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Skin CareSkin Care

Acne, eczema, psoriasis and skin infections can look similar but require different treatment. A correct diagnosis helps avoid worsening the condition or delaying care.

Protopic

Tacrolimus

0.03 · 0.1%

Tacrolimus 0.03% and 0.1% ointment, applied to the skin for atopic dermatitis. A calcineurin inhibitor rather than a topical steroid.

From$15.13/ tubeView

Minomycin

Minocycline

50 · 100mg

Minocycline 50mg and 100mg, as tablets and hard capsules, used for acne vulgaris and bacterial infection. It binds the 30S ribosomal subunit.

From$2.40/ tabletView

Sumycin

Tetracycline

250 · 500mg

Tetracycline 250mg and 500mg, as tablets and hard capsules, used for acne vulgaris and bacterial infection. Bacterial protein synthesis stops.

From$0.25/ tabletView

Vibramycin

Doxycycline

100mg

Doxycycline 100mg capsules and tablets, used for acne vulgaris, chlamydia, Lyme disease and respiratory tract infection. A broad-spectrum tetracycline.

From$1.11/ tabletView

Elocon

Mometasone

5g

Mometasone cream and ointment in 5g tubes, applied for atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis. A topical corticosteroid.

From$8.50/ tubeView

Lotrisone

Betamethasone, Clotrimazole

10g

Betamethasone with clotrimazole as a cream in a 10g tube, applied for fungal skin infection and dermatosis. An antifungal alongside a corticosteroid.

From$6.06/ tubeView

Aristocort

Triamcinolone

4mg

Triamcinolone 4mg tablets, used for inflammatory skin conditions, eczema and psoriasis. A synthetic corticosteroid taken by mouth rather than applied.

From$0.77/ tabletView

Aldara

Imiquimod

5%

Imiquimod 5% cream, applied to the skin for actinic keratosis, superficial basal cell carcinoma and genital warts. An immune response modifier.

From$10.13/ sachetView

Minocin

Minocycline

50 · 100mg

Minocycline 50mg and 100mg hard capsules, used for acne vulgaris. A semi-synthetic tetracycline that halts bacterial protein synthesis.

From$2.63/ tabletView

Retin-a Gel

Tretinoin

0.01 · 0.025%

Retin-A Gel is tretinoin at 0.01% and 0.025% in a gel base for acne vulgaris, a vitamin A derivative that speeds turnover of the skin.

From$7.54/ tubeView

Betnovate

Betamethasone

0.1%

Betamethasone 0.1% cream, applied to the skin for eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. A potent topical corticosteroid acting at glucocorticoid receptors.

From$1.63/ creamView

Tazorac

Tazarotene

1 · 5%

Tazarotene 1% and 5% cream and gel, applied to the skin for plaque psoriasis and acne vulgaris. A retinoid prodrug converted to tazarotenic acid.

From$30.46/ tubeView

Efudex

Fluorouracil

1 · 5%

Fluorouracil 1% and 5% cream, applied to the skin for actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma. An antimetabolite that blocks thymidylate synthase.

From$8.67/ tubeView

Fusiderm B

Betamethasone, Fusidic Acid

2/0.12%

Fusiderm B is betamethasone with fusidic acid as a cream for eczema and dermatitis, a potent steroid alongside an antibacterial agent.

From$21.46/ tubeView

Synalar

Fluocinolone Acetonide

0.025%

Fluocinolone acetonide 0.025% cream, applied to the skin for eczema and psoriasis. A potent synthetic corticosteroid that crosses into the cell.

From$18.70/ tubeView

Retin-a Cream

Tretinoin

0.025 · 0.05%

Tretinoin cream at 0.025% and 0.05%, applied for acne vulgaris and photoageing. It normalises keratinisation so microcomedones do not form.

From$12.35/ tubeView

A-ret

Tretinoin

0.1%

A-Ret is topical tretinoin at 0.1%, supplied as a cream and a gel and used for acne vulgaris. The retinoid raises turnover of follicular skin cells.

From$17.00/ tubeView

Isofair

Isotretinoin

10 · 20mg

Isofair is isotretinoin 10mg and 20mg soft capsules for severe, conglobate and cystic acne, a systemic retinoid that shrinks the sebaceous glands.

From$1.17/ tabletView

Aczone

Dapsone

100mg

Dapsone gel applied to the skin, used for acne vulgaris and dermatitis herpetiformis. A sulfone with both bacteriostatic and anti-inflammatory action.

From$0.05/ tabletView

Tretiva

Isotretinoin

5 · 10 · 20 · 30mg

Tretiva is isotretinoin from 5mg to 30mg in soft capsules for severe, nodulocystic and cystic acne, cutting sebaceous gland activity and size.

From$0.98/ tabletView

Hydroquinone Cream

Hydroquinone

4%

Hydroquinone 4% cream, applied to the skin for hyperpigmentation. A tyrosinase inhibitor that interrupts the first step of melanin formation.

