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Notes from the clinic

Writing from our clinicians and team on modern primary care, the craft of medicine, and what we’re building at FutureClinic.

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When OTC Acne Products Stop Working, What Should You Actually Do Next?

Most OTC acne products don't stop working; they were never matched to the right type of acne in the first place. Here's how to tell when you've given them a fair shot and what a dermatologist can actually do differently.

Dr. Dennis PortoSep 1, 2026

OTC Acne Products vs. Prescription Acne Treatment: How to Know When You Need a Dermatologist

Cycling through drugstore acne products without results usually isn't a product problem; it's a signal that your acne has outgrown what OTC can offer. Here's how to tell where you sit on that line, and what the prescription tier actually adds.

Dr. Dennis PortoSep 1, 2026

Acne: A Complete Dermatologist's Guide

Acne isn't one condition; it's at least three, and treating the wrong subtype is why most OTC products seem to stop working. This guide covers how to identify comedonal, inflammatory, and hormonal acne, and what prescription treatment looks like when it's done right.

Dr. Dennis PortoSep 1, 2026

Why Did My Acne Products Stop Working? A Dermatologist Walks Through It

Cycling through drugstore acne products without results usually isn't a product problem; it's a targeting problem. A dermatologist breaks down why most OTC routines stall and what it takes to actually clear your skin.

Dr. Dennis PortoSep 1, 2026

Why Your Acne Treatment Isn't Working: A Dermatologist's Guide to What Should Actually Be Checked

When acne treatment stops working, most people reach for a new product. But the real issue is often diagnostic: wrong application, an unidentified hormonal driver, or a condition that isn't acne at all. Here's what a thorough investigation actually looks like.

Dr. Dennis PortoAug 26, 2026

Acne: A Dermatologist's Honest Guide

Most acne treatment fails not because the medications don't work, but because people quit too early, apply them wrong, or never get on the right regimen. Here's what a dermatologist actually recommends, from first-line topicals to isotretinoin.

Dr. Dennis PortoAug 26, 2026

Why Isn't My Acne Treatment Working Yet?

Most acne treatments need 8 to 12 weeks of consistent, correct use before they can be fairly judged. If you're dabbing medication on individual spots or quitting at week three, the treatment hasn't actually had a real chance yet.

Dr. Dennis PortoAug 26, 2026

Why Your Acne Treatment Isn't Working Yet: A Beginner's Guide

Starting an acne treatment and seeing nothing happen is frustrating, but it's rarely a sign the treatment has failed. A dermatologist breaks down why results take longer than expected, what purging actually means, and the most common mistake that quietly undermines most routines.

Dr. Dennis PortoAug 26, 2026

Why Isn't My Acne Treatment Working? A Dermatologist's Honest Guide

Most acne treatments don't fail because they're the wrong drug; they fail because of how, and how long, they're used. A dermatologist breaks down the real reasons skin isn't clearing, ranked by how often they actually show up in practice.

Dr. Dennis PortoAug 26, 2026

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