"i started doxycycline december last year and initially it broke my skin out horrendously as it has a &quot;purging&quot; effect. the spots will be red and quite painful, (i found using ice soothed them down quicker). after about 3 weeks my skin started to clear, and after almost a year i had stopped taking them. recently i began again after breaking out more than usual, after about a 4 month break, and my skin has had that same purge experience. it seems that these do help but once your skin clears i&#039;d avoid going back on them and find other ways to fight the light break outs. i use it in conjunction with isotrexin gel."