Clindamycin topical and Dryness: What Users Say

• Cys...
• April 1, 2019

For Acne "This topical medication is AMAZING. I'm a 23 y/o male, and I've always struggled with mild cystic acne. I have Clindamycin Phosphate (lotion) 1%. Before starting, I had a cyst on my face that would not clear for 4 weeks and two more forming. Legit overnight, the swelling went down. I have been using this for about 7 days now (once a day) in combination with a 10% BPO (Benzoyl Peroxide) face wash, and my skin has already begun to clear. This product won't cause 'purging' like a retinoid or adapalene because it is an antibiotic and will not cause your skin to turn over, which is a huge plus if you're not dealing with moderate to severe acne (in my non-medical opinion). Some people say it causes drying, which it may. It has stearic alcohol in it, so if you're worried about drying, I would wait about 30 mins after washing your face to apply, as a freshly washed face will increase the likelihood of irritation."

• El1...
• July 27, 2014

For Acne "I am a 15-yr-old female, and I have had moderate acne for about two years now. I went to a dermatologist who prescribed me Monodox once a day, Cleocin T gel twice a day, and Atralin gel at night. I am about two weeks in, and I already notice a huge difference, not just in my acne but the overall quality of my skin. At first, I had a major breakout (not sure which gel this is due to) and a little bit of drying and peeling, but my goal was to be clear by the school year, and I am on track! The drying has gone away, and I am so excited for this product! Highly recommended!"

• Aly...
• March 1, 2016

For Acne "I used to have acne when I was younger, then after having my son, my skin cleared up. I would get the occasional pimple associated with PMS. Then all of a sudden, my skin went bananas! I was breaking out all over my jawline, neck, and chin, and they were cystic and hurt very much. I felt uncomfortable and very insecure at 37 years old. I thought my days of hiding due to acne were over. I've been using it for a week now, and it has cleared up my skin so much. I have to mix it with benzoyl peroxide as well. The only downside is it dries the skin and burns a bit, but the results are amazing!!"

• Bus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2016

For Acne "Highly recommend for mild acne. I was put on this to treat my mild hormonal breakouts. Within a couple of days, I had results! No redness, drying, or any effects. I wish I would have known about this years ago! Going to start my son on this also. I have the topical dabber. Works great!"

• Lee...
• December 13, 2016

For Acne "I used to have lots of pimples all over my forehead and temples when I was 10, and it kind of went on till I was about 12 or 13 that my skin cleared up. Later on, a few months after I turned 20, I started to get bumps on my forehead again, not really pimples, just bumps (occasionally 1 or 2 pimples). After a few months with this problem, I went to my doctor, and she prescribed me clindamycin. It's amazing! Just the first night, many of my bumps were gone! I'm on my 4th day now, and my skin is clearing up pretty well, the only downside is the dryness it leaves you with. With a good moisturizer, that problem is fixed."

• kap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2019

For Acne "Okay, so I was prescribed this about 5-6 days ago, and it has made my acne so much worse than it was before. My face has broken out everywhere other than underneath my eyes. Before using this, my face was 95% clear, I maybe had 3 pimples on a bad day. Now I have prob around 70 pimples on my face, and my chin is so dry it’s flaking off. I want to continue this lotion, but if it doesn’t get better in 7 days, then I’m stopping it."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 29, 2018

For Acne "I've tried lots of different combinations of treatments for acne over the past 6 months, and nothing was working. I was on Trinessa-Lo birth control (said to help reduce acne; it didn't), started Differin gel, tried more natural cleaners and facial treatments, etc. Absolutely nothing worked until my doctor prescribed Clindamycin. As a disclaimer, she had me switch to a more hormonally balanced birth control (Estarylla), continue to use Differin gel, and use Clindamycin on top of that all. But instantly after using the Clindamycin, I saw MAJOR results within 2 weeks. Just as a tip, however, DO NOT skip moisturizing your face, because this product is pretty drying. I recommend Differin brand moisturizer with SPF in it. My face is now nice and soft and pretty much acne-free!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2018

For Acne "I've used the benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin cream for 7 days, and I officially quit!!! I can usually tough out any initial side effects, but the way my skin burns after applying moisturizer (because it dries the heck out of my skin - seriously, my skin is red and scaly on my upper lip) is unbearable!!!!! I've never felt such a painful burn on my face in my life :("

• anx...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 14, 2018

For Acne "Best of any prescription or OTC acne product I've used. No irritation or drying (like retin-a or benzoyl peroxide cause). This doesn't seem to do much for whiteheads but works really well to prevent red inflamed acne. I think because acne is caused by pore blockage and bacteria aggravates it. This doesn't unclog the pore but keeps the bacteria from making it red and inflamed. Helped a lot before Accutane and is helping a lot now. The only thing that works better faster is Aczone. The best part of this is it is so cheap and surprisingly effective. Good for sensitive skin."

• Amb...
• November 14, 2017

For Acne "I was prescribed Treclin 1% (clindamycin 10 mg and tretinoin 0.25 mg) nearly 2 months ago by my derm. I've struggled with acne since I was 13, I'm now 19. I used Epiduo for 2 years, and that seemed to work, but would make my skin really irritated, dry, and pale. I took this alongside on and off Lymecyclin oral antibiotics. My skin got worse when I became immune to the antibiotics, and the irritation from the Epiduo got worse. I needed something less harsh that was going to clear me up. Up to now, Treclin has made my skin worse than it's ever been. I'm getting spots mainly along my jawline and chin (I never have had spots there before), and they are making me really self-conscious to the point I don't want to leave my house."

• Dna...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2020

For Acne "I was prescribed the topical gel 'Taro-Clindamycin/Benzoyl Peroxide' for acne therapy. Perhaps I used it wrong or applied too much. Within 48 hours of the first application, I experienced a small rash breakout all over my face and neck. You can't see it until you're up close, but I can feel it on my skin and when I touch it. It's itchy and dry. This has happened to me before, but it was so long ago I'm not sure if it was from the same antibiotic."