Saturday, March 8, 2014

SKINCARE TIPS:TOPICAL ACNE PRODUCTS AVAILABLE IN MALAYSIA

TOPICAL ACNE PRODUCTS AVAILABLE IN MALAYSIA






While there are many acne products out there, most of these products are separated into few types of ingredients. These products are know to get rid of acne but becareful in choosing since most people are known to be allergic to some of them.


One of the symptom that shows that you are not suitable to using the acne product is you have more acne and pimples after using it (exception for tretinoin&adapalene).

Here, I have compile some of the products and also the examples of products that I had tried before. Most of the products here are available in Malaysia at the drugstore or pharmacies.



Benzoyl peroxide- Benzoyl peroxide works as a peeling agent. I helps in clearing pores and reducing the bacterial count P.Acnes by killing them. It can’t be use at the same time with retinoid.
It is usually as spot treatment and available in concentrations of 2.5% , 5%, and 10%. It can cause initial dryness and sometimes irritation. Do not abuse it by applying more than you are suppose too as it can cause burning, itching, peeling and swelling. It bleaches the clothes so don’t apply more than a small pea size and don’t apply a glob on the effected acne or you will sure bleach a lot of harm on your skin!
It usually only work for light acne. It doesn’t work for me at all.

In Malaysia, there is OXY 2% & 5% as well as Benzac by Galderma.




Niacinamide- is from vitamin B3 / niacin. Nicotinamide helps with reducing the inflame skin conditions include acne vulgaris. Unlike topical Erythromycin or Clindamycin it does not develop any bacterial resistance in treating inflammatory acne. Nicotinamide acne treatment is also available as Nicotinamide pads and cream. Nicotinamide is also reported to be an effective skin whitener in topical application It available in tablet and in topical form.

In Malaysia, I think the one that we can find would be Papulex. It is available in Caring Pharmancy.
La Roche Posay Effaclar but this is not available in Malaysia.






Tretinoin- is the first generation derivative retinoid. It can cause redness, scaling, itching and burning when first use. A person on this have to use sunblock since it can cause sensitivity and burn. A person on this should not go for waxing or eat vitamin supplement that contains vitamin A.

It should be use if one is pregnant as it can cause birth defect. It is best consult with dermatologist or doctor before using tretinoin as not everyone can tolerate it. One should only use it at night.

In Malaysia, there is the Retinol, Retin A and also Stieva. One can get it from skin clinic or pharmacies.





Adapalene- the third generation derivative from vitamin A. It exfloliate the skin and also reduce inflammation. Most people tolerate adapalene better than tretinoin. It also works well with clindamycin at the same time. Apply adapalene and after 3min, apply clindamycin. Should apply all over on the dry face with pea size. Don’t use a glob! The face will look bad for the first 2 weeks but heal fast after that.

In Malaysia, it is available in Differin 0.1% gel and also adaferin from pharmacies.



Clindamycin- this is antibiotic and well after applying it for a pro long of time, the skin will be immune with it.
In Malaysia the one available is the Hoe Mycin from pharmacies. There are lotion or gel.  I prefer gel since my skin is oily



Sulfur- the smell of sulfur is okay to me but I don’t know how others will feel. It hurts a lot and there will be the white cast on the face. So it is best applied at night. Don’t apply a lot or else you will end up with huge red patches of burned skin. It works better than benzoyl peroxide for me.

In Malaysia, it is available in Jr sulfur soap and Nixoderm   Amazon link    . You can get it from Guardian or Watson.





Salicylic acid- It also know as BHA and can be found in many acne products. Salicylic acid is known for its ability to ease aches and pains and reduce fevers. It is also reduces the inflame acnes . it causes the cells of the epidermis to shed more readily, opening clogged pores and neutralizing bacteria within, preventing pores from clogging up again by constricting pore diameter, and allowing room for new cell growth.

In Malaysia, it is available in many skincare products. The most famous one and produces faster results would be aspirin (similar but different from salicylic acid). Look for the one not added with other things. For examples, Dispirin or Bayer Aspirin.  There is also the Paula's Choice  BHA skincare products for acne prone skin which is famous in the US.


Tea tree- This is a natural option. tea tree is naturally anti bacterial.  There are quite few brands that offer tea tree products =) even in drugstore. I do like the Thursday Plantation, Garden of Eden and Aiken.

Neem- This is a wonderful natural ingredients for acne prone skin but I haven't been able to buy is the neem oil. I heard it smell terrible. The only products in drugstore that I know contains neems are the Himalaya Purifying gel cleanser and also the Neem herbs .


Overall, one needs to follow certain instruction to use the topical gel or cream. Some is just for spot treatment and some are to be applied all over the face.  Don’t be greedy since a little is needed to achieve the results. There are some people who are allergic to antibiotic, benzoyl peroxide or can’t tolerate tretinoin.  So, choose the one suitable for you and do a lot of research before trying them out.


You can get some of the products on Shopee Malaysia too.
I usually get my Paula Choice from Worthee Cosmetics 

Other links on acne:
Food Harmful for acne prone skin
How to get rid of pimples/acne
How to  heal pimples after picking on them



The opinions expressed here are my own and honest as always.

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