, but I do know that they are handy and convenient to have.
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June 29, 2009

Pros:

Has potential to clear up acne very effectively if used properly, applies clearly...

Cons:

Can lose effectiveness if not used properly, moderate drying of skin.

I've used clindamycin on and off for the past few years. When I initially started using clindamycin, it worked great and cleared up the vast majority of my acne. I stopped using it for a while because my breakouts stopped, however recently my acne has returned. I began using clinda quite frequently, 2-3 times daily, with no results. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW, that clindamycin is an antibiotic, and like all antibiotics, must be used in moderation. I was using clindamycin so often, that I developed an antibiotic resistance to its effects. Do not use the medication too often. Use it once in the morning and once at night for about 2 weeks. Then stop for a month or so before trying again.
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May 2, 2009

Pros:

great, it does dry your skin, so use Vitamin E lotion to balance your skin out. It gets rid of pimples easily but doesn't stop them from popping up. I would still recommend it though

Cons:

drying, otherwise it's good, i had no problem using extra moisturizer

it doesn't cure anytihng but gets rid of whatever is on your face. i used this in combo with retin-A-micro and the pill. I know how everyone feels, it SUCKS, but everyones different, and find what works for you. i went to about 3 doctors to figure out what the deal was, but eventually after I kept up with all three of the meds, everything started clearing up. good luck:)
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April 28, 2009

Pros:

reduces redness .. improvement in the initial phase...inexpensive..reduce dryness

Cons:

no improvement after certain time....get more pimples after ..

it's good for reducing redness due 2 other medications...otherwise it's a real waste
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October 7, 2008

Pros:

works for the time being...

Cons:

it works short-term only. it's very possible to work up a resistance to it.

don't use this, there are other products on the market that will make you feel better and get better results.
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July 29, 2008

Pros:

It really doesn't cause too many problems for my skin, and seems to be preventing the few cysts I get before my period.

Cons:

I can't tell if this is working or if I'm simply getting better on my own, and my skin has broken out again, it doesn't help noninfected comedones, or oil. My stomach has had problems since I started and I also got a yeast infection.

If you're going to bother with this acne medicine, you might as well just use 10% benzoyl peroxide or something otc. It isn't worth the prescription bother, and it doesn't really help if you have a lot of whiteheads or blackheads. Also, the antibiotic can be absorbed into your system and cause systemic problems just like an oral antibiotic, so be careful if your system is sensitive like mine. Not worth the trouble. No more helpful than over the counter products.
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March 27, 2008

Pros:

I used to Clindamycin 1% gel. I had moderate acne and OTC treatments weren't working. This cleared up my acne within a week. My face has never been clearer!

Cons:

When I first started using the gel it brought all my pimples to a head. So, for about a week my face had quite a few disgusting pussy pimples on it. However, this is it's way of working. So don't pick them and they'll go away and not scar.

I had been using Benzol Peroxide products and they made my face red and irritated. However, this product is gental on my face, it doesn't dry it out, and the best part is it actually works. I would strongly suggest at least trying it for yourself. It can be expensive without insurance but there are generics available which are much cheaper. Many times depending on your insurance most may be covered.
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March 4, 2008

Pros:

It is great on mild and moderate acne, it cleared my whiteheads for about 2-3 weeks

Cons:

if you stop using it for a while, your acne will probably come back. Also you can became immune to it.

I've been using it for a while for my moderate acne and it worked werry well in clearing them. But you should not use it alone.(it could not help if you use it alone). I used it with minocycline pills(doctor prescription). I didn't saw any side efects( only some redness after applying, but it goes away quickly). It doesn't make the scars better.
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.