Mild Acne - Moderate Acne

Topical preparations which may be in the form of creams, lotions and gels,are applied directly to the skin. They are designed to remove the comedones,i.e. the block in the gland, so that normal sebum flow can occur. They alsoreduce the bacterial content of skin and within the sebaceous gland.  
The topical preparations most commonly used are available over the counterwithout a prescription. If the acne becomes more extensive or more active, a topical preparation available by prescription from a doctor may be required. Topical preparations need to be used on all the areas where acne tends tooccur, not just on the inflamed spots present today. In this way, they will prevent future spots appearing.
  

Moderate Acne 
For more moderate acne, oral antibiotics may be required in addition to topical preparations. Oral antibiotics must be prescribed by a doctor. Once the acne is under control, oral antibiotics will no longer be necessary. However, the use of a topical preparation should be continued for some time. Oral anti-androgen drugs which are also used as oral contraception may be used by females to treat moderate acne. They are available only on prescription by a doctor.