Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Topical Therapies for Acne

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Acneiform Eruptions in Dermatology

  • 1793 Accesses

Abstract

Topical treatment is a key component of acne therapy. Acne treatments target factors contributing to acne formation and act to normalize follicular keratinization and decrease sebaceous gland activity and follicular bacterial populations [1]. With early treatment, acne scarring, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and psychological distress may be reduced or prevented [2]. Topical therapies for acne come in prescription and over-the-counter formulations. This chapter will focus on prescription products only.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Gong P, Gasparrini P, Rho D, et al. An in situ respirometric technique to measure pollution-inducted microbial community tolerance in soils contaminated with 2,4,6-trinitrotoulene. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2000;47(1):96–103.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Thiboutot D, Gollnick H, Bettoli V, et al. New insights into the management of acne: an update form the Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009; 60(5 suppl 1):S1–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Czernielewski J, Michel S, Bouclier M, et al. Adapalene biochemistry and the evolution of a new topical retinoid for treatment of acne (review). J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2001;15 suppl 3:5–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Eichner R. Epidermal effects of retinoids: in vitro studies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1986;15(4 pt 2):789–97.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Eichner R, Kahn M, Capetola RJ, et al. Effects of topical retinoids on cytoskeletal proteins: implications for retinoid effects on epidermal differentiation. J Invest Dermatol. 1992; 98(2):154–61.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Papa CM. The cutaneous safety of topical tretinoin. Acta Derm Venereol Suppl (Stockh). 1975;74:128–32.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Krautheim A, Gollnick H. Acne: topical treatment (review). Clin Dermatol. 2004;22(5): 398–407.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Kligman AM, Fulton Jr JE, Plewig G. Topical vitamin A acid in acne vulgaris. Arch Dermatol. 1969;99(4):469–76.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Hui AM, Shalita AR. Topical retinoids. In: Shalita AR, Del Rosso JQ, Webster GF, editors. Acne vulgaris. New York, NY: Informa Healthcare; 2011. p. 86–94.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  10. Leyden JJ, Marples RR, Mills OH, et al. Tretinoin and antibiotic therapy in acne vulgaris. South Med J. 1974;67(1):20–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Nyirady J, Lucas C, Yusuf M, et al. The stability of tretinoin in tretinoin gel microsphere 0.1%. Cutis. 2002;70(5):295–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Leyden JJ, Tanghetti EA, Miller B, et al. Once-daily tazarotene 0.1% gel versus once daily tretinoin 0.1% microsponge gel for the treatment of facial acne vulgaris: a double bind randomized control trial. Cutis. 2002;69(2 suppl):12–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Tanghetti E, Dhawan S, Green L, et al. Randomized comparison of the safety and efficacy of tazarotene 0.1% cream and adapalene 0.3% gel in the treatment of patients with at least moderate facial acne vulgaris. J Drugs Dermatol. 2009;9(5):549–58.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Ellis CN, Milikan LE, Smith EB, et al. Comparison of adapalene 0.1% solution and tretinoin 0.025% gel in the topical treatment of acne vulgaris. Br J Dermatol. 1998;139 suppl 52:41–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Webster GF, Guenther L, Poulin YP, et al. A multicenter, double-blind, randomized comparison study of the efficacy and tolerability of once-daily tazarotene 0.1% gel and adapalene 0.1% gel for the treatment of facial acne vulgaris. Cutis. 2002;69(2 suppl):20–9.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Galvin SA, Gilbert R, Baker M, et al. Comparative tolerance of adapalene 0.1% gel and six different tretinoin formulations. Br J Dermatol. 1998;139 suppl 52:34–40.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Caron D, Sorba V, Clucas A, et al. Skin tolerance of adapalene 0.1% gel in combination with other topical antiacne treatments. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1997;35(6 pt 2):S113–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Martin B, Meunier C, Montels D, et al. Chemical stability of adapalene and tretinoin when combined with benzoyl peroxide in presence and in absence of visible light and ultraviolet radiation. Br J Dermatol. 1998;139 suppl 52:8–11.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Thiboutot DM, Weiss J, Bucko A, Adapalene-BPO Study Group, et al. Adapalene-benzoyl peroxide, a fixed-dose combination for treatment of acne vulgaris: results of a multicenter, randomized double-blind, controlled study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;57(5):791–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Eichenfield LF, Wortzman M. A novel gel formulation of 0.025% tretinoin and 1.2% clindamycin phosphate: efficacy in acne vulgaris patients aged 12 to 18 years. Pediatr Dermatol. 