What is the best treatment for acne currently?

From the Guidelines

The most effective treatment for acne currently is a combination approach, including topical benzoyl peroxide, topical retinoids, and oral doxycycline for moderate to severe cases, as recommended by the latest guidelines 1. When managing acne, it's essential to consider the severity of the condition and the potential impact on the patient's quality of life. For mild to moderate acne, starting with topical treatments like benzoyl peroxide (2.5-10%) and topical retinoids such as adapalene 0.1% gel or tretinoin 0.025-0.1% cream is recommended 1.

• Apply benzoyl peroxide in the morning to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation
• Apply retinoids at night to prevent clogged pores and promote cell turnover, as retinoids can be deactivated by sunlight For moderate to severe acne, oral antibiotics like doxycycline (100mg once or twice daily for 3-6 months) may be added to the treatment regimen 1.
• Doxycycline is recommended due to its efficacy and moderate certainty of evidence
• Limiting the use of systemic antibiotics is crucial to reduce the development of antibiotic resistance and other complications 1 Additional treatment options for women with hormonal acne include spironolactone (50-200mg daily) or combined oral contraceptives 1.
• Spironolactone is conditionally recommended due to its moderate certainty of evidence and potential benefits in reducing acne symptoms For severe, cystic acne, isotretinoin (0.5-1mg/kg/day for 4-6 months, total cumulative dose of 120-150mg/kg) is highly effective but requires medical supervision due to potential side effects 1.
• Isotretinoin is strongly recommended for severe acne due to its high efficacy and moderate certainty of evidence Consistent gentle cleansing twice daily with a non-comedogenic cleanser, avoiding picking or squeezing lesions, and using oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizers and sunscreen are essential complementary measures 1. Results typically take 6-12 weeks to become noticeable, so patience and consistency with the treatment regimen are crucial for achieving optimal outcomes.

From the FDA Drug Label

Product Label TOPCARE beauty Adapalene Gel Acne Treatment INDICATIONS AND USAGE Clindamycin Phosphate Topical Solution, Clindamycin Phosphate Gel, and Clindamycin Phosphate Lotion are indicated in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

The best treatment for acne currently is not explicitly stated in the provided drug labels. However, adapalene and clindamycin are both mentioned as treatments for acne.

• Adapalene is used for acne treatment, as indicated on the product label 2.
• Clindamycin is indicated for the treatment of acne vulgaris, but the physician should consider potential side effects and whether other agents are more appropriate 3. No conclusion can be drawn about which one is the "best" treatment.

From the Research

Current Treatments for Acne

The current treatments for acne include a variety of topical and oral medications, as well as physical and combined treatments.

• Topical retinoids, such as tretinoin and adapalene, are commonly used to treat mild to moderate acne 4, 5.
• Benzoyl peroxide is also effective in treating acne, especially when combined with topical retinoids 6, 7.
• Oral antibiotics, such as doxycycline and minocycline, may be prescribed for more severe cases of acne, but their use is limited due to the risk of antibiotic resistance 4, 5.
• Isotretinoin is a powerful oral medication that is typically reserved for severe, recalcitrant acne, but it can have significant side effects and requires close monitoring 4, 8.

Combination Therapies

Combination therapies, which involve the use of multiple medications or treatments, are often more effective than single therapies.

• The combination of clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide is a commonly used topical treatment for acne 6.
• The combination of a topical retinoid and benzoyl peroxide is also effective in treating mild to moderate acne 7.
• For moderate to severe acne, combination therapies that include oral antibiotics, hormonal therapies, or isotretinoin may be necessary 7, 4.

Emerging Treatments

There are several emerging treatments for acne that show promise, including:

• New topical therapies, such as dapsone 5% gel and minocycline foam 5.
• Physical modalities, such as laser therapy and light therapy, which may be effective in reducing acne lesions 7, 8.
• Complementary therapies, such as purified bee venom and low-glycemic-load diet, which may have anti-inflammatory effects and improve acne symptoms 8.