From the Guidelines
To improve appearance beyond acne concerns, it is crucial to prioritize a comprehensive skincare routine that enhances overall skin health, focusing on moisturizing, protecting, and gently treating the skin. When considering treatments to improve appearance, excluding acne, several key points from recent guidelines are noteworthy.
- The use of skin moisturizer is recommended to avoid dryness of skin 1.
- Applying water-soluble sodium cromolyn cream two to four times a day can help with urticaria, pruritus, vesicles, or bullae, though it should not be used on denuded lesions 1.
- Topical corticosteroids and creams can also be beneficial for skin health 1.
- For diffuse lesions, applying a bath or using sterile gauze with zinc sulfate may be helpful 1. Additionally, considering the use of camouflage cosmetics and sunscreens can be an appropriate initial approach, especially in adults with skin types I and II, as suggested in the guideline for the diagnosis and management of vitiligo 1. Given the emphasis on skin health and protection, using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30-50 every morning and reapplying every 2 hours when outdoors is a critical step in improving and maintaining skin appearance. Other beneficial practices include:
- Using gentle cleansers and moisturizers appropriate for one's skin type.
- Considering the addition of products containing vitamin C, retinol, or niacinamide for their antioxidant, anti-aging, and skin tone benefits, though these specific recommendations are not directly mentioned in the provided evidence, they are supported by general dermatological principles. Overall, the goal is to enhance skin health and appearance through a combination of protection, moisturizing, and gentle treatment, prioritizing the most recent and highest quality evidence available.
From the FDA Drug Label
Use Remove dark spots on face. The treatments that improve appearance, excluding acne, are:
- Niacinamide (TOP) to remove dark spots on the face 2
From the Research
Treatments to Improve Appearance
Treatments that can improve the appearance of the skin, excluding acne, include:
- Topical retinoids, which have been shown to improve fine lines, wrinkles, and skin texture 3, 4, 5, 6
- Chemical peels, such as a 5% retinoid acid chemical peel, which can improve the appearance of photodamaged skin 4, 5
- Microdermabrasion, which can be used in combination with chemical peels to improve the appearance of photodamaged skin 4
- Cosmeceuticals containing retinol, niacinamide, hexylresorcinol, and resveratrol, which can improve the appearance of fine lines, radiance, and smoothness 3
Key Ingredients
Key ingredients that can improve the appearance of the skin include:
- Retinol, which can improve fine lines, wrinkles, and skin texture 3, 5, 6
- Niacinamide, which can improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation and skin clarity 3
- Hexylresorcinol, which can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles 3
- Resveratrol, which can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles 3
Treatment Options
Treatment options that can improve the appearance of the skin include:
- Topical creams or gels containing retinol and other ingredients 3
- Chemical peels, such as a 5% retinoid acid chemical peel 4, 5
- Microdermabrasion, which can be used in combination with chemical peels 4
- Cosmeceuticals containing a combination of ingredients, such as retinol, niacinamide, hexylresorcinol, and resveratrol 3