Acnecide Gel

Acnecide Gel reviews

Acnecide Gel FAQs

• How long does Acnecide take to work?

  It can take up to 6-8 weeks in order to see any tangible results, so keep applying the gel as directed and persist with the treatment. If you find that you still do not get the results you want from Acnecide, you may wish to try a combination product such as Duac or Treclin, which contain a topical antibiotic and a keratolytic for a dual mechanism of action.

• How long do I need to use Acnecide for?

  You probably need to take it for about two months to get the full benefits of the treatment.

  You can use Acnecide for as long as you need to keep your skin clear of acne. If you are using it continuously, we normally recommend a break from treatment every six months to reassess your acne and give your skin a break from treatment. If your acne starts to come back, you can start using Acnecide again.

• Who shouldn't use Acnecide gel?

  Anyone allergic to benzoyl peroxide or any of the other ingredients should not use Acnecide gel. We would not recommend the use of benzoyl peroxide whilst pregnant or breastfeeding as the safety of the medicine during these times has not been fully established.

• What are the possible side effects of Acnecide gel?

  Like all medications, Acnecide has some common and less common Acnecide side effects. Some people may experience a mild skin irritation or adverse reaction to the gel. Any mild irritation and redness caused by Acnecide at the start of treatment will usually subside within a few weeks.

  It can cause skin dryness in some people and, more rarely, contact dermatitis. It also makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so you need to take extra precautions when using the gel.

• Can I use Acnecide gel with other medicines?

  Using Acnecide at the same time as some other acne treatments can lead to excessive dryness and skin irritation, so always check with your pharmacist before buying. Isotretinoin (also known as Roaccutane) can react with Acnecide and dry out your skin, so it’s best to avoid mixing these two treatments.

  Acnecide is best used to complement topical or oral antibiotic treatment in moderate to severe acne. When used in this way, it has been shown to have better results than either treatment used alone.

  Acnecide should not be used with other drying or keratolytic treatments such as Duac, Differin, Epiduo, or Treclin.

• What other medicines contain benzoyl peroxide?

  Mainly other acne treatments like Acnecide wash, Duac gel, Quinoderm gel and Epiduo gel.

• Does Acnecide 5% get rid of acne scars?

  There are many different ways to reduce acne scarring, and it’s best to speak to a dermatologist about the most appropriate treatment. Acnecide can reduce scarring, as can salicylic acid.

• Does Acnecide work on hormonal acne?

  It won’t address the underlying hormonal changes that are causing your acne, but it will treat the spots and pustules on your skin. You may also want to seek hormonal treatment like the contraceptive pill from your GP or dermatologist.

• Can Acnecide make my spots worse/cause irritation?

  It won’t make your spots worse, but like all acne treatment gels, it can cause some irritation and sensitivity. This is most likely to occur in the first few weeks of treatment and usually subsides after this.

• Is this an over-the-counter acne gel? Where can I buy Acnecide?

  You can buy Acnecide 30g at a pharmacy without a prescription, but you will need to speak to a pharmacist first. This is to ensure that the treatment is right for you. Acnecide 60g gel is a prescription-only treatment that you can get from your GP or buy online from The Independent Pharmacy from our Online Doctor.

• Can benzoyl peroxide ruin your skin?

  It shouldn’t, but if you have an adverse reaction — stop using it immediately.

• Do I use Acnecide before or after my moisturiser? How should I apply it to my face?

  In order to get the best results, you should wash your skin with a mild cleanser before applying the gel. Then, apply Acnecide to your skin, and once it has been absorbed, you can apply a non-perfumed moisturiser if necessary.

• Is benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid better for acne?

  They both break down the skin’s keratin (known as keratolytics), but benzoyl peroxide is more effective as it’s also antibacterial. It’s a more effective acne treatment than salicylic acid because it’s more comprehensive and addresses more causes of acne.

• Does Acnecide work on blackheads?

  Yes, it works on all forms of acne and spots. Salicylic acid is often found in blackhead washes and scrubs you can buy on the high street, but benzoyl peroxide is a more effective all-around acne gel.

• Is an acne gel better than an acne cream?

  When it comes to choosing between an acne gel and a cream, there is not much difference. Often, it has to do with the drug’s pharmaceutical formation rather than anything else. A gel is water-based so can be drying and also can leave a thin film on the skin. Creams are more oily than gel and are better if the skin is dry. Generally, it is the active ingredient in acne treatments that determines how effective an acne treatment is rather than the formulation (cream, gel, etc).

• Is Acnecide the same as Quinoderm? Is it just as good?

  Acnecide is exactly the same as Quinoderm — it’s just got a different brand name as it’s being sold by a different company. Quinoderm used to be made by BP and has now been discontinued, so if you liked it — you should switch to Acnecide.