Melanie King
  • Checked for accuracy by: Melanie King
  • Role: Senior Pharmacist
  • Date checked: 17/09/2020
Pharmacy Line

Pharmacy Medicine

This is a Pharmacy Medicine, therefore you'll need to answer a few short questions so our pharmacy team can ensure this product is right for you.

Please note images are for illustration purposes and may differ from the product(s) you receive

Acnecide

Product details

What is Acnecide 5% w/w Gel?

Acnecide is a gel that helps to treat acne by attacking the bacteria that causes the condition, helping to keep skin clear. It works to reduce the effects of acne and allow the skin to return to its natural, smooth state, so you can feel confident in your skin. Acnecide contains the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide which attacks the bacteria (germs) known as Propionibacterium acnes, one of the main causes of acne.

What is Acne?

Acne appears as blackheads and whiteheads which people often refer to as pimples or spots. Acne of the face, chest or back may be treated with Acnecide 5% w/w Gel.

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Key features of Acnecide 5% w/w Gel:

  • Acnecide 5% Gel helps to reduce the effects of acne
  • Active ingredient benzoyl peroxide
  • Allows the skin to return to its natural, smooth state
  • Attacks the bacteria (germs) known as Propionibacterium acnes

Warnings / Side effects Expand

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Acnecide. Avoid contact with the eyes, mouth, angles of the nose and other mucous surfaces such as the lining of your nose. If accidental contact should occur, rinse thoroughly with warm water. Acnecide should not be applied to damaged skin. Acnecide may cause swelling and blistering of the skin, if any of these symptoms occur, use of the product should be discontinued. This product may bleach hair and coloured fabrics including clothing, towels and bed linen. Be careful to avoid contact of the gel with these materials. Please make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly after you have used it. Caution should be exercised when applying Acnecide to the neck and other sensitive areas. Avoid repeated exposure to sunlight or other sources of UV light (e.g. sun bed).

Other medicines and Acnecide

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. You should not use medicines with peeling, irritant and drying effects at the same time as Acnecide. Do not use Acnecide with any other acne products that are used on the skin, unless your doctor or pharmacist has told you that you can, as this may cause your skin to become red and very sore.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant or are breast-feeding, do not use this product unless your doctor has told you that you can. Avoid using this product if you are breast-feeding unless your doctor has told you otherwise. If your doctor has recommended the use of this product while you are breast-feeding, you must not apply the gel onto your chest, this is to avoid exposure of your child to this product.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.


Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If your skin becomes severely irritated, or severe redness, itching or peeling of the skin occurs, or you experience face swelling, discontinue use immediately and consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Tell your doctor immediately if you develop a severe allergic reaction:

Signs of severe allergic reactions may include: Raised and itchy rash (hives), Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue or mouth (angioedema), having difficulty in breathing, Fainting

Acnecide may cause the following side effects: Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people - Dry skin - Skin redness - Peeling of the skin - Burning sensation of the skin

Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people - Itching of the skin (pruritus) - Pain of the skin (pain, stinging) - Skin irritation (irritant contact dermatitis)

Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people - Allergic contact dermatitis

These symptoms are usually reversible if the treatment is reduced in frequency or discontinued.

Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed on this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Usage / Instructions Expand

Acnecide is for EXTERNAL USE ONLY.

Unless your doctor or pharmacist has told you otherwise, - Wash the affected area with a mild skin cleanser and water, and gently pat your skin dry. - Apply the gel in a thin layer once or twice a day to all the affected areas. - If you have sensitive skin apply the gel once daily before going to bed. - Any drying or peeling which may occur to your skin may be reduced if you alter the number of times you apply, i.e. to once a day or once every two days, until your skin adjusts to the product.

You should try to avoid exposure to strong sunlight while using Acnecide. If exposure is unavoidable, use a suitable sunscreen lotion and apply Acnecide in the evening. Remember to wash the affected area before use.

How long you will have to use Acnecide will depend on how quickly your condition improves. After you have used it for one month, you should see your doctor or pharmacist again. He or she can then check the improvement of your condition. If you use more Acnecide than you should or accidentally swallow the gel

If you should accidentally use too much gel, you may find that your skin becomes irritated. Wash off as much as you can, and when the irritation has gone down, start using it again as directed.

In the rare event that you accidentally swallow any of this product, seek medical advice.

If you forget to use Acnecide

Don’t worry if you forget to use your gel at the right time. When you remember, start using the product again, in the same way as before.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Ingredients Expand

What Acnecide 5% w/w Gel contains

The active substance is hydrous benzoyl peroxide equivalent to benzoyl peroxide 5% w/w in an aqueous, non-alcoholic gel base. The other ingredients are docusate sodium, disodium edetate, poloxamer 182, carbomer 940, propylene glycol, acrylates copolymer, glycerol, colloidal anhydrous silica, purified water and sodium hydroxide to adjust the pH.