2009; 26(3):257–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Loureiro KD, Kao KK, Jones KL, et al. Minor malformations characteristic of the retinoic acid embryopathy and other birth outcomes in children of women exposed to topical tretinoin during early pregnancy. Am J Med Genet A. 2005;136(2):117–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Zhang JZ, Li LF, Tu YT, et al. A successful maintenance approach in inflammatory acne with adapalene gel 0.1% after an initial treatment in combination with clindamycin topical solution 1% or after monotherapy with clindamycin topical solution 1%. J Dermatol Treat. 2004; 15(6):372–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Leyden JJ, Del Rosso JQ, Webster GF. Clinical considerations in the treatment of acne vulgaris and other inflammatory skin disorders: focus on antibiotic resistance. Cutis. 2007;79 suppl 6:9–25.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Gollnick H, Cunliffe W, Berson D, et al. Management of acne: a report from the global alliance to improve outcomes in acne. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003;49 suppl 1:S1–38.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Leyden JJ. The evolving role of Propionibacterium acnes in acne. Semim Cutan Med Surg. 2001;20:139–43.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Shalita AR, Myers JA, Krochman L, et al. The safety and efficacy of clindamycin phosphate foam 1% versus clindamycin phosphate topical gel 1% for the treatment of acne vulgaris. J Drugs Dermatol. 2005;4:46–8.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Ross JL, Snelling AM, Carneige E, et al. Antibiotic resistant acne lesions: lessons from Europe. Br J Dermatol. 2003;148:467–78.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Dreno B, Reynaud A, Moyse D, et al. Erythromycin-resistance of cutaneous bacterial flora in acne. Eur J Dermatol. 2001;11:549–53.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Esperson F. Resistance to antibiotics used in dermatologic practice. Br J Dermatol. 1998; 139:4–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Vowels BR, Feingold DS, Sloughfy C, et al. Effects of topical erythromycin on ecology of aerobic cutaneous bacterial flora. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1996;40:2598–604.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Naidoo J. Interspecific co-transfer of antibiotic resistance plasmids in staphylococci in vivo. J Hyg (Lond). 1984;93:59–66.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Del Rosso JQ, Leyden JJ, Thiboutot D, et al. Antibiotic use in acne vulgaris and rosacea: clinical considerations and resistance issues of significance to dermatologist. Cutis. 2008; 82(2S[ii]):5–12.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Del Rosso JQ. Topical antibiotics. In: Shalita AR, Del Rosso JQ, Webster GF, editors. Acne vulgaris. New York, NY: Informa Healthcare; 2011. p. 95–104.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  34. Bowe WP, Glick JB, Shalita AR. Solodyn and updates on topical and oral therapies for acne. Solodyn and updates on topical and oral acne therapies for acne. Curr Dermatol Rep. 2012; 1(3):97–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Yentzer BA, Ade RA, Fountain JM, et al. Simplifying regimens promotes greater adherence and outcomes with topical acne medications: a randomized controlled trial. Cutis. 2010; 86:103–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Thiboutot D. Versatility of azelaic acid 15% gel in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris. J Drugs Dermatol. 2008;7:13–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Cunliffe WJ, Hollan KT. Clinical and laboratory studies on treatment with 20% azelaic acid cream for acne. Acta Derm Venereol Suppl (Stockh). 1989;143:45–8.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Katsambas A, Graupe K. Azelaic acid for the treatment of acne vulgaris- a clinical comparison with vehicle and topical tretinoin. Acta Derm Venereol Suppl (Stockh). 1989;143:35–9.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Honzak L, Sentjurc M. Development of liposome encapsulated clindamycin for treatment of acne vulgaris. Pflugers Arch. 2000;440:44–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Castro GA, Ferreira LA. Novel vesicular and particular drug delivery systems for topical treatment of acne. Expert Opin Drug Deliv. 2008;5:665–79.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Torok HM, Pillai R. Safety and efficacy of micronized tretinoin gel (0.05%) in treating adolescent acne. J Drug Dermatol. 2011;10:647–51.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Villasenor J, Berson DS, Kroshinsky D. Combination therapy. In: Shalita AR, Del Rosso JQ, Webster GF, editors. Acne vulgaris. New York, NY: Informa Healthcare; 2011. p. 105–12.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Road, Brooklyn, NY, USA

    Mary-Margaret Kober M.D., Whitney P. Bowe M.D. & Alan R. Shalita M.D.

Authors
  1. Mary-Margaret Kober M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Whitney P. Bowe M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Alan R. Shalita M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mary-Margaret Kober M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, USA

    Joshua Zeichner

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Kober, MM., Bowe, W.P., Shalita, A.R. (2014). Topical Therapies for Acne. In: Zeichner, J. (eds) Acneiform Eruptions in Dermatology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8344-1_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8344-1_3

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-8343-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-8344-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation