As of 2020, you can get a popular acne treatment, benzoyl peroxide, without the green light from a trained expert. Benzoyl peroxide is an acne-fighting ingredient that works as an antiseptic, aiming to reduce the amount of bacteria on the skin's surface, which causes acne.
Benzoyl peroxide can be purchased as a face wash, for example Acnecide's Face Wash 5% w/w Gel (£11) or in a gel formula, like Acnecide Face 5% w/w Gel (£10). Pharmacists warn that these products shouldn't be used together or used in conjunction with other acne medicine such as isotretinoin (also known as Roaccutane).
It's imperative to wear sunscreen while using the treatment, which you should slowly ease into, beginning with two times a week and gradually increasing, to build up the skin's tolerance of the product, so you don't over-irritate or dry out the skin.