1766Accesses
48Citations
14Altmetric
1Mention
Abstract
The multifactorial etiology of acne vulgaris makes it challenging to treat. Current treatments include topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, topical and systemic antibiotics, azelaic acid, and systemic isotretinoin. Adjunctive and/or emerging approaches include topical dapsone, taurine bromamine, resveratrol, chemical peels, optical treatments, as well as complementary and alternative medications. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the therapies available for acne and their latest developments, including new treatment strategies (i.e. re-evaluation of the use of oral antibiotics and avoidance of topical antibiotic monotherapy, use of subantimicrobial antibiotic dosing, use of low-dose isotretinoin, optical treatments), new formulations (microsponges, liposomes, nanoemulsions, aerosol foams), new combinations (fixed-combination products of topical retinoids and topical antibiotics [essentially clindamycin] or benzoyl peroxide), new agents (topical dapsone, taurine bromamine, resveratrol) and their rationale and likely place in treatment. Acne vaccines, topical natural antimicrobial peptides, and lauric acid represent other promising therapies.
This is a preview of subscription content,log in via an institution to check access.
Access this article
Subscribe and save
- Get 10 units per month
- Download Article/Chapter or eBook
- 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
- Cancel anytime
Buy Now
Price includes VAT (Japan)
Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.References
Kim RH, Armstrong AW. Current state of acne treatment: highlighting lasers, photodynamic therapy, and chemical peels. Dermatol Online J 2011 Mar; 17(3): 2
Williams HC, Dellavalle RP, Garner S. Acne vulgaris. Lancet 2012 Jan 28; 379(9813): 361–72
Ghodsi SZ, Orawa H, Zouboulis CC. Prevalence, severity, and severity risk factors of acne in high school pupils: a community-based study. J Invest Dermatol 2009 Sep; 129(9): 2136–41
Dréno Recent data on epidemiology of acne [in French]. Ann Dermatol Venereol 2010 Nov; 137 Suppl. 2: S49–51
Goçalves G, Amado J, Matos M, et al. The prevalence of acne among a group of Portuguese medical students. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2012 Apr; 26(4): 514–7
Perkins AC, Maglione J, Hillebrand GG, et al. Acne vulgaris in women: prevalence across the life span. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2012 Feb; 21(2): 223–30
Golchai J, Khani SH, Heidarzadeh A, et al. Comparison of anxiety and depression in patients with acne vulgaris and healthy individuals. Indian J Dermatol 2010 Oct; 55(4): 352–4
Dunn LK, O’Neill JL, Feldman SR. Acne in adolescents: quality of life, self-esteem, mood, and psychological disorders. Dermatol Online J 2011 Jan 15; 17(1):1
Gollnick H, Cunliffe W, Berson D, et al., Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne. Management of acne: a report from a Global Alliance to Improve Out-comes in Acne. J Am Acad Dermatol 2003 Jul; 49 (1 Suppl.): S1–37
Strauss JS, Krowchuk DP, Leyden JJ, et al. Guidelines of care for acne vulgaris management. J Am Acad Dermatol 2007 Apr; 56(4): 651–63
Dréno Bettoli V, Ochsendorf F, et al. European recommendations on the use of oral antibiotics for acne. Eur J Dermatol 2004 Nov–Dec; 14 (6): 391–9
Nast A, Bayerl C, Borelli C, et al. S2k-guideline for therapy of acne [in German]. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2010 Jul; 8 Suppl. 2: s1–59
Thielitz A, Gollnick H. Topical retinoids in acne vulgaris: update on efficacy and safety. Am J Clin Dermatol 2008; 9(6): 369–81
Yentzer BA, McClain RW, Feldman SR. Do topical retinoids cause acne to“flare”? J Drugs Dermatol 2009 Sep; 8_(9): 799–801
Gollnick HP, Finlay AY, Shear N. Can we define acne as a chronic disease? If so, how and when? Am J Clin Dermatol 2008; 9_(5): 279–84
Cunliffe WJ, Poncet M, Loesche C, et al. A comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of adapalene 0.1% gel versus tretinoin 0.025% gel in patients with acne vulgaris: a meta-analysis of five randomized trials. Br J Dermatol 1998 Oct; 139 Suppl. 52: 48–56
Eichenfield LF, Wortzman M. A novel gel formulation of 0.25% tretinoin and 1.2% clindamycin phosphate: efficacy in acne vulgaris patients aged 12 to 18 years. Pediatr Dermatol 2009 May–Jun; 26(3): 257–61
Webster GF. Evidence-based review: fixed-combination therapy and topical retinoids in the treatment of acne. J Drugs Dermatol 2011 Jun; 10(6): 636–44
