A double-blinded, randomized, vehicle-controlled study to access skin tolerability and efficacy of an anti-inflammatory moisturizer in treatment of acne with 0.1% adapalene gel
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Topical retinoids are considered to be the first-line agents and maintenance therapy of acne; however, irritation side effects are major concern issues. Noncomedogenic moisturizers are sometimes added to relieve cutaneous irritations. This study aimed to compare tolerability and efficacy of moisturizers containing licochalcone A, l-carnitine and 1,2-decanediol (active formulation) with a placebo in mild to moderate severe acne in Asian subjects. METHODS: This was an 8-week double-blind, prospective, randomized controlled study. All patients (n = 120) were randomized equally into three groups: (A) adapalene gel, (B) adapalene gel with the active formulation and (C) adapalene gel with the placebo. The severity of acne, skin bioengineering measurements and skin tolerability were recorded during the study. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, the active formulation group showed significant reductions in inflammatory lesions and total lesions at the end of the study without flare-up. Moreover, skin irritations were less detected than in the other two groups by corneometer and transepidermal water loss measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The concomitant usage of adapalene gel and the moisturizer containing licochalcone A, l-carnitine and 1,2-decanediol could reduce undesirable side effects without interfering the efficacy of adapalene. This moisturizer may be superior to placebo to prevent cutaneous irritations and enhance patients' adherence to acne medications.
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There was a 10.8%-29% mean reduction in TEWL, which was reported to be statistically significant in two studies.
“Further, there was a 10.8%–29% mean reduction in TEWL, which was reported to be statistically significant in two studies.44, 45, 48, 50, 52, 54”
From International expert consensus recommendations for the use of dermocosmetics in acne. (2025) · cites this paper as [48]
Three lower quality studies reported a decrease in superficial skin oiliness ranging from 17% to 47.3%, and all differences between adjunctive dermocosmetics groups and prescription therapy alone were statistically significant in favour of the adjunctive arms.
“Three lower quality reported a decrease in superficial skin oiliness ranging from 17% to 47.3%, and all differences between adjunctive dermocosmetics groups and prescription therapy alone were statistically significant in favour of the adjunctive arms.”
From International expert consensus recommendations for the use of dermocosmetics in acne. (2025) · cites this paper as [48]
The RCTs showed a statistically significant improvement in skin hydration on corneometry and a trend towards reducing sebum (sebumeter) with adjunctive dermocosmetics versus prescription therapy alone.
“As shown in Table 3, the RCTs showed a statistically significant improvement in skin hydration on corneometry and a trend towards reducing sebum (sebumeter) with adjunctive dermocosmetics versus prescription therapy alone.”
From International expert consensus recommendations for the use of dermocosmetics in acne. (2025) · cites this paper as [48]
Benefits included greater reductions in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions, reduced acne flares, maintenance of effects (with continued lesional decreases) after medical therapy was discontinued and a trend towards clinically relevant better global scores.
“Benefits included greater reductions in both inflammatory and non‐inflammatory lesions, reduced acne flares, maintenance of effects (with continued lesional decreases) after medical therapy was discontinued and a trend towards clinically relevant better global scores.44, 45, 48, 49, 57, 58, 59”
From International expert consensus recommendations for the use of dermocosmetics in acne. (2025) · cites this paper as [48]
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References 33 · Cited by 32
- Authors
- Chularojanamontri, L., Tuchinda, P., Kulthanan, K., Varothai, S., & Winayanuwattikun, W.
- Affiliations
- Siriraj Hospital (TH)
- Corresponding author
- Tuchinda, Papapit
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Dermatological Treatment
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2015-09-02
- Volume
- 27
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 140-145
- ISSN
- 0954-6634 (ISSN-L)
- 1471-1753
- OpenAlex
- W1849537629
- Cited by
- 32
- References
- 33
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2
- FWCI
- 1.49
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Dermatological Treatment (publishedVersion)
- 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 › Skin Protection and Aging
- Keywords
- acne, adapalene gel, topical retinoids, licochalcone A, L-carnitine, skin tolerability, skin irritation, corneometry, transepidermal water loss, Asian patients, medication adherence
- MeSH terms
- Adapalene, Acne Vulgaris, Administration, Topical, Adult, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Dermatologic Agents, Double-Blind Method, Female, Gels, Humans, Male, Prospective Studies, Skin, Chalcones, Medication Adherence, Young Adult
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