Efficacy of a multitargeted, salicylic acid‐based dermocosmetic cream compared to benzoyl peroxide 5% in Acne vulgaris : Results from a randomized study
Open accessAbstract
Introduction: Acne vulgaris (acne) is characterized by both inflammatory and non‐inflammatory lesions. Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) 5% is approved to treat acne but may cause skin irritation and/or contact allergy. Objectives: To compare the benefit in acne of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream containing salicylic acid, lipohydroxy acid, niacinamide, 2‐oleamido‐1,3‐octadecanediol, piroctone olamine, zinc, Aqua posae filiformis , and thermal spring water (DC‐Eff) to BPO 5% gel. Materials and Methods: 150 Caucasian subjects (50% female) aged between 18 and 40 years, with mild to moderate acne according to the GEA (Global Evaluation of Acne) grading system were randomized into two parallel groups (DC‐Eff or BPO to be applied twice daily for 56 days). IGA (investigator global assessment), GEA, lesion count, clinical signs and symptoms, and subject assessment were evaluated at baseline, and after 28 and 56 days (D28 and D56) of treatment. Results: The responder analyses of the IGA and GEA scores showed that 62.2% and 47.3%, respectively, in the DC‐Eff, compared with 50.0% and 36.5%, respectively, in the BPO, had improved by at least one point at D56. Inflammatory, non‐inflammatory, and total lesion counts significantly ( p < 0.0001) decreased with both products from baseline, with no between‐group difference. Subjects considered that their skin was smoother and that DC‐Eff was easy to apply. DC‐Eff was better tolerated than BPO. Conclusions: DC‐Eff applied twice daily is as beneficial as BPO in improving mild‐to‐moderate acne. DC‐Eff was better tolerated than BPO and highly appreciated.
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Five randomized controlled trials showed significantly superior reductions in acne lesion counts with dermocosmetics versus comparators.
“Five RCTs showed significantly superior reductions in acne lesion counts with dermocosmetics versus comparators”
From International expert consensus recommendations for the use of dermocosmetics in acne. (2025) · cites this paper as [27]
Section 3.2 (Clinical efficacy) reports significant reductions in lesion counts from baseline in both treatment groups, but explicitly states there was no difference between groups. The Methods describe one randomized study, not five RCTs. The source therefore does not support the claimed superiority over comparators. (LLM, conf=0.93)
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Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredTwo randomized controlled trials showed reductions in acne lesion counts comparable to benzoyl peroxide 2.5% and 5% and retinoic acid 0.025%.
“two showed reductions comparable to BPO 2.5% and 5% and retinoic acid 0.025%.”
From International expert consensus recommendations for the use of dermocosmetics in acne. (2025) · cites this paper as [27]
The Methods and Figure 5 describe one randomized study in which acne lesion counts fell in both the dermocosmetic and benzoyl peroxide 5% groups. This paper does not establish the claim about two trials or comparisons with benzoyl peroxide 2.5% and retinoic acid 0.025%. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.89)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredIn both randomized controlled trials assessing tolerability, the dermocosmetic was better tolerated than comparators (benzoyl peroxide and retinoic acid 0.025%).
“In both RCTs, tolerability of the dermocosmetic was better than that of comparators (BPO and retinoic acid 0.025%).”
From International expert consensus recommendations for the use of dermocosmetics in acne. (2025) · cites this paper as [27]
Section 3.5 (Local tolerance; page unavailable) reports that the dermocosmetic was better tolerated than benzoyl peroxide. The Methods describe one randomized comparison with benzoyl peroxide; our copy does not report a second RCT comparing tolerability with retinoic acid 0.025% (searched: retinoic acid 0.025%, retinoic acid). (LLM, conf=0.90)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredTolerability was an outcome in seven studies: two randomized controlled trials and five low-quality studies, collectively including 229 patients in dermocosmetic groups and 175 in comparator groups.
“Tolerability was an outcome in seven studies: two RCTs and five low‐quality studies that collectively included 229 patients in dermocosmetic groups and 175 in comparator groups.”
From International expert consensus recommendations for the use of dermocosmetics in acne. (2025) · cites this paper as [27]
The Methods describe a randomized comparison, Table 1 lists 75 participants in each group, and §3.5 reports local tolerability. This paper supports its inclusion as a tolerability-assessing RCT, but it does not establish the citing sentence’s totals of seven studies, 229 dermocosmetic patients, and 175 comparator patients, or the quality ratings of the other studies. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredTwo randomized controlled trials had numerically but not statistically superior reductions in acne lesion counts with dermocosmetics.
“two RCTs had numerically but not statistically superior reductions”
From International expert consensus recommendations for the use of dermocosmetics in acne. (2025) · cites this paper as [27]
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International expert consensus recommendations for the use of dermocosmetics in acne.
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- Authors
- Dal Belo, S. E., Kanoun‐Copy, L., Lambert, C., Cornillon, C., Muller, B., Jouni, H., Moreau, M., Palamarchuk, I., Kerob, D., & Aguilar, L.
- Affiliations
- L'Oréal Research and Innovation Aulnay‐Sous‐Bois France
- L'Oréal (France) (FR)
- L'Oréal Research and Innovation Clichy France
- Cosmetest Vidnovlennya Zhytomir Ukraine
- La Roche‐Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique Levallois‐Perret France
- Venue
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2023-11-08
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 891-897
- ISSN
- 1473-2130 (ISSN-L)
- 1473-2165
- OpenAlex
- W4388537120
- Cited by
- 17
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 5
- FWCI
- 4.65
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Acne and Rosacea Treatments and Effects
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatology and Skin Diseases
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatologic Treatments and Research
- Keywords
- acne, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, nicotinamide, piroctone olamine, zinc, thermal spring water, treatment tolerability, lesion count, skin irritation
- MeSH terms
- Acne Vulgaris, Adolescent, Adult, Benzoyl Peroxide, Dermatologic Agents, Drug Combinations, Female, Gels, Humans, Male, Treatment Outcome, Salicylic Acid, Young Adult
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