Delivery & Returns Expand

Royal Mail Tracked 48hr Delivery

  • £3.49 for Tracked 48hr service, delivered within 2-3 working days from despatch of order.
  • Free delivery for orders over £35
  • Delivered Mon-Sat (excluding Sunday and Bank Holidays).
  • Order by 8pm Monday to Friday for same day despatch.
  • All orders can be tracked from despatched to delivery, tracking code will be emailed to you.
  • Certain items cannot be delivered through this service and therefore this service not be visible in the checkout. Additional terms and conditions apply, please see the delivery page.

EVRI UK Tracked 48hr Service

  • £3.49 for Standard service, delivered within 2 working days from despatch of order.
  • Free standard delivery for orders over £35
  • Delivered Mon-Fri (excluding weekend and bank holidays).
  • Order by 8pm Sunday to Friday for same day despatch. Terms and conditions apply, see below.
  • Additional terms and conditions apply, please see below.

94% of orders are despatched within 2 days (data taken from July 2022 to October 2022)

Royal Mail Tracked 24hr Delivery

  • £5.09 for the Tracked 24hr service.
  • Mon-Thur orders placed before 8pm will be delivered 1-2 days from despatch (90% of orders delivered next day).
  • Friday orders placed before 8pm will be delivered from Saturday.
  • Weekend orders will be delivered from Tuesday.
  • Delivered Mon-Sat (excluding Sunday and Bank Holidays).
  • Order by 8pm Monday to Friday for same day despatch. Terms and conditions apply, see below
  • Pharmacy approved items will be despatched once approved and delivered the next working day.
  • All orders can be tracked from despatched to delivery, tracking code will be emailed to you.
  • Certain items cannot be delivered through this service and therefore this service not be visible in the checkout. Additional terms and conditions apply, please see below.

EVRI UK Tracked 24hr service

  • £5.09 for UK Next Working Day Delivery.
  • Sun-Fri orders placed before 8pm will be delivered the next day.
  • Friday orders placed after 8pm will be delivered on Monday.
  • Weekend orders will be delivered on Monday.
  • Delivered Mon-Fri (excluding bank holidays).
  • Order by 8pm Sunday to Friday for same day despatch. Terms and conditions apply, see below.
  • Pharmacy approved items will be despatched once approved and delivered the next day.
  • All orders can be tracked from despatched to delivery, tracking code will be emailed to you.
  • Additional terms and conditions apply, please see below.

EVRI Click & Collect tracked 48hr service

  • £3.00 for Standard service, delivered within 2 working days from despatch of order.
  • Free standard delivery for orders over £35
  • Delivered Mon-Fri (excluding weekend and bank holidays).
  • Order by 8pm Sunday to Friday for same day despatch. Terms and conditions apply, see below.
  • Additional terms and conditions apply, please see below.

EVRI UK Click & Collect tracked 24hr service

  • £3.49 for UK Next Working Day Delivery.
  • Sun-Fri orders placed before 8pm will be delivered the next day.
  • Friday orders placed after 8pm will be delivered on Monday.
  • Weekend orders will be delivered on Monday.
  • Delivered Mon-Fri (excluding bank holidays).
  • Order by 8pm Sunday to Friday for same day despatch. Terms and conditions apply, see below.
  • Pharmacy approved items will be despatched once approved and delivered the next day.
  • All orders can be tracked from despatched to delivery, tracking code will be emailed to you.
  • Additional terms and conditions apply, please see below.

UK Express Delivery

  • Free Express Delivery when you spend £100
  • Mon-Wed orders placed before 8pm will be delivered in 2 working days
  • Thursday orders placed before 8pm will be delivered on Monday
  • Friday orders placed before 8pm will be delivered on Tuesday
  • Weekend orders will be delivered on Tuesday
  • Delivered Mon-Fri (excluding bank holidays)
  • Order by 8pm Monday to Friday for same day despatch. Terms and conditions apply, see below.
  • Once approved P-line items will be delivered the next working day
  • Additional terms and conditions apply, please see below
  • Select Next working day delivery in the checkout for Express Delivery

Additional terms and conditions apply, to view our full delivery terms and conditions click here

Returns

If you're not completely satisfied with your order, you can return it to us within 28 days

Find out more about our returns policy click here

Ratings & reviews

4.7
(25)
Review Stars
21
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Customer reviews

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3.00

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5.00

As expected fit for purpose

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5.00

Just needs to be used religiously twice a day. I prefer the gel to the wash.

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5.00

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5.00

I bought it for my granddaughter. It has helped her a lot. The best thing she has tried. And your price is £2 cheaper than Boots.

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£11.99

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