What is the recommended skin care for acne treatment?

From the Guidelines

For acne treatment, a comprehensive skincare approach is recommended, starting with a gentle cleanser containing benzoyl peroxide (2.5-5%) used twice daily, as it is strongly recommended by recent guidelines 1. The skincare regimen should include a topical retinoid like adapalene 0.1% gel or tretinoin 0.025% cream once daily at night, starting every other night to build tolerance, as topical retinoids are strongly recommended for patients with acne 1. For inflammatory acne, benzoyl peroxide 2.5-5% can be applied to affected areas in the morning. Moisturize with a non-comedogenic, oil-free moisturizer, and always use SPF 30+ sunscreen during the day as retinoids increase sun sensitivity. For spot treatment, 2% salicylic acid or 5% benzoyl peroxide can be effective. This regimen works because salicylic acid exfoliates and unclogs pores, benzoyl peroxide kills acne-causing bacteria, and retinoids normalize skin cell turnover and reduce inflammation. Key points to consider in the skincare regimen include:

• Using a gentle cleanser containing benzoyl peroxide (2.5-5%) twice daily
• Applying a topical retinoid once daily at night
• Using benzoyl peroxide for inflammatory acne
• Moisturizing with a non-comedogenic, oil-free moisturizer
• Using SPF 30+ sunscreen during the day For moderate to severe acne that doesn't respond to topical treatments within 8-12 weeks, consult a dermatologist for prescription options like oral antibiotics (doxycycline, minocycline), hormonal treatments, or isotretinoin, as recommended by recent guidelines 1. Consistency is key—results typically take 6-8 weeks to become noticeable. It is also important to note that systemic antibiotics should be used concomitantly with benzoyl peroxide and other topical therapy to reduce the development of antibiotic resistance and other antibiotic-associated complications 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Use a mild, non-medicated soap. Avoid frequent washings and harsh scrubbing. Acne isn't caused by dirt, so no matter how hard you scrub, you can't wash it away. Washing too frequently or scrubbing too roughly may at times actually make your acne worse. Wash your skin gently with a mild bland soap. (Two or three times a day should be sufficient). Pat skin dry with a towel. It is recommended that you apply a moisturizer or a moisturizer with sunscreen that will not aggravate your acne (noncomedogenic) every morning after you wash

The recommended skin care for acne treatment is to:

• Wash skin gently with a mild, non-medicated soap, 2-3 times a day
• Pat skin dry with a towel
• Apply a moisturizer or a moisturizer with sunscreen that will not aggravate acne (noncomedogenic) every morning after washing
• Avoid frequent washings and harsh scrubbing, as this may worsen acne 2

From the Research

Skin Care for Acne Treatment

The recommended skin care for acne treatment involves a combination of topical and oral therapies. Some key points to consider include:

• Topical retinoids, such as tretinoin, adapalene, and tazarotene, are a mainstay of acne treatment due to their ability to expel mature comedones, reduce microcomedone formation, and exert anti-inflammatory effects 3.
• Combination therapy with topical retinoids and antibiotics is often used to target multiple pathogenic factors associated with acne, including abnormal follicular keratinization, P. acnes proliferation, inflammation, and increased sebum production 4, 5.
• Topical retinoids are recommended as first-line therapy for all but the most severe forms of acne, and are used as monotherapy in mild comedonal acne or in combination with benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics for inflammatory acne 6, 5.
• Fixed-combination products, such as adapalene 0.3%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel, are effective and well-tolerated, and can improve patient adherence by reducing the number of medications and applications 5, 7.
• Oral antibiotics, such as doxycycline, may be used in combination with topical therapies for severe inflammatory acne, and can be an effective alternative to oral isotretinoin in some cases 7.

Treatment Options

Some treatment options for acne include:

• Topical retinoids, such as tretinoin, adapalene, and tazarotene
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Azelaic acid
• Topical and oral antibiotics
• Oral isotretinoin (for severe nodular acne or treatment-resistant acne)
• Hormonal treatment (for female acne)
• Combination therapies, such as adapalene 0.3%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel plus oral doxycycline 3, 4, 6, 5, 7.

Safety and Efficacy

The safety and efficacy of acne treatments have been evaluated in several studies. For example:

• A study of adapalene 0.3%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel plus oral doxycycline found that this combination was effective and safe for the treatment of severe inflammatory acne, with significant reductions in inflammatory lesions and improvements in patient-reported outcomes 7.
• Topical retinoids have a favorable safety profile, with local adverse effects such as erythema, dryness, itching, and stinging occurring frequently during the early treatment phase, but resolving with continued use 3.