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Clindamycin is often regarded as a topical antibiotic that is used to treat acne. These are the first related products used to treat acne, but other topics are related to this well-known antibiotic. This will kill any sort of bacteria on the way and stop the bacteria’s growth.
These are suitable for treating propionibacterium acne, the main cause of pimples. These sorts of bacteria, or the P. bacteria, will live on the surface of the skin and will cause inflammation and clog the pores. But several questions remain unanswered, like how to take Clindamycin and whether can I use moisturizer after Clindamycin?
You can use a light moisturizer after putting the Clindamycin on. These are applied directly right after washing your face. And then, without applying anything in between, just go with the Clindamycin. And applying a light moisturizer over the ointment will help with hydration. There is a probability that the doctor himself will prescribe both the cleanser and the moisturizer for you. If they don’t, try and use a very gentle and basic moisturizer for starters. A light moisturizer will help with inflammation and irritation on the skin.
What is Clindamycin?
Clindamycin, or clindamycin phosphate, is used mainly as an antibiotic that will help clear out any sort of bacterial infection. Though the phosphate for Clindamycin is an oral tablet, they also help with inflammatory break well. So, Clindamycin is used on the face directly to reduce inflation. P. Acnes are often the main themes to treat with Clindamycin. So any sort of pimple with redness, inflammation, or itching will be treated with Clindamycin.
Using Clindamycin as an acne treatment is FDA-approved, and this will visibly decrease the swelling on the parts of the face. Most of the swellings are caused by breakouts, and the Clindamycin will help clear them out. They are effective for mild to severe acne.
Clindamycin is available in two forms: solution and tablets. The tablets treat bacterial infections of the reproductive system and lungs. And the solution is applied to the skin. Typically, a 1% gel solution of Clindamycin is used directly on top of the skin.
How does Clindamycin work?
Now that we know that Clindamycin is a topical antibacterial ingredient let us highlight how the product works. Clindamycin is used to treat several problems, including:
- Bacterial infections
- Infections of the lungs
- Skin infection
- Blood infections
- Female reproductive organ infections by bacteria
- Bacterial infections on internal organs
These are also known as lincomycin antibiotics because they will slow down bacteria’s growth and stop it. They will not work for the flu, cold, or any other type of bacterial infection. When these are used to treat acne, they are used in different forms. For example, they are available in foam, gel, solution, lotion, and swabs. The foam and gels are to be applied once a day. And for solutions, swabs and lotion must be applied at least twice a day. Another thing to remember about Clindamycin is that it must be applied simultaneously every day.
The topical Clindamycin is only to be used on top of the skin and is not to be swallowed.
Does Clindamycin really work with acne?
The topical Clindamycin is approved by the FDA and is only available by prescription. So the product is clinically proven to work. Clindamycin will work to get rid of the irritation and swelling from the acne and will also help to clear out the bumps in the skin. But does Clindamycin really work?
Well, it does, and here are some facts on Clindamycin for treating acne.
- 1% of Clindamycin will reduce the inflammation and the bums within three months.
- Clindamycin 1% works for both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne
- This will help to reduce mild to moderate acne on its own.
- They are more effective when applied with benzoyl peroxide.
- Clindamycin also works just fine with tretinoin.
- For severe acne, different specialists will suggest benzyl peroxide with Clindamycin
- For dry skin, the lotion of Clindamycin is preferable
- For oily skin, the gels of Clindamycin will work best.
- Clindamycin shouldn’t be used with erythromycin or any other antibacterial products.
- Clindamycin does not treat hormonal acne, and nor does it work for every acne infection.
What are the benefits of using Clindamycin?
The product is topical and comes with low side effects. Clindamycin, with other options like tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide, is for treating severe acne, and they are used together. Direct application rather than oral tablets uses most acne treatments. Here are some benefits of Clindamycin:
Reduces the amount of acne-causing bacteria
The biggest benefit of Clindamycin is that it is used to treat acne caused by bacteria, and as an antibiotic, it will stop the growth of bacteria on the skin. They also improve inflammation and the itchiness of the pimples.
Pregnancy Safe
When you are pregnant and using retinol and salicylic acid, it is not safe. So instead, Clindamycin works just fine to treat acne during pregnancy.
Few side effects
Most antibacterial or acne-reducing products come with side effects. For example, they might make the skin more sensitive or just make the skin more dehydrated. But this is not true in the case of Clindamycin. These topical antibacterial have the minimum number of problems.
Reduce inflammation
Many products tend to decrease acne, but they do not help with inflammation and pore-clogging. But the Clindamycin will help in both cases, so you don’t have to look for a way to exfoliate.
Dosage of Clindamycin
The dosage for Clindamycin will be different for patients using them. The dermatologist will mostly prescribe how to take medicine or follow the instructions on the labels. Well, the typical dosage is the same unless the specialist asks to add to it to do something else. The dosage of Clindamycin will vary depending on what type of product you’ll be using.
Foam dosage: this is for using the topical Clindamycin in a foam form. The foam is to be applied twice a day to the affected area.
To treat acne, gel, solution, or suspension dosage is also used twice a day on the affected area.
The doctor determines the amount of dosage you’ll take and the time between the dosages.
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How to use Clindamycin?
