Zindaclin 1% Gel

Zindaclin is a prescription gel used to treat mild to moderate acne. It contains the antibiotic clindamycin 1%, which reduces the bacteria linked to acne, helping red and pus-filled spots settle. It’s always used with a benzoyl peroxide or retinoid treatment, because an antibiotic used on the skin on its own can let bacteria become resistant.

Apply a thin layer once a day to the whole affected area, after washing as normal, rinsing well and patting your skin dry. Avoid your eyes, mouth and the inside of your nose. Use your benzoyl peroxide or retinoid treatment as your prescriber advises.

NICE advises that antibiotics applied to the skin shouldn’t be used on their own, because acne bacteria can become resistant to them. So benzoyl peroxide (such as Acnecide) or a retinoid (such as Differin) is always used alongside it. These also unblock pores, which Zindaclin doesn’t do. If you’d prefer one product, Duac combines clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide in a single gel.

The product information says it can take 4 to 6 weeks to see a response, so keep using it every day. Your prescriber will review you at 12 weeks: if your skin is clear, you’ll usually carry on with a treatment without an antibiotic to keep it clear. If it hasn’t helped, we’ll suggest another option.

About 1 in 10 people get some skin irritation. Common side effects include dryness, redness, burning, itching, irritation around the eyes, and worsening of acne. Less commonly, the skin can become painful or scaly. If you get diarrhoea while using Zindaclin, stop using it and get medical advice.

There’s limited information about using Zindaclin during pregnancy, and it isn’t known whether clindamycin passes into breast milk after use on the skin. We don’t supply acne treatment online if you’re pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding: please speak to your GP, who can advise on the safest options.

No. Zindaclin only comes as a 1% gel. If you’re looking for a clindamycin lotion, which can be easier to spread over the back and chest, Dalacin T contains the same antibiotic.

No. Zindaclin is a prescription-only medicine, so pharmacies such as Boots can only supply it with a prescription. You can get a prescription from Access Doctor after an online consultation with one of our pharmacist prescribers.

Yes, Zindaclin is prescription-only, so you can’t buy it over the counter. You can get it from Access Doctor after a short online consultation: you answer questions about your skin, health and previous treatments, a pharmacist prescriber checks it’s suitable for you, and if it’s approved we dispatch it from our UK pharmacy, together with your benzoyl peroxide or retinoid treatment. We supply up to 12 weeks at a time.