Holland & Barrett Acne Relief Tablets Review
- M Christl
- Apr 29
- 4 min read
When it comes to over the counter acne supplements, the H&B Acne Relief Tablets are a commonly recommended option in the UK.
It's marketed as a traditional herbal remedy that aims to support clearer skin from within rather than relying on topical treatments.
But how well do herbal ingredients actually work for breakouts?
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How Do the Acne Treatment Tablets Work?
The acne relief tablets are classified as a traditional herbal medicinal product, meaning the results are based on old herbal remedies that people have used for a long time—not on newer scientific studies that prove how well they work.
The idea behind the formula is to:
Support skin health internally
Help reduce minor skin issues like spots and blemishes (and minor eczema)
Promote clearer skin over time
Unlike targeted clear skin supplements that focus on oil production or blemish overactivity, this product takes a more general “traditional detox-style” approach using herbal extracts.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean the mechanism is less specific and less evidence-driven compared to newer formulations.
What Are the Ingredients?
The formula centers around two key herbal ingredients:
Burdock Root Extract
Blue Flag Iris Rhizome Extract
These ingredients have historically been used for skin conditions and are believed to support:
Skin detoxification
Reduction in minor inflammation
General skin clarity
However, it’s worth noting:
There are no modern clinical studies confirming strong acne-specific results
The formula lacks common acne-focused nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin B5, or hormone-balancing compounds
In short, the formulation may limit how effective it is for more persistent acne.
Other Ingredients (What Else Is Inside?)
These tablets also contain a number of additional ingredients used for structure, coating, and appearance. But most notably contain sucrose and sugar powder as well as talc.
Added sugars (sucrose and sugar powder): If you’re prone to acne, excess sugar intake is often something people try to minimize as it may contribute to inflammation and breakouts in some individuals. Including sugar in a blemish relief tablet product may feel a bit counterintuitive.
Talc: Used as a filler and anti-caking agent, but not something that adds any skin support benefits. Some consumers also prefer to avoid it altogether.
Overall, these ingredients don’t contribute to skin support which may be a downside if you’re looking for a more clean or targeted formula.
Acne Relief Tablets Side Effects
Because this is a herbal product, many assume it’s completely risk-free, but that’s not entirely accurate.
Reported and potential side effects include:
Nausea or stomach discomfort
Unpleasant taste
Possible allergic reactions (in rare cases)
There are also restrictions:
Not recommended during pregnancy
Not suitable for certain skin conditions or allergies
Customer feedback also mentions some users stopped taking it due to nausea or discomfort.
So while generally mild, side effects are definitely something to consider.
Customer Reviews
What people like:
Slight improvements in skin clarity
May help reduce the appearance of redness in some cases
Easy to take tablets
Common complaints:
Nausea or bad aftertaste
Results are inconsistent
Takes time to notice changes
Customers questioned how much of the improvement was actually due to the tablets versus other lifestyle changes.
Dosage & How to Take
These tablets are taken orally and are suitable for adults and children over 12 years old.
The recommended dose is 1 tablet, 2 to 3 times per day.
You can take them alongside your regular skincare routine, making them an easy add-on if you’re already using topical products.
Availability & Where to Buy
2026 Update* One important thing to note is that these tablets are currently very hard to find, if not completely unavailable in most places.
At the time of writing, the H&B Acne Relief Tablets:
Don’t appear to be available on the Holland & Barrett website
Aren’t listed or in stock at major retailers like Boots
Are not reliably available on Amazon either
This kind of inconsistency can be frustrating especially if you’re looking for something you can take daily and rely on long-term.
If you’re specifically looking for a clear skin supplement on Amazon UK, it may be worth considering Blemless as a more accessible alternative that you can actually reorder consistently or put on subscription.
In general, when a supplement isn’t consistently available it makes it harder to stick to a routine and see real results.
Q&A
How long does it take to work?
Most users report seeing changes after a few weeks, but results aren’t guaranteed.
Is it suitable for severe acne?
It’s designed for mild to moderate skin issues, not severe or cystic acne.
Is it clinically proven?
No—it’s based on traditional use, not modern clinical trials.
Can I take it with other supplements?
Generally yes, but you should check for ingredient overlap or sensitivities.
What pills can I take to get rid of acne?
There isn’t a pill that can get rid of acne for everyone. Acne is influenced by multiple underlying factors like oil production, redness, and lifestyle, so results can vary from person to person.
Some supplements like Blemless are designed to support clearer looking skin by targeting these underlying factors rather than acting as a quick fix.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Affordable
Non-prescription option
Suitable for those 12 and over
Cons
Availability is very limited
Not targeted toward root causes like hormones or oil production
Mixed results depending on the user
Potential side effects
Final Takeaway
Holland & Barrett Acne Relief Tablets are a decent entry-level option if you’re looking for a traditional herbal supplement for mild breakouts.
However, their biggest limitation is also their defining feature: they rely on basic herbal ingredients without targeting the underlying causes of acne.
For some people that may be enough, but if you’re dealing with:
Skin changes related to hormonal fluctuations
Persistent breakouts
Or inconsistent results
…you may find that a more modern, targeted formula like Blemless offers a more comprehensive approach.
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