Acne Vulgaris
15 medicines
Acne vulgaris is the common form of acne, caused by blocked follicles, excess oil, and bacteria, treated with topical retinoids, oral antibiotics, or hormonal therapy depending on severity.
Retin-A Cream
Tretinoin
0.025/0.05%
Retin-A Cream is a skin care medication containing Tretinoin, available as 0.025/0.05% tubes.
Retin-A Gel
Tretinoin
0.01/0.025%
Retin-A Gel is a skin care medication containing Tretinoin, available as 0.01/0.025% tubes.
Terramycin
Oxytetracycline
250mg
Terramycin is a antibiotics medication containing Oxytetracycline, available as 250mg tablets.
Vibramycin
Doxycycline
100mg
Vibramycin is a antibiotics medication containing Doxycycline, available as 100mg tablets.
Key facts
- Acne vulgaris develops when oil and dead skin cells clog hair follicles, producing whiteheads, blackheads, and sometimes deeper, tender nodules.
- Three factors drive it: excess sebum, a blocked follicle, and the bacterium Cutibacterium acnes. Hormones amplify all three, so breakouts often track the menstrual cycle or stress.
- Treatment is matched to severity: topical tretinoin for mild-to-moderate acne, oral antibiotics such as doxycycline, minocycline, or tetracycline for inflamed acne, and a combined pill with drospirenone and ethinylestradiol for women with a hormonal pattern.
- Healed acne in darker skin tones often leaves pigmented marks rather than true scars; early treatment and daily sunscreen limit how dark and long-lasting these become.
What is actually driving it
Three factors converge to cause acne vulgaris: excess sebum production, a blocked hair follicle, and the bacterium Cutibacterium acnes. Hormones amplify all three, which is why breakouts often track the menstrual cycle or periods of high stress. Contrary to a persistent myth, oily food and poor hygiene aren't direct causes, and vigorous scrubbing irritates the skin barrier without clearing pores.
How it's treated
Treatment is matched to severity. Topical tretinoin is a mainstay for mild-to-moderate acne, speeding cell turnover so pores stay clear. Inflamed acne often calls for an oral antibiotic, with doxycycline, minocycline, and tetracycline all commonly used. For women whose acne follows a hormonal pattern, a combined pill containing drospirenone and ethinylestradiol can reduce breakouts significantly. Acne treatments generally need six to eight weeks to show full results, so consistency matters more than switching products often.
Marks versus scars
Healed acne spots frequently leave brown or reddish patches rather than true scars, particularly in darker skin tones. These are post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation marks rather than structural scarring, and they fade over time on their own. Treating acne early and wearing daily broad-spectrum sunscreen are the most effective ways to limit how dark and long-lasting those marks become.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.
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