Korean Job Discussion Forums

periwinkle · Joined: 08 Feb 2003

Do I need a prescription, or can you get over-the-counter creams? I've had pharmacists put a mysterious white cream in one of those round pink containers. I don't know if it contains benzoyl peroxide or not, but it doesn't work for me (neither does erthromycin-sp? which they also like to give me). Does anyone know what I can ask for according to a name brand or something?

I'd kill to get my hands on some Oxy 5 or clearasil....

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

My friend bought "Retin A" somewhere. I could ask him I suppose.

peemil · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Location: Koowoompa

Just use hemorrhoid cream. It works the same way- If not better.

I'm a Doctor.

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

You can buy clean and clear at E-mart and pretty much other shopping center. It's near the toothpaste.

casey's moon · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: Daejeon

Hey Periwinkle,

If your pregnancy isn't 12 weeks yet you might want to be careful with using anything too harsh, even on your face. That includes acne medication, cold sore medication, etc. Ironically, the break outs will probably clear up around the same time that the fetus's development (of major organs, etc.) is finished, which is when topical medications are said to carry less risk.

Sorry for the unsolicited advice... hope that you're feeling healthy!

maeil · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Location: Haebangchon

I don't know if this is helpful, but a little import store in Jeongja (Bundang) carries Clearasil. It's marked up a lot though, something like 10,000 won, I think. The store's name is I love Cookie.

I may actually have a spare tube at my apartment.. I go through it pretty slowly, and a friend of mine will be coming back from the states soon and can hook me up. If you want, PM me and I'll see if I can send it out to you.

pastis · Joined: 20 Jun 2006

Last time I got a few nasty spots on my face I was in Thailand (cuz bkk air is a bit molasses-like...). Just bought a bunch of crap over-the-counter 'doxycyline' caplets (green color - useful among other thing for curing anthrax) for like 100 baht, washed it down day and night on an empty stomach with some nice cold singha beer, about a week. Cleared right up, no worries about (some) std's or malaria either. Moral: antibiotics rule. Not sure if that helps you though...

KumaraKitty · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Location: Bucheon

My pharmacist lady speaks some English, so I got a tube of "Brevoxyl" from her when my skin flared up a few months ago. 4%Benzoyl peroxide. "A Modern aqueous base for acne" is the tag, and it's made by Stiefel.

periwinkle · Joined: 08 Feb 2003

I had forgotten about this thread! Thanks Casey's Moon- good info.

Yeah, peemil, I'll have to try that. Where do I put that cream, again?

My friend puts toothpaste on her zits, and leaves it on all day. I wonder if people wonder why she has a dab of dried toothpaste on her forehead... I could try that- slather toothpaste all over my skin...

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

peemil · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Location: Koowoompa

I'm serious- It works on the same principle.

heydelores · Joined: 24 Apr 2006

Toothpaste does work, especially if it has flouride in it to kill bacteria, but be very careful if you have sensitive skin. Only use a little bit, and test it somewhere less noticeable than the middle of your face first. It can really irritate sensitive skin.

annabel · Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Location: Daegu

I've heard toothpaste works but only the "paste" kind, not the gel kind.

Over the past few weeks I've been trying Neutrogena spot control with Salicylic Acid but it doesn't seem to work too well... now I'm trying Tea Tree oil from the Body Shop, I hope it's better!