Clindamycin
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Clindamycin is a topical antibiotic that helps slow or stop bacterial growth and also helps reduce skin inflammation.

It...

Clindamycin is a topical antibiotic that helps slow or stop bacterial growth and also helps reduce skin inflammation.

It is normally applied twice a day.

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4
30.5%
3
19.3%
2
15.4%
1
7.4%

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May 27, 2012

Pros:

Clears ALL cystic acne
Prevents 90% of breakouts
Rids skin of excessive oil
Breaks the "breakout cycle"

Cons:

Does not clear blackheads

I am an 18 year old who has struggled with acne for about 4 1/2 years. It's not terrible but it's bad enough that it's made me self-conscious/reclusive when it flares up. I was very set on taking the pill, but my doc advised the 1% topical gel be tried first. I was skeptical at best. That night, I applied a light mask to all of my face, let it dry, and went to sleep. When I woke up, no new developing acne had shown. My acne is genetic (as my father had used accutane TWICE) and often cystic. I've been using this twice daily after thoroughly (yet gently) washing my face with a salicylic acid cleanser and patting dry for 5 days. I haven't had one pimple or "problem area" yet. I have had no dry skin. I have had NO side effects whatsoever. It doesnt change your skin (make sticky, etc.) throughout the day as long as you use just enough. I honestly couldn't be happier. I wrote this review in hopes of swaying a few acne troubled kids into trying some thing that actually works. I loathe reviews and never write them...but I need a good deed of the day :P I suggest you read the Wikipedia page on this stuff and truly compare it to other "acne remedies" out there. This is the only thing that's ever worked for me after trying some 10 over the counter cleansers including ProActiv. Give it a go (:
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April 9, 2012

Pros:

everything

Cons:

non

So, i started using this about 3 days ago. When i was younger i had severely bad cystic acne, but cleared it up with benzyl peroxide creme. So you'd think I'd have great skin now? Well, better but, I break out all the time now in hormonal acne, blackheads, whiteheads, clogged pores. And after three days of using this along with my benzyl 10%, it has seriously cleared up my face a lot. I have ridiculously oily skin, and it doesn't dry it out to make it worse. If anything my face has been less oily, which is fantastic. There is a bit of a smell to it, which doesn't really bother me as I'm used to it from using so many different acne products over the years. All in all, this may be one of the best medications for acne I've used besides benzyl. I put on the clindamycin first and then the benzyl.
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January 5, 2012

Pros:

No more deep, hormonal acne on my chin or cheeks
Easy to use with no mess
Cheap

Cons:

Smells
Drying at first but your face will adjust; need to moisturize
Takes time to see results; patience required!

I've suffered from deep, angry hormonal acne on my chin and cheeks for as long as I can remember. You know, the unpoppable kind that taunts you in the mirror. I firmly believe that the Clindets Pledgets that my doc prescribed (in combination with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide which is proven to be more effective than either of them alone) is responsible for finally clearing up my face. It's amazing! It took 1-2 months to start working but I seriously went from having at least a dozen painful zits on my face to nothing at all! My scars have even faded considerably. My nightly skin care routine: 1. Wash with Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin 2. Wipe with Clindets Pledgets 3. Apply 2.5% Spectro Vanishing Lotion for Sensitive Skin 4. Moisturizer with Neutrogena Moisture Oil Free for Sensitive Skin In the morning, I just wash and moisturizer. Hope this works as well for you as it seems to be for me!!
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November 13, 2009

Pros:

I no longer wake up wondering how many new pimples I have! It worked relatively quickly. I began using it in the AM and Retin A at night, but the Retin-A dried my skin out horribly (pealing, redness, etc.). I now use it before bed (the solution).

Cons:

Somewhat strong smell - I would also recommend that if you have sensitive skin to use only once a day (and not with other acne meds).

Great! Highly recommend and wish I had known about this YEARS ago!!!
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June 19, 2016
Made my face greasy and waxy feeling, hated it
This is NOT for people who have oily skin. I saw absolutely NO improvement and every time i used it, my skin became greasy and waxy feeling. It was absolutely disgusting. It made my already oily skin even worse.
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November 15, 2010

Pros:

Did clear up acne
I loved the chilly feeling when applying it

Cons:

made skin super oily
lost effectiveness
made skin dry

At first I experienced an initial breakout that lasted quite awhile. However my acne did clear up eventually. This product made my skin more oily than it has ever been and will make your face red. I stopped using it a week before my prom because I didn't want to have a red face :( after that I restarted it and it has never worked the same! I regret stopping it however I'm glad I found something else because I don't have to deal with the annoying side effects!
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October 20, 2014
3/5
I have mild, inflamed acne between my eyebrows, which consist of three to four acne cysts. I use this with retin a, and antibiotics for my acne. The first week, all my cysts were completely gone and the bumpy complexion I had was now smooth. Your dermatologist would likely say you wouldn't see results immediately, but trust me, you really do. About 2 weeks in, the Retin A caused me to breakout, so I put some of this stuff on but all of a sudden it stopped working. Not sure why, but maybe now it will take time to see results. I'll update my situation in 3 weeks or so.
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June 28, 2013
Semi useful for a short period of time.

Pros:

Clears somewhat

Cons:

Drying
Antibiotic resistance

Clears acne somewhat until your skin gets resistant to the antibiotic. Not a long term solution.. and not a product that you should use alone and expect to get completely clear.
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February 16, 2013

Pros:

Instantly worked
Didn't dry my skin
Faded a lot of my acne scars
Inexpensive

Cons:

None so far!!!

I have mild acne just on my chin and forehead area and it's always been my main concern, expecsially my acne scars. So my doctor prescribed me this and it had no cost. After the first use you could see the difference. I usually have a problem with dry skin with EVERYTHING I use but this didn't seem to dry out my skin that bad. I would deffinetly recommend this
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January 25, 2013

Pros:

The gel does not dry out skin.
Works amazingly well starting day 1.
Does not smell.

Cons:

Can be expensive.

I've been using this for about a week now, and it's already made huge improvements with my jaw/mouth/chin/nose acne. I wish I would have started using this years ago to prevent the scarring my acne caused. I have a prescription drug deductible before I can use my co-pay, so my first tube cost me $95. I'm super conservative when it comes to topicals so I've been using it once a day before bed. I am very anti-drug, especially when it comes to antibiotics, but the benefits are definitely worth 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.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

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.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website