Eichenfield LF, Alió Sáenz AB. Safety and efficacy of clindamycin phosphate 1.2%-benzoyl peroxide 3% fixed-dose combination gel for the treatment of acne vulgaris: a phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, active- and vehicle-controlled study. J Drugs Dermatol 2011 Dec 1; 10(12): 1382–96
Gold LS, Tan J, Cruz-Santana A, et al. A North American study of adapalene- benzoyl peroxide combination gel in the treatment of acne. Cutis 2009 Aug; 84(2): 110–6
Lucky AW, Sugarman J. Comparison of micronized tretinoin gel 0.05% and tretinoin gel microsphere 0.1% in young adolescents with acne: a post hoc analysis of efficacy and tolerability data. Cutis 2011 Jun; 87(6): 305–10
Torok HM, Pillai R. Safety and efficacy of micronized tretinoin gel (0.05%) in treating adolescent acne. J Drugs Dermatol 2011 Jun; 10(6): 647–52
Castro GA, Oliveira CA, Mahecha GA, et al. Comedolytic effect and reduced skin irritation of a new formulation of all-trans retinoic acid-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for topical treatment of acne. Arch Dermatol Res 2011 Sep; 303(7): 513–20
Lee HE, Ko JY, Kim YH, et al. A double-blind randomized controlled comparison of APDDR-0901, a novel cosmeceutical formulation, and 0.1% adapalene gel in the treatment of mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris. Eur J Dermatol 2011 Nov–Dec; 21(6): 959–65
Ganceviciene R, Zouboulis CC. Isotretinoin: state of the art treatment for acne vulgaris. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2010 Mar; 8 Suppl. 1: S47–59
Rigopoulos D, Larios G, Katsambas AD. The role of isotretinoin in acne therapy: why not as first-line therapy? Facts and controversies. Clin Dermatol 2010 Jan–Feb; 28(1): 24–30
Agarwal US, Besarwal RK, Bhola K. Oral isotretinoin in different dose regimens for acne vulgaris: a randomized comparative trial. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2011 Nov-Dec; 77(6): 688–94
Lee JW, Yoo KH, Park KY, et al. Effectiveness of conventional, low-dose and intermittent oral isotretinoin in the treatment of acne: a randomized, controlled comparative study. Br J Dermatol 2011 Jun; 164(6): 1369–75
Bernstein CN, Nugent Z, Longobardi T, et al. Isotretinoin is not associated with inflammatory bowel disease: a population-based case-control study. Am J Gastroenterol 2009 Nov; 104(11): 2774–8
Crockett SD, Porter CQ, Martin CF, et al. Isotretinoin use and the risk of inflammatory bowel disease: a case-control study. Am J Gastroenterol 2010 Sep; 105(9): 1986–93
Marqueling AL, Zane LT. Depression and suicidal behavior in acne patients treated with isotretinoin: a systematic review. Semin Cutan Med Surg 2007 Dec; 26(4): 210–20
Halvorsen JA, Stern RS, Dalgard F, et al. Suicidal ideation, mental health problems, and social impairment are increased in adolescents with acne: a population-based study. J Invest Dermatol 2011 Feb; 131(2): 363–70
Langan SM, Batchelor JM. Acne, isotretinoin and suicide attempts: a critical appraisal. Br J Dermatol 2011 Jun; 164(6): 1183–5
Sundström A, Alfredsson L, Sjölin-Forsberg G, et al. Association of suicide attempts with acne and treatment with isotretinoin: retrospective Swedish cohort study. BMJ 2010 Nov 11; 341: c5812
Lowenstein EB, Lowenstein EJ. Isotretinoin systemic therapy and the shadow cast upon dermatology’s downtrodden hero. Clin Dermatol 2011 Nov–Dec; 29(6): 652–61
Ross JI, Snelling AM, Carnegie E, et al. Antibiotic-resistant acne: lessons from Europe. Br J Dermatol 2003 Mar; 148(3): 467–78
Simonart T, Dramaix M. Treatment of acne with topical antibiotics: lessons from clinical studies. Br J Dermatol 2005 Aug; 153(2): 395–403
Thiboutot D, Gollnick H, Bettoli V, et al. New insights into the management of acne: an update from the Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne group. J Am Acad Dermatol 2009 May; 60 (5 Suppl.): S1–50
Ozolins M, Eady EA, Avery AJ, et al. Comparison of five antimicrobial regimens for treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory facial acne vulgaris in the community: randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2004 Dec 18–31; 364(9452): 2188–95
Simonart T, Dramaix M, De Maertelaer V. Efficacy of tetracyclines in the treatment of acne vulgaris: a review. Br J Dermatol 2008 Feb; 158(2): 208–16
Ochsendorf F. Minocycline in acne vulgaris: benefits and risks. Am J Clin Dermatol 2010; 11(5): 327–41
