Clindamycin (topical)

Also known as: Cleocin-T, lincosamide antibiotic

Dermatology

In plain English

Topical clindamycin is an antibiotic applied to the skin for acne. It reduces acne-related bacteria and inflammation. To keep it working and to avoid antibiotic resistance, it is usually paired with benzoyl peroxide or a retinoid rather than used alone long-term.

The science

Clindamycin is a lincosamide that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis at the 50S ribosomal subunit, reducing Cutibacterium acnes and exerting anti-inflammatory effects; topical formulations reduce inflammatory acne lesions by roughly 45-70% in trials. Because monotherapy promotes resistance, fixed combinations with benzoyl peroxide or adapalene are standard of care.

References

• Del Rosso JQ et al., topical clindamycin in acne (review), J Drugs Dermatol 2024
• Anwar AI et al., efficacy of topical treatments in mild-moderate acne (systematic review), Cureus 2024