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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November 13, 2008

Pros:

Best product I've used. Has almost cleared my oily clogged, mildly papuled skin in only one month.

Cons:

Nothing

My derm prescribed me a generic alcohol solution called Taro-Clindamycin.(Canadian product,it is similar to Cleocin T) It normally has only 1% clindamycin in it, but my derm prescribes it with 2% clindamycin compounded into the product. It comes in a plastic dabber bottle that I use only once a day before bed. Plus I only use warm water to wash my skin, no cleansers or soaps on my face.
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November 3, 2008

Pros:

Dries up zits and dries quickly on face

Cons:

none

Only dried up skin in the corners of nose a little bit but any daily moisturizer would take care of it, its not a severe enough issue to list as a con. Not the most effective solution to acne alone, would suggest using with a topical creme as well
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August 26, 2008

Pros:

It gets rid of some of the redness and helps to dry up individual pimples and you can see it working within several minutes. It is also VERY consistant meaning it will always take at least a little redness away but never all of it.

Cons:

Burns some for people with sensitive skin and also isnt 100% effective. Also leaves the skin red when applying all over the face instead of just individual treatment

It works BUT!! DO NOT OVER LOAD YOU SKIN with it. Don't be like me and think that by applying a sh*t load that it would clear my pimples up quicker. It actually dried out the skin and irritated the acne making it worse. i would use for on-the-spot treatment only when used in moderation, this stuff really works
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August 22, 2008

Pros:

for the first year or so it is awesome.

Cons:

antibiotic resistance

Okay I suffered acne for over 10 years and this really cleared me up when I really needed it. I was breaking out with numerous whiteheads everyday. But when I used this all my friends said my skin was clear, and it really was it was a great 2 years I had with this but then it started to wear off. Oh yeah I used the CLINDAMYCIN PHOSPHATE SOLUTION
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August 20, 2008

Pros:

no side effects, cleared whiteheads, lessened cystic pimples, seems to be helping to balance my skin

Cons:

doesn't do much for blackheads

I've had acne for about nine years, and have tried pretty much every OTC out there, most of them seeming to make things worse. So I broke down and went to my doc. She gave me topical clindamycin (in liquid form) and benzoyl peroxide (which I've used for years, but it's supposed to be more effective along with the clindamycin). I've been using them for about a month, and my skin likes it for now. I normally have very oily skin, and this seems to help with that problem. I still have a few pimples and some black heads on my forehead and nose, but I can't complain too much considering I can leave the house now with just a little concealer instead of caking on makeup. My insurance paid for it, so the price was fantastic (free!)
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June 4, 2008

Pros:

It has cleared up my face a bit and does not dry it out one bit.

Cons:

The first few weeks (i started using this two weeks ago) my acne went down but i woke up yesterday with three new NASTY pimples and was frustrated.

I dont know how long it takes but it doesnt work very quickly, but hopefully it will fix up my bad acne problem.
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May 30, 2008

Pros:

worked well! not sticky or too thick. and so cheap!

Cons:

some drying, but moisturizer with a few drops of jojoba combats it well. pretty bad when you stop using it, even for a few days, however...make sure you get your prescription refilled before you run out, or it won't be as effective.

i used 1% clindamycin phosphate gel, morning and evening. (morning, followed with aveeno ultra-calming moisturizer and three drops jojoba oil; evening, followed with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, then six drops jojoba oil, and same aveeno moisturizer.) ...combine this with not picking your blemishes (even if a few bumps pop up, this stuff knocks them out before they come to a head, picking will only keep the clindamycin from working!) and you'll have gorgeous skin. really, i was horribly skeptical of this stuff due to some of the negative reviews, but it's cheap and it works really well...my skin has never been so beautiful [and i had some pretty bad acne.]
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May 28, 2008

Pros:

Does not sting the skin.

Cons:

Did not work for me with my acne but I'm sure it could work for the right person.

Used the product for about a month. Irritated my sensitive skin somewhat but not overly. The product was affordable at $35 but was ineffective for me. I guess the quest continues to find that miracle product.
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February 19, 2008

Pros:

It pretty much worked over night for me. Over a week or so a lot of my acne was gone.

Cons:

Although it cleared up MOST of my acne it doesn't really clear up ALL of it. I still got occasional whiteheads and blackheads. And it actually stops working after a while for me.

Porbably the best solution for my mild acne I had ever used. Although it will dry up the face a little bit if you use too much, but its definitely worth it. Easy to apply, goes on smooth. It will bring down the growth of acne after a few days, or even one night. HOWEVER, it's biggest drawback is that it stopped working after a prolongged period of time! I can't confirm if it varies from person-to-person, but it stopped owrking on my skin, as if my acne became resistant to it. If you have very mild acne, this is definitely recommended.
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February 5, 2008

Pros:

Have only been using for less than a week and already the extreme redness has cleared up as well as many of the zits that I couldn't stop picking at. face feels smooth for the first time in ages! Also taking minocycline which may be helping as well.

Cons:

smells like death. Skin gets a little flaky but nothing a little exfoliating can't take care of.

I was using the AcneFree Severe Line and had a reaction to it, so my doc said to throw it away and she would give me something for the problem instead. She gave me the clindamycin along with an antibiotic. In less than a week, my face already looks 100x better. Just a few pimples remain. I had horrible HORRIBLE redness on my cheeks and nose and my skintone looks so much better. I will continue to use this as long as my doc recommends it.
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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.