Skidmore R, Kovach R, Walker C, et al. Effects of subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline in the treatment of moderate acne. Arch Dermatol 2003 Apr; 139(4): 459–64
Toossi P, Farshchian M, Malekzad F, et al. Subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline in the treatment of moderate facial acne. J Drugs Dermatol 2008 Dec; 7(12): 1149–52
Brandstetter AJ, Maibach HI. Topical dose justification: benzoyl peroxide concentrations. J Dermatolog Treat. Epub 2011 Dec 27
Hughes BR, Norris JF, Cunliffe WJ. A double-blind evaluation of topical isotretinoin 0.05%, benzoyl peroxide gel 5% and placebo in patients with acne. Clin Exp Dermatol 1992 May; 17(3): 165–8
Harper JC. Benzoyl peroxide development, pharmacology, formulation and clinical uses in topical fixed-combinations. J Drugs Dermatol 2010 May; 9(5): 482–7
Choudhury S, Chatterjee S, Sarkar DK, et al. Efficacy and safety of topical nadifloxacin and benzoyl peroxide versus clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide in acne vulgaris: a randomized controlled trial. Indian J Pharmacol 2011 Nov; 43(6): 628–31
Seidler EM, Kimball AB. Meta-analysis comparing efficacy of benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, benzoyl peroxide with salicylic acid, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin in acne. J Am Acad Dermatol 2010 Jul; 63(1): 52–62
Gollnick HP, Graupe Zaumseil RP. Azelaic acid 15% gel in the treatment of acne vulgaris: combined results of two double-blind clinical comparative studies [in German]. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2004 Oct; 2(10): 841–7
Stinco G, Bragadin G, Trotter D, et al. Relationship between sebostatic activity, tolerability and efficacy of three topical drugs to treat mild to moderate acne. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2007 Mar; 21(3): 320–5
Katsambas A, Graupe Stratigos J. Clinical studies of 20% azelaic acid cream in the treatment of acne vulgaris: comparison with vehicle and topical tretinoin. Acta Derm Venereol Suppl (Stockh) 1989; 143: 35–9
Stotland M, Shalita AR, Kissling RF. Dapsone 5% gel: a review of its efficacy and safety in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Am J Clin Dermatol 2009; 10(4): 221–7
Pickert A, Raimer S. An evaluation of dapsone gel 5% in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2009 Jun; 10(9): 1515–21
Kircik LH. Harnessing the anti-inflammatory effects of topical dapsone for management of acne. J Drugs Dermatol 2010 Jun; 9(6): 667–71
Marcinkiewicz J, Wojas-Pelc A, Walczewska M, et al. Topical taurine bromamine, a new candidate in the treatment of moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris: a pilot study. Eur J Dermatol 2008 Jul–Aug; 18(4): 433–9
Dréno Fischer TC, Perosino E, et al. Expert opinion: efficacy of superficial chemical peels in active acne management: what can we learn from the literature today? Evidence-based recommendations. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2011 Jun; 25(6): 695–704
Takenaka Y, Hayashi N, Takeda M, et al. Glycolic acid chemical peeling improves inflammatory acne eruptions through its inhibitory and bactericidal effects on Propionibacterium acnes. J Dermatol 2012 Apr; 39(4): 350–4
Akarsu S, Fetil E, Yücel F, et al. Efficacy of the addition of salicylic acid to clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide combination for acne vulgaris. J Dermatol 2012 May; 39(5): 433–8
Del Rosso JQ. The use of sodium sulfacetamide 10%-sulfur 5% emollient foam in the treatment of acne vulgaris. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 2009 Aug; 2(8): 26–9
Fabbrocini G, Staibano S, De Rosa G, et al. Resveratrol-containing gel for the treatment of acne vulgaris: a single-blind, vehicle-controlled, pilot study. Am J Clin Dermatol 2011 Apr 1; 12(2): 133–41
Arowojolu Gallo MF, Lopez LM, et al. Combined oral contraceptive pills for treatment of acne. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009 Jul; 8(3): CD004425
Guerra-Tapia A, Sancho Pérez Ethinylestradiol/chlormadinone acetate: dermatological benefits. Am J Clin Dermatol 2011 Sep 6; 12 Suppl. 1:3–11
Frangos JE, Alavian CN, Kimball AB. Acne and oral contraceptives: update on women’s health screening guidelines. J Am Acad Dermatol 2008 May; 58(5): 781–6
Brown J, Farquhar C, Lee O, et al. Spironolactone versus placebo or in combination with steroids for hirsutism and/or acne. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009 Apr 15; (2): CD000194
