Topical Anti-inflammatory
Efficacy
53%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Topical Anti-inflammatory
Acne.org’s Real World Take
An anti-inflammatory that takes weeks or months to kick in, so you’ll need patience. Provides modest benefit in some users. It’s never hit the big time in acne treatment. But it’s an interesting way to target acne on a purely inflammation level.
Topical Anti-inflammatory
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.
Used Dapsone (Aczone®)? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
September 9, 2014
Week 3 *UPDATE*
I am on my third week of using Aczone and I'm feeling pretty good about it so far. I immediately saw results within the first week of use. I love how mild and gentle it is. I'm hoping that it continues to clear up my skin, it's been the only product to work in years!!! *UPDATE* 04/08/15
It has now been about 7 months that I've been using Aczone in conjunction with Niacin daily. In the past 5 months, my skin has been mostly clear with the occasional small break-out (attributed to stress, diet and lack of sleep). I'm beyond satisfied with Aczone and my dermatologist would like for me to continue to use it, along with the Niacin. It's great to have my skin back! I do have a couple scars here and there, but nothing a home made baking soda mask can't fix (and a great concealer ;) )! Ask your derma about Aczone if you have moderate-severe adult cystic acne!
October 28, 2013
Good
Cons:
expensive
Wonderful product. Although I still have breakouts, they're a lot more controlled, and don't last as long. I use this twice a day (full face), and also throughout the day for spot-on treatment. Once I feel a bump, I apply the gel, and then usually by the next day, the bump is gone. For whiteheads, usually by the next day or two, the pimple is cleared. In terms of scarring, I've noticed somewhat of an improvement. In terms of dryness, I feel like I've used so many different products (benzaclin, tactuo, differin, clindamycin, etc...), so my skin adapts really well to different products, thus my skin does not get dry with this product. In fact, I never need to moisturize since I've been using it. Note that I'm using this product in conjunction with Doxycycline-Hyclate antibiotic oral pills.
February 23, 2013
Pros:
Gel consistency (helps in absorption)
Works Fast
No initial breakout (at least for me)
Targets inflammation
Good as overall treatment AND spot treatment
Cons:
Drying
Must be used twice a day to really see results (which gets tricky because of mentioned dryness)
A bit of a chalky feel when it dries
Expensive without coupon
This product was my transition from Accutane and it has worked great ever since. I can't say its completely cleared me up but it has kept my acne in check with minimal side effects but with very effective results. I recommend it for those who have had dead ends with BP or retinoids.
November 6, 2012
Pros:
Does not stain clothes, very gentle on skin, seems to work, makes my skin less oiley
Cons:
For me, I needed to use a BP wash before putting it on in order for it to work
I am a female in my 30's and suffer from severe adult cystic acne. I have wonderful skin on my face except my chin/jawline area which gets riddled with acne and every 2 months or so I get massive cysts (the kind that you can barely move your face and need injections). I was using this for about 4 months with some success until I started washing with Equate acne cleanser which is a BP wash and using the equate sulfar mask 2 times a week and I have noticed a great difference in my skin. Aczone, combined with the BP wash and the masks have really cleared up my skin. The nice thing about Aczone is that is is very gentle and does not dry out my skin at all and it makes my skin less oily which is why I think I can use the BP and the sulfar masks without over drying my skin. I can't say that it is perfect, I still break out, but it's better then nothing and better then most topicals that I have been on. I would suggest this product for any adult women with hormonal acne.
October 28, 2012
Pros:
works
doesn't stain
no smell
light
works great under makeup
Cons:
takes time to work, twice a day (morning and night)
I was on Doryx and Ziana but i still had a lot of hyper pigmentation left from my blemishes no matter what! Even if i didn't touch them at all, i would have a dark spot and redness. Aczone is great! it has a creamy white consistency (its the newer version). It doesn't seem to work at first, but over time my skin has REALLY improved. I have much much less pigmentation left and its great on any blemish i'll get. Just use it religiously and you'll see some great results.
I've been using it since june or july and by september it made a huge difference.
January 24, 2012
Pros:
Very effective
Cons:
Dries skin
I use it along with retin-a-micro and began to see results within a few weeks. The only thing is that my skin is now super dry but that is easily fixed with a moisturizer.
November 26, 2011
Pros:
reduced the infection
Cons:
expencive
It works. I just dont like getting blood test every month. My dr just upped my dosage so hopefully it will work even better. No side effects for me THANK GOD
September 3, 2011
Pros:
dried up pimples fast
gentle on skin
Cons:
does not prevent acne
expensive
My derm recommended this product for me as a daily topical. At night I use differin 3.0 and I am also on the antibiotic Doxy. The aczone is good on big pimples and cysts. It really dries them up quickly and makes them less painful. My insurance, Aetna would not cover this medicine and they wanted 300$ for it. Even with the coupon my derm gave me it still came out to be $170. I went back to my derm and asked for something cheaper but instead he got me a free bottle from the vendor and lots of sample sized ones.
Pros:
scentless
leaves skin feeling refreshed
can be worn under make-up