Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesApplicationFormulationsSide Effects
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Application
Formulations
Side Effects
Topicalclindamycinis a first-line treatment for a severe type of acne that happens when bacteria clog pores and triggers the immune system to respond and cause inflammation (inflammatory acne).
Clindamycin is an antibiotic that is used with other acne medications to treat the condition. The oral form of clindamycin is also sometimes used to treat mild to moderate acne. It is more commonly used as a topical treatment, though.
This article looks at topical clindamycin as an acne treatment. It also covers how to use it and what the side effects are.
Westend 61 / Getty Imags
Types of Pimples and How to Treat Them
Topical Clindamycin Uses
One of the main causes of acne is the bacteriaPropionibacteria acnes. Lowering the amount of this bacteria on the skin can help prevent breakouts.
Topical clindamycin can be used to treat very inflamed forms ofsevere acne, including cystic and nodular acne. It can also be used on inflamed pimples that are hard to treat but not severe.
Clindamycin can be used to treat inflammatory acne in teens and adults.
How Long Will It Take Clindamycin to Work?You’ll usually start seeing improvement in your skin in about four to six weeks after starting topical clindamycin treatment.
How Long Will It Take Clindamycin to Work?
You’ll usually start seeing improvement in your skin in about four to six weeks after starting topical clindamycin treatment.
How to Apply Clindamycin to Acne
Topical antibioticson their own are not the best way to treat acne. They work slowly compared to other topical acne treatments. It’s more effective to use topical clindamycin with another acne treatment.
Using two acne medications may also help prevent antibiotic-resistant bacteria from developing.
Since using clindamycin on its own is not very effective, yourdermatologistwill prescribe another acne medication for you to use along with topical clindamycin—something likebenzoyl peroxideor atopicalretinoid.
Topical clindamycin comes in a variety of forms including:
Your dermatologist will help you decide which form is right for you. The form you get may also depend on the brand you’re prescribed.
Different forms of clindamycin acne treatment have their own instructions for use. Most are applied once or twice a day.
There are a few things you can do to ensure you’re getting the best possible results when using topical clindamycin for acne:
How To Store ClindamycinCheck the insert that comes with your medication to see how it should be stored. In general, you want to keep topical clindamycin acne medication at room temperature and away from extreme temperatures (e.g., too hot or too cold), moisture, and direct sunlight. Make sure you keep it in a safe place in your home that’s away from kids and pets.
How To Store Clindamycin
Check the insert that comes with your medication to see how it should be stored. In general, you want to keep topical clindamycin acne medication at room temperature and away from extreme temperatures (e.g., too hot or too cold), moisture, and direct sunlight. Make sure you keep it in a safe place in your home that’s away from kids and pets.
When to Use Topical Antibiotics
Clindamycin is sold under different brand names, including:
Clindamycin is also used in manycombination acne medications, which are a blend of two acne-fighting ingredients. Combination acne treatments with clindamycin include:
Prescription Topical Acne Treatments
Side Effects of Clindamycin
All acne medications can cause side effects. The side effects of topical clindamycin are not usually serious. The most common side effects of topical clindamycin include:
The medication may burn or sting a little when you put it on. You may also have mild skin irritation. Serious side effects from topical antibiotics like clindamycin are very rare but can include painful burning, cracking of the skin, or severe redness.
If you have any of these serious side effects while using topical clindamycin stop using it and tell your provider right away:
Most people can use topical clindamycin without any problems; however, you should tell your provider if you are having side effects that make you not want to continue using it.
Ghislain and Marie David de Lossy / Getty Images
The Different Acne Treatment Options
Summary
Clindamycin is available under different brand names and as a combination medication. It comes in different forms such as lotions, gels, and foams.
Side effects from topical clindamycin are usually mild but stop using it and call your provider if you have painful burning, headache, or stomach pain.
Topical clindamycin can be very effective but it’s not the right acne treatment for everyone. If it doesn’t clear up your skin, ask your provider about other acne treatment options.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Clindamycin topical.Reynolds RV, Yeung H, Cheng CE, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2024;90(5):1006.e1-1006.e30. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2023.12.017Gold LS.Efficacy and tolerability to fixed-combination acne treatment in adolescents.Cutis.2013;91(3):152-9Additional ReadingStein Gold LTopical treatments in acne vulgaris: guidance for the busy dermatologist.J Drugs Dermatol. 2015;14(6):567-72.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Clindamycin topical.Reynolds RV, Yeung H, Cheng CE, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2024;90(5):1006.e1-1006.e30. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2023.12.017Gold LS.Efficacy and tolerability to fixed-combination acne treatment in adolescents.Cutis.2013;91(3):152-9Additional ReadingStein Gold LTopical treatments in acne vulgaris: guidance for the busy dermatologist.J Drugs Dermatol. 2015;14(6):567-72.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Clindamycin topical.Reynolds RV, Yeung H, Cheng CE, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2024;90(5):1006.e1-1006.e30. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2023.12.017Gold LS.Efficacy and tolerability to fixed-combination acne treatment in adolescents.Cutis.2013;91(3):152-9
MedlinePlus.Clindamycin topical.
Reynolds RV, Yeung H, Cheng CE, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2024;90(5):1006.e1-1006.e30. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2023.12.017
Gold LS.Efficacy and tolerability to fixed-combination acne treatment in adolescents.Cutis.2013;91(3):152-9
Stein Gold LTopical treatments in acne vulgaris: guidance for the busy dermatologist.J Drugs Dermatol. 2015;14(6):567-72.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
