What is the role of oral antibiotics in the management of acne?

The role of oral antibiotics in the management of acne primarily revolves around their ability to suppress the growth of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), a bacterium that plays a significant role in the development of acne lesions. By reducing the bacterial load, oral antibiotics help to decrease inflammation, prevent the formation of new acne lesions, and promote healing of existing ones. This is critical in cases of moderate to severe acne, where topical treatments alone may not be sufficient.

While other treatment options may address symptoms such as dryness or hormonal imbalances, the unique function of oral antibiotics is their antibacterial effect, targeting P. acnes and thus providing an essential component in the clinical management of acne. This makes option C the correct answer, as it accurately describes the antibacterial action that is fundamental to the use of oral antibiotics in treating acne.