A dermocosmetic regimen is effective and safe for mild to moderate acne in subjects of all skin phototypes

Abstract

Background

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin condition with a multifactorial pathogenesis. The clinical appearance of acne and its sequelae may differ according to phototypes. Data regarding the potential benefit of dermocosmetics (DC) regardless of phototype are lacking and assessing acne improvement can be difficult, given the lack of visual support in people with skin of colour. A DC regimen, combining a cleanser and a cream, both containing thermal spring water, has been developed for the management of mild-to-moderate acne, for all skin phototypes studied.

Objectives

To assess the efficacy and local tolerance of a DC routine in mild-to-moderate acne and to visualize the clinical improvement in all skin phototypes.

Methods

In an open-labelled, multicentre clinical study, subjects of any phototype aged above 11 years and above with mild (N = 48, 55.2%) or moderate (N = 39, 44.8%) facial acne applied the DC twice daily for 56 days. No other acne care was allowed. Acne severity, as well as inflammatory and noninflammatory lesion counts, were assessed at baseline, Days 28 and 56. Photographs were taken using a novel imaging tool based on multimodal acquisition, to show clinical improvement over time.

Results

Eighty-seven subjects, 41 adults and 46 adolescents, were included; 59.8% were female and were aged between 11 and 44 years. The total acne lesion count decreased by 34%, the noninflammatory lesion count by 28%, and the inflammatory lesion count by 52% at Day 56. All % changes were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The GEA score decreased, with 25% of subjects showing at least a one-grade improvement at Day 28 and 59% at Day 56. Local tolerance was excellent.

Conclusions

The tested DC care is beneficial for the improvement of acne and is very well tolerated in all skin phototypes studied.