A Salicylic Acid-Based Dermocosmetic is Effective as an Adjunct to Benzoyl Peroxide for Mild to Moderate Acne and as Monotherapy in Maintenance Post Benzoyl Peroxide

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”

In controlled trials, use of dermocosmetics was associated with persistent reduction in visible acne lesions after prescription therapy or maintained acne clearance, with significant differences versus placebo/comparator.

“In the controlled trials, use of dermocosmetics was associated with both a persistent reduction in visible acne lesions after prescription therapy or maintained acne clearance; differences were significant versus placebo/comparator.41, 44, 45”

In RCTs, addition of dermocosmetics to acne treatments (adapalene, BPO, adapalene-BPO, clindamycin/BPO, isotretinoin and tretinoin) significantly improved cutaneous tolerability (erythema, dryness and scaling).

“In RCTs, addition of dermocosmetics to acne treatments (adapalene, benzoyl peroxide [BPO], adapalene‐BPO, clindamycin/BPO, isotretinoin and tretinoin) significantly improved cutaneous tolerability (erythema, dryness and scaling).”

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.”

The effects on efficacy and clinical outcomes statistically significantly improved with use of dermocosmetics in three of the RCTs with trends towards better outcomes in the remaining two RCTs.

“The effects on efficacy and clinical outcomes statistically significantly improved with use of dermocosmetics in three of the RCTs with trends towards better outcomes in the remaining two RCTs (Table 3).”

Patients in the adjunctive treatment groups uniformly had better adherence, reported improvements in quality of life and were well satisfied with their acne treatment.

“The results indicate patients in the adjunctive treatment groups uniformly had better adherence, reported improvements in quality of life and were well satisfied with their acne treatment.”

The lower quality studies agreed that addition of dermocosmetics to medical therapies (adapalene-BPO, tretinoin 0.05%, 'regular acne therapy' and topical retinoid + clindamycin/BPO) improved tolerability.

“The lower quality studies agreed that addition of dermocosmetics to medical therapies (adapalene‐BPO, tretinoin 0.05%, ‘regular acne therapy’ and topical retinoid + clindamycin/BPO) improved tolerability.”

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”

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.”