Yet another option is isotretinoin, or Accutane, a stronger form of retinoid, which is a highly effective oral acne medication, but comes with serious side effects. Birth defects, depression and possible inflammatory bowel symptoms have been reported, which led to the federal government regulating the drug’s use. 

               [SLIDESHOW: 5 Myths About Acne]

Are there any new possibilities?

Scientists from UCLA are working on harnessing a harmless virus that lives on our skin, particularly people without acne, and naturally seeks and destroys the bacteria responsible for acne. Samples were taken from the noses of study participants who had either pimply or clear skin. Researchers analyzed both the bacterium and the family of viruses living on our skin that kills it.

The virus genomes were patterned and analyzed and it appears that their attributes make them ideal for possible new acne treatments. Further research will determine if an isolated protein from the virus is as successful as the whole virus at killing the acne bacteria.

Sources:

n.p. (2009, March 5). "What is Acne? What Causes Acne? How to Get Rid of Acne." Medical News Today. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/107146.php

Neighmond, Patti. (2012, October 15). “Doctors Strike Mutating Bacteria in Teen Acne Battle.” NPR.org. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/10/15/162821580/doctors-strike-mutating-bacteria-in-teen-acne-battle

n.p. (2011, November 21). "Acne - Oral Antibiotics Raise Sore Throat Risk." Medical News Today. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/238020.php

n.p. “Antibiotic Resistance.” Acne.org. Retrieved from http://www.acne.org/antibiotic-resistance.html

n.p. (2012, September 25). "Virus May Be Able To Treat Acne." Medical News Today. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/250686.php