---
title: Why do I need a prescription for my acne rather than over the counter products?
description: Discover the clinical difference between standard high street skincare products and medical grade prescription acne treatments available through PrivateDoc.
---

[Skip to content](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/why-do-i-need-a-prescription-for-my-acne-rather-than-over-the-counter-products#main-content)

English - United Kingdom

Show submenu for translations

[More support](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en-gb)

![PrivateDoc](https://help.privatedoc.com/hubfs/PRIVATE_DOC_RGB_MASTER.svg)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

- English - United Kingdom
  
  Show submenu for translations
- [More support](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/kb-tickets/new)
- [Contact us](https://www.privatedoc.com/contact-us)

[Contact us](https://www.privatedoc.com/contact-us)

 We are here to support your health journey.

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

1. [PrivateDoc Knowledge Base](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb?hsLang=en-gb)
2. [Skincare](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/skincare?hsLang=en-gb)

# Why do I need a prescription for my acne rather than over the counter products?

Standard over the counter products are usually designed for mild and occasional breakouts. They often focus on surface level cleansing and contain lower concentrations of active ingredients. If you suffer from persistent or severe acne, these products are rarely strong enough to target the root causes, such as deeply trapped bacteria or severe inflammation. Prescription treatments contain potent medical grade ingredients that penetrate the skin more deeply to reduce swelling, clear blocked pores, and prevent long term scarring.

- [About Us](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/about-us?hsLang=en-gb#main-content)

    - [Account Information](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/about-us?hsLang=en-gb#account-information)
- [Weight Loss](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/weight-loss?hsLang=en-gb#main-content)

    - [Weight Verification](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/weight-loss?hsLang=en-gb#weight-verification)
    - [Wegovy](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/weight-loss?hsLang=en-gb#wegovy)
    - [Mounjaro](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/weight-loss?hsLang=en-gb#mounjaro)
    - [Nevolat](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/weight-loss?hsLang=en-gb#nevolat)
    - [Wegovy Pill](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/weight-loss?hsLang=en-gb#wegovy-pill)
    - [Foundayo](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/weight-loss?hsLang=en-gb#foundayo)
- [Delivery](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/delivery?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Refunds and returns](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/refunds-and-returns?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Contact Us](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/contact-us?hsLang=en-gb#main-content)

    - [Contact Us](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/contact-us?hsLang=en-gb#contact-us)
- [Women's Health](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/womens-health?hsLang=en-gb#main-content)

    - [HRT](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/womens-health?hsLang=en-gb#hrt)
    - [Contraception](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/womens-health?hsLang=en-gb#contraception)
- [Men's Health](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/mens-health?hsLang=en-gb#main-content)

    - [ED Medication](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/mens-health?hsLang=en-gb#ed-medication)
    - [Hairloss](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/mens-health?hsLang=en-gb#hairloss)
    - [Premature Ejaculation](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/mens-health?hsLang=en-gb#premature-ejaculation)
- [Skincare](https://help.privatedoc.com/privatedoc-kb/skincare?hsLang=en-gb)

[![PrivateDoc](https://help.privatedoc.com/hubfs/PRIVATE_DOC_RGB_MASTER.svg "PrivateDoc")](https://www.privatedoc.com/)

<https://www.facebook.com/> <https://www.twitter.com/> <https://www.instagram.com/> <https://podcasts.apple.com/> [mailto:email@email.com](mailto:email@email.com)

Copyright © 2026, PrivateDoc Limited