Acne Cream
Triple-action topical for acne: antibiotic (clindamycin + erythromycin) and antifungal (ketoconazole). Covers bacterial and fungal acne.
Cream
from $139/mo
Applied to the skin · Once a day
AcnePrescriptionStrong
Acne Cream with Tretinoin
Tretinoin for acne: prescription strength, faster results than OTC salicylic acid. Requires sun protection and tolerance for initial irritation.
- Tretinoin clears acne faster than OTC treatments
- Stimulates cell turnover and reduces comedones
- Also improves fine lines and texture
- Monthly$139/mo
- Free, discreet shipping
- Licensed U.S. pharmacy
- Board-certified physicians
Disclaimer: Prescription products require an online evaluation with a licensed medical professional who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. Products are compounded by a licensed pharmacy. The FDA has not reviewed or approved compounded products for any use for safety, efficacy, or quality. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved brand-name products.
- How
- Applied to the skin
- How often
- Once a day
- Each shipment
- 1 tube
- Strength
- 2 / 4 / 2 / 0.015%
What is acne cream with tretinoin?
(prescription vitamin A derivative for acne)
Tretinoin accelerates skin cell turnover, unclogs pores, and reduces sebum production. For acne, it is significantly faster than OTC salicylic acid, most people see improvement within 4-6 weeks. It is prescription-only and requires careful sun protection and tolerance for retinization irritation.
What's in it
- Clindamycin2%Antibiotic for acne bacteria
- Erythromycin4%Antibiotic for acne bacteria
- Ketoconazole2%Calms scalp inflammation
- Tretinoin0.015%Speeds skin renewal
Faster
acne improvement than OTC treatments within 4-6 weeks
Initial irritation (retinization) is common. SPF 30+ daily is essential; sun exposure worsens acne and causes post-inflammatory marks.
Is it right for you?
Who it's for
People with inflamed acne and clogged pores.
What sets it apart
The same antibiotic cream plus a low dose of tretinoin to unclog pores.
Worth knowing before you start
At night only, and sunscreen in the morning. Not during pregnancy.
What to expect
Initial breakout possible
normal with tretinoin; usually resolves by week 4
Patience required
acne improvement takes 4-8 weeks minimum
Steady improvement
new spots form less often; existing marks fade
Sun protection essential
tretinoin and doxycycline increase photosensitivity
How acne treatments work
Week 1
Start with acne cream or low-dose tretinoin. Mild irritation and initial breakout may occur (normal; hang on).
1Week 2–4
If using doxycycline, bacteria count decreases. Topical treatment continues; acne begins to flatten.
2Week 4–8
New comedones form less frequently. Redness fades. Results become visible.
3Month 2–3+
Acne significantly improved. Reduce oral antibiotic if prescribed. Continue topical treatment indefinitely at lower frequency for maintenance.
4
Individual results vary. Benefits reflect what Zepym Health members commonly report to their physician at check-ins; they are not the results of a clinical trial.
How you use it
This is the starting dose the pharmacy prints on the label. Your physician sets yours and adjusts it with you.
- How
- Applied to the skin
- Where
- affected area
- Dose
- 1 mL
- How often
- Once a day
- When
- At bedtime
- Each shipment
- 1 tube
- Pharmacy label
- Apply 1 mL to the affected area once daily at bedtime for 30 days.
A sample week
- M
- T
- W
- T
- F
- S
- S
Once a day
The science of acne treatments
Tretinoin reduces sebum, unclogs pores, and promotes skin cell turnover. In randomized trials, it cleared acne faster than benzoyl peroxide alone.
Your physician prescribes based on acne severity and your ability to tolerate irritation and sun protection commitment.
