A PERFECT MATCH

Compounding and dermatology make a perfect match—like coffee and Monday mornings. When it comes to skincare, sometimes the standard options just don’t cut it. Medications go on backorder, products get discontinued, or your insurance company suddenly decides that problem skin isn’t “medically necessary.” (Apparently, they’ve never met a teenager before.)

Let’s Talk About Acne. Acne happens for many reasons, but here’s the quick version: your sebaceous glands (oil producers) go into overdrive, and that extra oil mixes with dead skin cells to clog the follicle. Add in normal skin bacteria that decide to throw a party, and suddenly you’ve got the perfect recipe for a breakout.

The result? Papules, pustules, nodules, cysts—basically, all the things we’d rather not see in the mirror first thing in the morning. Common acne-fighting ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin, and spironolactone can be highly effective—but how they’re delivered makes a difference.

The Secret Sauce: It’s All About the Base. In compounding, the “base” isn’t just filler—it’s the foundation that determines how well your medication works and how your skin tolerates it. (Think of it as the difference between a gourmet cupcake and one from a gas station vending machine.)

That’s why we love PCCA’s Clarifying Base, an ideal vehicle for acne and problem skin formulations. Clarifying Base helps decrease oil formation, moisturizes deeply, and uses natural ingredients that calm irritation and redness. Even better, it was designed specifically to hold benzoyl peroxide—one of the most effective (and sometimes most finicky) acne-fighting ingredients.

Custom Formulas That Put You in Control. When we compound an acne medication, we can adjust both the ingredients and the strength to match your skin’s unique needs. That means your treatment isn’t just another one-size-fits-all approach—it’s personalized care, made just for you.

Here are a few sample combinations we can prepare using Clarifying Base:

Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% / Tretinoin 0.05%

Benzoyl Peroxide 10% / Erythromycin 3%

Clindamycin 1% / Benzoyl Peroxide 5%

Spironolactone 5%

Of course, your exact formula depends on your skin type, medical history, and what you’ve al-ready tried. We’ll work closely with your provider to find the right ingredients and prepare a custom formulation that fits your goals, your skin, and your wallet.