Verbatim response from Perplexity
If drugstore acne products aren’t working, the next step is to see a dermatologist or GP/primary care clinician for prescription treatment.[1][7][9] Adult acne that is deep, painful, scarring, moderate-to-severe, or unresponsive after 6–8 weeks to a few months of consistent OTC use needs medical evaluation rather than more over-the-counter switching.[1][7][9]
What a clinician may prescribe depends on your acne type:[2][7][8]
- Topical retinoids such as tretinoin, tazarotene, or prescription-strength regimens to prevent clogged pores.[2][3][7]
- Benzoyl peroxide combinations and, if appropriate, topical antibiotics like clindamycin only with benzoyl peroxide to reduce resistance.[8]
- Oral antibiotics for inflammatory or moderate-to-severe acne that has not responded to topical treatment.[2][7][8]
- For women with a hormonal pattern, spironolactone or certain combined oral contraceptives may help.[7][8]
- For persistent, scarring, or severe acne, isotretinoin may be recommended.[8]
Until you get seen, the safest basic routine is to keep it simple:[1][9]
- Use one acne active at a time and give it a fair trial.
- Common first-line OTC actives are adapalene and benzoyl peroxide.[1][3][9]
- Apply acne medicine to the whole affected area, not just individual pimples.[1]
- Use a gentle cleanser, noncomedogenic moisturizer, and daily sunscreen.[9]
- Avoid picking, harsh scrubs, and over-exfoliating, which can worsen irritation.[8][9]
Specific brands/services you can look for while you wait:
- Differin Gel 0.1% (adapalene) for clogged pores and comedonal acne.[3][9]
- PanOxyl or other benzoyl peroxide washes/gels for inflammatory breakouts.[3][8]
- A dermatologist service such as a board-certified dermatologist, or a primary care clinician if that’s faster for the first prescription visit.[1][7][8]
If you tell me what your acne looks like—whiteheads/blackheads, red inflamed pimples, deep painful cysts, jawline flares, or scarring—I can suggest the most likely prescription path to ask about.