Learn moreImportant safety information and common side effects
Topical acne treatments are generally well tolerated; salicylic acid and tretinoin can cause dryness, peeling, and irritation, especially at first. Tretinoin is absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy. Doxycycline is an antibiotic; inform your physician of other medications or allergies, and avoid dairy and calcium supplements (they reduce absorption). Doxycycline increases sun sensitivity, so daily SPF 30+ is essential. Tell your physician about any isotretinoin use history (Accutane). Stop and seek care for severe irritation, signs of allergic reaction, or persistent worsening of acne.
Every plan includes
- Personalized, physician-guided plan
- Monthly plan
- Dispensed by a US-licensed compounding pharmacy
- Unlimited protocol adjustments and messaging
- Ongoing support and check-ins
- Pause or cancel anytime
- Reviewed by our in-house physicians
How it works
1.Connect with a physician
Answer a few questions online and a US-licensed physician reviews your health, history and goals to make sure treatment is right for you. 100% online. No in-person visit required.
2.Get your discreet shipment
If approved, your treatment is compounded by a US-licensed, LegitScript-certified pharmacy, inspected for quality, and shipped discreetly to your door.
3.Receive continuous support
Start with one goal, then keep building over time. Unlimited physician messaging, easy refills and dose adjustments, all from the Zepym Health app.
Acne cream with tretinoin educational content reviewed by our physician
Scott Nass, MDDoctor of Medicine, board-certified in Family Medicine
Charles R. Drew University and David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Family Medicine residency at Ventura County Medical Center.
Frequently asked questions
How do I use Acne Cream with Tretinoin?
Applied to the skin, once a day, at bedtime. The starting prescription is 1 mL each time. Your physician sets your own dose and it is printed on your label.
What exactly is in it?
Clindamycin 2%, Erythromycin 4%, Ketoconazole 2%, Tretinoin 0.015%.
How much arrives in each shipment?
1 tube at the starting strength, shipped to your door from a licensed US pharmacy.
Should I use acne cream or tretinoin for acne?
Start with acne cream for mild acne. If after 4 weeks there is minimal improvement, your physician may recommend tretinoin for faster results. Tretinoin is for moderate to severe acne or when gentler treatments plateau.
Can I use all four treatments together?
No. Typical layering: salicylic acid or tretinoin topically, plus doxycycline orally if moderate/severe, plus Clarity for healing. You don't need all four. Your physician chooses a layered plan based on acne severity.
When do I know if a treatment is working?
Give topical treatments 4 weeks and oral antibiotics 8 weeks before deciding if they work. Acne cycles naturally; don't switch treatments too quickly. If no improvement after 8 weeks, your physician will adjust.
What if I develop antibiotic resistance?
Doxycycline courses are typically 3-6 months, then stopped to minimize resistance risk. Continuing topical treatment (tretinoin or salicylic acid) maintains results and prevents relapse.
Can I use acne treatments if I'm using other topicals?
Space them: tretinoin at night, vitamin C or niacinamide in morning. Avoid mixing tretinoin with benzoyl peroxide or retinol. Your physician advises on layering safely.
Clear skin through layered therapy.
Brightening Cream
Stronger prescription cream for stubborn melasma and dark spots: hydroquinone 6% with tretinoin, hydrocortisone, kojic acid and vitamins C and E. A short course, usually up to 8 weeks.
Cream
from $149/mo
Clarity Cream
Acne and post-acne formula combining azelaic acid, niacinamide, clindamycin, and tretinoin. Anti-inflammatory and cell-renewing.
Cream
from $149/mo
ClearTone Cream
Brightening and anti-inflammatory cream combining azelaic acid, hydroquinone, kojic acid, tranexamic acid, and niacinamide. For post-acne hyperpigmentation.
Cream
from $149/mo
The above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Prescription products require an online evaluation with a licensed medical professional who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. Individual results vary.
Sources
- 1
Tretinoin in acne: efficacy, retinization, and long-term maintenance.
J Clin Aesthet Dermatol, 2017 - 2
Doxycycline in moderate acne: antibiotic and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
Antibiotics, 2019
Acne Cream with Tretinoinfrom $139/mo