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Acne

Acne vulgaris is the common form of acne caused by blocked and inflamed hair follicles, producing comedones, papules, pustules and sometimes nodules.

Yasmin

Drospirenone, Ethinylestradiol

3/0.03mg

Drospirenone with ethinylestradiol as a film-coated tablet, a combined oral contraceptive also listed for acne vulgaris. Gonadotropins are suppressed.

From$1.33/ tabletView

Diane 35

Cyproterone, Ethinylestradiol

2/0.035mg

Cyproterone with ethinylestradiol as a film-coated tablet, used in the management of acne and hirsutism. An anti-androgen paired with an oestrogen.

From$1.03/ tabletView

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

Terramycin

Oxytetracycline

250mg

Oxytetracycline 250mg film-coated tablets, used for acne vulgaris and respiratory tract infection. A broad-spectrum tetracycline taken by mouth.

From$0.40/ tabletView

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

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

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

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

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

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

Key points

  • Blackheads are oxidised follicle contents, not trapped dirt, so vigorous cleansing does not remove the cause.
  • A consistent regimen is more useful than frequent product switching; visible benefit often takes several weeks.
  • Early treatment of inflammatory or nodular acne can reduce permanent scars and post-inflammatory dark marks.

The listings below are not a personalised regimen; lesion type, severity, pregnancy possibility and skin tolerance matter.

Matching treatment to lesion type

Topical retinoids help prevent blocked follicles, benzoyl peroxide reduces inflammatory lesions, and antibiotics are reserved for selected inflammatory cases. Oral treatment may be considered for widespread, scarring or treatment-resistant disease. Antibiotics should not be used indefinitely or as unsupported monotherapy.

Protecting the skin barrier

Use gentle cleansing, a non-comedogenic moisturiser and sunscreen. Start irritating products gradually and avoid squeezing lesions. Persistent pigmentation is different from a true scar; both benefit from controlling new inflammation, but established scars may need procedural treatment.

When to seek urgent care

Seek prompt care for fever with rapidly spreading redness, severe facial swelling, eye involvement, or blistering, skin peeling or breathing difficulty after starting a medicine.

Further reading

What is acne vulgaris?

Acne vulgaris is the common form of acne, caused by blocked and inflamed hair follicles.

What are the symptoms of acne?

Acne appears as blackheads and whiteheads (comedones), red bumps (papules), pus-filled spots (pustules) and sometimes deep, painful lumps (nodules). It can also leave dark marks after the spots heal, or permanent scars.

Are blackheads caused by dirt?

No. Blackheads are pores blocked with oil and dead skin that darken when they meet the air, not trapped dirt, so scrubbing harder does not remove the cause.

How is acne treated?

Retinoid creams and gels help prevent blocked pores, benzoyl peroxide reduces red, inflamed spots, and antibiotics are kept for some inflamed acne. Tablets may be considered for widespread or scarring acne, or acne that has not responded to other treatment. A consistent routine works better than switching products often, and visible benefit usually takes several weeks.

What medication for acne can I order in Singapore?

SGMeds lists products containing tretinoin, minocycline and tetracycline for acne, for example Minomycin (minocycline) and Sumycin (tetracycline). Each product page gives the strengths and forms.

Do I need a prescription for medicines for acne in Singapore?

No. SGMeds does not ask for a prescription to order medicines for acne: we place the order with our pharmacy partner, which prepares it and arranges delivery on your behalf.

Ordering without a prescription →

Can I order medicines for acne online in Singapore?

Yes, here on SGMeds: choose the product, strength and pack, then check out. Parcels go to Singapore and Malaysia by Express shipping (tracked, up to 1 week) or Regular shipping (up to 3 weeks).

How ordering works →

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