Now that we have included all the ways that you can use Clindamycin let us also include a detail on how you can use this product. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use Clindamycin on a regular skin care schedule:
Step 1: Wash your face
Washing the face with soap and warm water is the first step in using Clindamycin. Most of the time, the dosage of Clindamycin starts in the morning, after you wake up, and before going to bed. First, wash your face with a gentle foaming cleanser and ensure no dirt or makeup is left. Pat the whole face dry.
Step 2: apply Clindamycin
Clindamycin is available as a lotion, foam, gel, suspension, or solution. In every case, we recommend waiting at least 30 minutes before applying the Clindamycin once you have shaved and cleaned the face. And make sure that the cleanser does not contain any sort of harsh chemicals like alcohol in it. Use enough product to cover up all the exposed areas and wait for the product to absorb completely before going to the next step.
For foam clindamycin:
- Instead of pouring the foam onto the hands, apply it directly from the bottle to the affected area.
- Massage the foam gently until it disappears.
- These can contain alcohol, so they might sting a little bit on the face. So, keep it away from sensitive areas of the body.
For solution clindamycin:
- Use the applicator tip directly on the skin. For the solution, make sure to press it firmly on the skin. More likely how you’ll apply the roll onto the skin. Apply for the medicine all over the affected area.
- The medicine does contain alcohol, so it will sting. Keep it away from the eyes and other sensitive areas.
- Before proceeding to the next step, wait for the solution to be dissolved completely on the skin.
Step 3: Use a Moisturizer
Using a very light and gentle moisturizer is acceptable when using Clindamycin. This way, you have more hydrated skin.
Step 4: Sun Protection
Once you have given enough time for the Clindamycin to be absorbed, then go for sunscreen. We recommend SPF 30 to SPF 50 during the day. Topicals for acne are sensitive and vulnerable to sun exposure and the overall environment.
Is it okay to use a moisturizer on top of Clindamycin?
It is completely fine to use a moisturizer on top of the Clindamycin, and this will help prevent the dryness and itchiness of the skin. Ask your doctor to recommend a moisturizer and sunscreen for the best results. But any gentle moisturizer should work on top of the Clindamycin. Here we are including some of the moisturizers that can be used with Clindamycin, typically for any acne treatment:
- Thermal Tolerance Control Soothing Cream By Avene
- Cerave Moisturizing Cream
- Cicaplast Baume B5 Multipurpose Balm By La Roche Posay
- SPF 30 Oil-free Moisturizer From Juice Beauty
- Naturium Plant Ceramide-rich Moisture Cream
However, consult your doctor for safety reasons to see if these are appropriate.
What are the side effects of Clindamycin?
Clindamycin will not cure acne completely, but it will stop any sort of bacterial growth in the skin. The medicine is FDA approved and is safe for all ages of people, even infants, and pregnant women. But there are some typical side effects of Clindamycin, and here they are:
- Dry skin
- Peeling of skin
- Oiliness
- Itching skin
- Redness
- slight stinging
All of these might be the reason that they contain a bit of alcohol, and depending on your skin type, the side effects will also vary. However, most doctors tend to personalize the treatments according to the patient’s needs. And if you have a severe condition, ask for a treatment that does not rely on these side effects. But these are all very mild, and Clindamycin will help in long-term acne treatment.
FAQs
1. What are the best moisturizers to use with Clindamycin?
We recommend the CeraVe moisturizing cream to be used after rye clindamycin. They are the most affordable and made with very hydrating and basic ingredients.
2. Can I apply Clindamycin after sunscreen?
The sunscreen should be applied as the final step in your morning skincare routine. So before you use sunscreen, we recommend using Clindamycin. This way, your skin will have better protection. So do not use Clindamycin after the sunscreen, and use it beforehand.
3. How long should I wait to apply moisturizer after applying Clindamycin?
You should wait at least 30 minutes to an hour before applying the moisturizer after the Clindamycin. This way, the skin will have enough time to cope.
4. Can I use moisturizer after clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide?
Yes, you can apply moisturizer after Clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide. But wait at least 30 minutes to 60 minutes before applying the moisturizer.
5. How should Clindamycin be used for acne?
You can apply Clindamycin in a solution, gel, or foam form. Apply the product directly to the affected area and massage gently till all of it is absorbed.
Final thoughts
Can I use moisturizer after Clindamycin? You can. When regular salicylic or glycolic acid cannot treat or eliminate the pimples, Clindamycin is used. And this is why Clindamycin is known as the “big gun” in the skin care industry. Though Clindamycin is a prescription-only treatment, Though there are other medications for aches and pains, such as retinoids and benzoyl peroxides, Clindamycin is used to treat inflammatory breakouts.
Key Points
- Clindamycin is applied immediately after cleansing your face. After that, merely take the Clindamycin without applying anything else.
- Clindamycin, also known as clindamycin phosphate, is primarily used as an antibiotic to treat bacterial infections.
- Clindamycin comes in a variety of forms, including foam, gel, solution, lotion, and swabs. The foam and gels should be used once a day. Swabs and lotion must be administered at least twice a day for solutions.
- It is quite okay to apply a moisturizer on top of the Clindamycin since this will assist avoid skin dryness and itching.
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