Topical Clindamycin for the Treatment of Acne

Topical clindamycin is 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. 

Topical Clindamycin Uses

Inflammatory acne is when bacteria blocks pores and the body's immune system responds to the bacteria and causes inflammation. Topical antibiotics like clindamycin work by reducing the number of bacteria that cause acne. The medication also has anti-inflammatory effects that help pimples become less red and swollen.

One of the main causes of acne is the bacteria Propionibacteria acnes. Lowering the amount of this bacteria on the skin can help prevent breakouts.

Topical clindamycin can be used to treat very inflamed forms of severe 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.

Clindamycin is not effective against comedonal acne, which is when pores get blocked by oils in the skin (sebum), leading to blackheads and pimples. This type of acne does not cause inflammation.

How to Apply Clindamycin to Acne

Topical antibiotics on 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, your dermatologist will prescribe another acne medication for you to use along with topical clindamycin—something like benzoyl peroxide or a topical retinoid.

Topical clindamycin comes in a variety of forms including:

• Lotions
• Gels
• Foams
• Medicated pads (pledgets)
• Toner-like solutions

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:

• Don't just spot-treat individual pimples. No matter which form of clindamycin you're using, apply it over the entire area affected by acne. For example, if you break out on your face, apply it to your whole face, not just to the blemishes you already have. If you break out on your chest, apply it to your entire chest.
• Try to apply your medication at the same time every day. The time of day you use clindamycin does not matter as long as you're consistent. If you apply your medication in the morning, do so every morning. Ideally, it should be done at the same time each day. If you're using your medication twice a day, apply your evening medication 12 hours after your morning medication.
• Be consistent. Do not apply clindamycin at different times of the day or skip days. Consistency is really important for treating acne effectively. You may get new pimples during the first few weeks of treatment but don’t get discouraged. Just keep using the medication as prescribed.
  

Formulations

Clindamycin is sold under different brand names, including:

• Cleocin T
• Clindagel

Clindamycin is also used in many combination acne medications, which are a blend of two acne-fighting ingredients. Combination acne treatments with clindamycin include: 

• Acanya (clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide)
• Cabtreo (clindamycin phosphate, adapalene, and benzoyl peroxide)
• Ziana (clindamycin and tretinoin)

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:

• Dryness
• Flakiness
• Minor peeling of the skin

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: 

• Severe headache
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Bloody stool

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.

Summary

Topical clindamycin is an antibiotic used to treat severe acne. It works by reducing acne-causing bacteria. Topical clindamycin works best when it’s combined with other acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide.

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.