From$17.14/ tubeView

Adapalen

Adapalene

15g

Adapalene gel in a 15g tube, applied to the skin for acne vulgaris. A retinoid-like compound that modulates keratinisation and cell differentiation.

From$14.71/ tubeView

Isotroin

Isotretinoin

10 · 20mg

Isotroin is isotretinoin 10mg and 20mg soft capsules for acne vulgaris and severe cystic acne, a retinoid that cuts sebum at its source.

From$1.17/ tabletView

Renova

Tretinoin

0.025 · 0.05 · 0.1%

Tretinoin cream at 0.025%, 0.05% and 0.1%, applied for acne vulgaris and photoageing. A vitamin A derivative that speeds skin cell turnover.

From$8.50/ tubeView

Vaniqa

Eflornithine

13.9%

Eflornithine 13.9% cream, applied to the skin for hirsutism. It blocks ornithine decarboxylase in the follicle, which hair cells need to grow.

From$49.30/ tubeView

Soriatane

Acitretin

10mg

Soriatane is acitretin 10mg hard capsules for psoriasis, a systemic aromatic retinoid that regulates how skin cells divide and mature.

From$4.62/ tabletView

Micogel

Miconazole

15g

Micogel is miconazole in a 15g cream tube for skin fungal infection and dermatophytosis, an imidazole that disrupts the fungal cell membrane.

From$21.25/ tubeView

Elidel

Pimecrolimus

10 · 30g

Pimecrolimus cream in 10g and 30g tubes, applied for atopic dermatitis. A calcineurin inhibitor rather than a steroid, blocking T-lymphocyte activation.

From$57.80/ tubeView

Heximar Ointment

Calcipotriol

15 · 30g

Heximar Ointment is calcipotriol in 15g and 30g tubes for plaque psoriasis, a synthetic vitamin D analogue that normalises keratinocyte turnover.

From$39.10/ tubeView

Wynzora

Betamethasone, Calcipotriol

0.05/0.005%

Betamethasone with calcipotriol as a cream for plaque psoriasis. A potent corticosteroid alongside a vitamin D analogue that settles cell turnover.

From$47.43/ tubeView

Lomexin Cream

Fenticonazole

30g

Lomexin Cream is fenticonazole in a 30g tube for candidiasis, applied to the skin. It blocks ergosterol synthesis in the fungal cell membrane.

From$25.50/ tubeView

Temovate

Clobetasol

15 · 30g

Clobetasol cream in 15g and 30g tubes, applied for psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis. A potent corticosteroid that damps the local immune response.

From$7.79/ tubeView

Desonate Cream

Desonide

10g

Desonide cream in a 10g tube, applied for atopic dermatitis and eczema. A low-potency topical corticosteroid, anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic.

From$17.00/ tubeView

Diprolene

Betamethasone

0.1%

Betamethasone as a 0.1% cream for eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. A potent topical steroid that damps the local immune response and swelling.

From$7.01/ tubeView

Azelex

Azelaic Acid

20%

Azelaic acid 20% cream, applied to the skin for acne vulgaris and rosacea. A dicarboxylic acid that is antimicrobial against Cutibacterium acnes.

From$18.13/ tubeView

Cutivate

Fluticasone

10 · 20g

Fluticasone propionate cream and ointment in 10g and 20g tubes, applied for atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema. A potent topical corticosteroid.

From$29.75/ tubeView

Ultravate

Halobetasol

30g

Halobetasol cream and ointment in 30g tubes, applied for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. A very potent corticosteroid for localised inflammation.

From$21.25/ tubeView

Key points

  • Topical steroids reduce inflammation but the appropriate strength and duration depend on the body area and diagnosis.
  • Retinoids treat selected acne, but oral isotretinoin requires strict pregnancy precautions and clinical monitoring.
  • Antibiotic skin treatments should be used only for an appropriate bacterial infection to limit treatment failure and resistance.

Listings are for comparison only; suitability and supply depend on clinician and pharmacy checks, including prescription and pregnancy-safety requirements.

How the medicine groups differ

Topical corticosteroids such as betamethasone reduce inflammation. Retinoids include topical tretinoin and oral isotretinoin. Calcipotriol is used in selected psoriasis treatment, while fusidic acid is an antibiotic for selected bacterial infections.

What these medicines are used for

Uses may include acne vulgaris, psoriasis, eczema and atopic dermatitis. Fungal, bacterial and inflammatory rashes need different medicines. A steroid applied to an undiagnosed fungal rash usually makes it worse. Potency and the area treated both matter, because thin skin absorbs more of what is put on it.

Important safety checks

Do not use a potent steroid on the face, groin, broken skin or a suspected infection unless directed. Retinoids need pregnancy and sun-exposure precautions; oral isotretinoin also requires specialist monitoring. Avoid sharing antibiotics or reusing an old prescription for a new rash.

When to seek urgent care

Seek urgent help for facial swelling, breathing difficulty, blistering or peeling skin, a rapidly spreading painful rash, fever with a rash, or redness and swelling around the eyes. Pregnancy during oral isotretinoin treatment requires immediate contact with the treating clinician.

Further reading

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