Acne is a common skin condition that causes spots, oily skin, and sometimes skin that is painful or hot to touch. You can get acne at any age, but it's more prevalent in teenagers and young adults. Around 95% of young people aged 11-30 experience some type of acne. Different treatments are available depending on the type and severity of your acne, including medicated prescription creams, gels, combination products and oral capsules. Quick Meds offers prescription acne treatment following a clinical assessment. If treatment is suitable, your medicine will be sent in discreet packaging to your chosen address.

Available acne treatments

• Epiduo (Adapalene / Benzoyl Peroxide) – Dual-action topical gel for mild to moderate acne.

• Treclin (Clindamycin / Tretinoin) – Combination topical gel containing a retinoid and an antibiotic.

• Duac (Clindamycin / Benzoyl Peroxide) – Antibacterial topical gel for inflamed spots.

• Skinoren (Azelaic Acid) – Topical cream suited for acne-prone, sensitive skin.

• Differin (Adapalene) – Topical retinoid gel or cream regulating skin cell turnover.

• Doxycycline – Oral antibiotic for moderate to severe acne, which works well alongside topical treatments.

• Lymecycline – Oral antibiotic capsules for moderate to severe acne, which works well alongside topical treatments

Types of acne treatments

Acne skin treatment options range from over-the-counter products to prescription-only acne medications. If you are seeking effective adult acne treatment, therapies are divided into topical applications (applied directly to the skin) and oral medications (capsules taken by mouth). In many cases, a healthcare professional may recommend using specific topical and oral treatments simultaneously for optimal results.

Prescription topical treatments (creams and gels)

Prescription acne creams and prescription spot creams generally work by accelerating skin cell turnover, reducing inflammation, and preventing pores from becoming clogged with sebum and dead skin cells. They frequently contain active ingredients such as topical retinoids, azelaic acid, antibacterial agents or benzoyl peroxide. Popular prescription options include Epiduo, Differin, Treclin, Duac and Skinoren .

Tablet/capsule antibiotics for acne

Oral antibiotics for acne work systemically to target overgrowing acne bacteria within hair follicles and reduce widespread inflammation. Typically prescribed for moderate to severe acne or when topical treatments alone are insufficient, they are generally reviewed after 12 weeks. Oral and topical antibiotics should not be used together. Common examples include Doxycycline and Lymecycline, which are usually combined with a non-antibiotic prescription acne gel or cream to prevent bacterial resistance.

Pharmacy acne treatments

Some acne treatments are available from a pharmacy without a prescription. These usually contain a single active ingredient, such as benzoyl peroxide, which reduces bacteria on the skin and helps unblock pores, or nicotinamide, which can reduce inflammation. Salicylic acid washes and gels are also widely available and can help keep pores clear.

Pharmacy treatments can work well for mild acne, including blackheads, whiteheads and a small number of red spots. Prescription treatments differ because they can combine two active ingredients in one product, or contain ingredients only available on prescription, such as topical retinoids and antibiotics. If your acne hasn’t improved after around 8 weeks of using a pharmacy treatment, or it’s becoming more widespread or painful, a prescription treatment may be more suitable.

Request prescription acne treatment online

To request online acne treatment with Quick Meds, follow these steps:

Complete the short online consultation form

Choose your preferred treatment and check out

Our prescriber reviews your request and may contact you to request clear photos of your affected skin to complete your clinical assessment

Once reviewed, our prescriber assesses whether the treatment is suitable for you and will tailor their advice to your individual needs

Eligible patients receive their treatment in discreet packaging, with follow-up and reminders for future prescriptions

Because these are prescription medicines, an order is a request for treatment, not a guaranteed sale. If a selected acne treatment is not right for you, our team will explain why and, where appropriate, discuss alternatives.

Delivery information

All confirmed prescription acne medication orders are dispensed by our GPHC-registered pharmacy and dispatched using fast, tracked delivery service options. Every package is shipped in plain, discreet packaging to maintain your privacy.

How do you know if you have acne?

Acne occurs when hair follicles in the skin become plugged with excess sebum and dead skin cells, creating an environment where the natural skin bacteria overgrow. This leads to symptoms such as blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules, or cysts, primarily on the face, chest, and back.

It is vital to obtain an accurate professional consultation to confirm your diagnosis, as other skin conditions can closely mimic acne but require entirely different management. For instance:

• Rosacea: Causes facial redness and papules/pustules but lacks blackheads. It is treated differently, with its own specific medicines.

• Folliculitis: An inflammation or infection of the hair follicles that presents as small red bumps or pimples, often triggered by fungal or bacterial agents distinct from standard acne.

• Perioral Dermatitis: A rash around the mouth and chin that can worsen if treated with conventional strong acne medications or topical steroids.

How severe is your acne?

Acne severity is categorised by the types of spots present, their depth, and how widespread they are across the body:

• Mild acne involves isolated blackheads or whiteheads;

• Moderate acne features larger inflammatory papules and pustules;

• Severe acne includes deep, painful nodules and cysts.

Determining your severity guides healthcare providers in selecting the safest and most effective prescription acne treatment.

Which acne treatment may be suitable for you?

How long do acne treatments take to work?

Most topical acne treatments and oral acne medications require between 4 to 8 weeks of consistent use before a visible reduction in spots occurs, with maximum results often seen around 12 weeks. Acne treatments work gradually, so results are rarely immediate. Timeline expectations vary based on acne severity, individual skin turnover rates, underlying causes, and adherence to a stable skincare routine.

Do acne medications have side effects?

All acne medicines may cause side effects, though not everyone experiences them, and specific side effects vary between treatments.

Common shared side effects for topical prescription spot creams and gels include:

• Skin dryness, peeling, or flaking

• Mild redness, stinging, or burning sensations

• Temporary increased sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity)

Common side effects for oral acne antibiotics include:

• Mild stomach upset

• Nausea

• Headache

• Increased sensitivity to sunburn.

Who should not use certain acne medications

Topical retinoids and tetracyclines should not be used in pregnancy and tetracyclines aren’t suitable for under-12s

Self care tips for acne

Establishing a gentle daily routine supports skin healing and complements prescription acne skin treatments.

• Wash affected areas twice daily using a mild, soap-free cleanser and lukewarm water.

• Avoid over-washing or scrubbing the skin harshly, which can exacerbate inflammation.

• Choose non-comedogenic (pore-friendly) moisturisers and broad-spectrum sunscreens.

• Do not squeeze, pick, or pop spots to prevent scarring and bacterial spread.

• Avoid wearing tight clothing over body acne to limit friction and sweat accumulation.

Why order acne treatments from Quick Meds?

Quick Meds is a GPhC-registered UK online pharmacy operating under strict professional standards. Every request for prescription acne treatment undergoes clinical assessment by qualified prescribers to ensure patient safety. We provide ongoing clinician advice, comprehensive aftercare, and fast, discreet UK delivery direct to your home.

References

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng198/chapter/Recommendations

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acne/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rosacea/

https://patient.info/skin-conditions/skin-rashes/folliculitis

https://www.bad.org.uk/pils/peri-oral-dermatitis

https://www.bad.org.uk/pils/acne

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13082/smpc