Gribbon EM, Shoesmith JG, Cunliffe WJ, et al. The microaerophily and photosensitivity of Propionibacterium acnes. J Appl Bacteriol 1994 Nov; 77(5): 583–90
Ross EV. Optical treatments for acne. Dermatol Ther 2005 May–Jun; 18 (3): 253–66
Papageorgiou P, Katsambas A, Chu A. Phototherapy with blue (415 nm) and red (660 nm) light in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Br J Dermatol 2000 May; 142(5): 973–8
Tzung TY, Wu KH, Huang ML. Blue light phototherapy in the treatment of acne. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 2004 Oct; 20(5): 266–9
Haedersdal M, Togsverd-Bo K, Wulf HC. Evidence-based review of lasers, light sources and photodynamic therapy in the treatment of acne vulgaris. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2008 Mar; 22(3): 267–78
Hamilton FL, Car J, Lyons C, et al. Laser and other light therapies for the treatment of acne vulgaris: systematic review. Br J Dermatol 2009 Jun; 160(6): 1273–85
Jih MH, Kimyai-Asadi A. Laser treatment of acne vulgaris. Semin Plast Surg 2007 Aug; 21(3): 167–74
Gold MH, Biron J. Efficacy of a novel combination of pneumatic energy and broadband light for the treatment of acne. J Drugs Dermatol 2008 Jul; 7(7): 639–42
Shamban AT, Enokibori M, Narurkar V, et al. Photopneumatic technology for the treatment of acne vulgaris. J Drugs Dermatol 2008 Feb; 7(2): 139–45
Reuter J, Merfort I, Schempp CM. Botanicals in dermatology: an evidence-based review. Am J Clin Dermatol 2010; 11(4): 247–67
Simonart T, Kabagabo De Maertelaer V. Homoeopathic remedies in dermatology: a systematic review of controlled clinical trials. Br J Dermatol 2011 Oct; 165(4): 897–905
Magin PJ, Adams J, Pond CD, et al. Topical and oral CAM in acne: a review of the empirical evidence and a consideration of its context. Complement Ther Med 2006 Mar; 14(1): 62–76
Simpson RC, Grindlay DJ, Williams HC. What’s new in acne? An analysis of systematic reviews and clinically significant trials published in 2010–11. Clin Exp Dermatol 2011 Dec; 36(8): 840–3
Koku Aksu AE, Metintas S, Saracoglu ZN, et al. Acne: prevalence and relationship with dietary habits in Eskisehir, Turkey. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Epub 2011 Nov 10
Veith WB, Silverberg NB. The association of acne vulgaris with diet. Cutis 2011 Aug; 88(2): 84–91
Cordain L, Lindeberg S, Hurtado M, et al. Acne vulgaris: a disease of Western civilization. Arch Dermatol 2002 Dec; 138(12): 1584–90
Smith RN, Mann NJ, Braue A, et al. The effect of a high-protein, low glycemic-load diet versus a conventional, high glycemic-load diet on biochemical parameters associated with acne vulgaris: a randomized, investigator-masked, controlled trial. J Am Acad Dermatol 2007 Aug; 57(2): 247–56
Danby FW. Nutrition and acne. Clin Dermatol 2010 Nov–Dec; 28(6): 598–604
Kim J. Acne vaccines: therapeutic option for the treatment of acne vulgaris? J Invest Dermatol 2008 Oct; 128(10): 2353–4
Rubinchik E, Dugourd D, Algara T, et al. Antimicrobial and antifungal activities of a novel cationic antimicrobial peptide, omiganan, in experimental skin colonisation models. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2009 Nov; 34(5): 457–61
Wang Y, Zhang Z, Chen L, et al. Cathelicidin-BF, a snake cathelicidin-derived antimicrobial peptide, could be an excellent therapeutic agent for acne vulgaris. PLoS ONE 2011; 6(7): e22120
Nakatsuji T, Kao MC, Fang JY, et al. Antimicrobial property of lauric acid against Propionibacterium acnes: its therapeutic potential for inflammatory acne vulgaris. J Invest Dermatol 2009 Oct; 129(10): 2480–8
Acknowledgments
No sources of funding were used to prepare this article. The author has no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this article.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
av. Gounod 27, B-1070, Brussels, Belgium
Thierry Simonart (Private Practice)
- Thierry Simonart
You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
Corresponding author
Correspondence to Thierry Simonart.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Simonart, T. Newer Approaches to the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris.Am J Clin Dermatol13, 357–364 (2012). https://doi.org/10.2165/11632500-000000000-00000
Published:
Issue Date:
Share this article
Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:
Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.
Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative