Topical treatment for acne

Introduction

Topical treatment for acne is available as washes, solutions, lotions, gels and creams. They may have a single or multiple active ingredients. There are numerous products available in supermarkets and pharmacies. Some require a doctor's prescription.

Active ingredients may have one or more of the following properties

• Antibiotics and antiseptics to reduce counts of *Cutibacterium acnes (P. acnes) *bacteria
• Anti-inflammatory effects to calm red, inflamed skin by inhibiting lipase production by C.acnes
• Antioxidants to protect cells from damage by free radicals
• Comedolytics to unplug blocked follicles (comedones)
• Keratolytics to peel off surface scale (exfoliants)
• Agents that affect keratinisation; these normalise skin cell maturation
• Androgen receptor inhibitor

Ingredient and properties

Approved datasheets are the official source of information for medicines, including approved uses, doses, and safety information. Check the individual datasheet in your country for information about medicines.

We suggest you refer to your national drug approval agency such as the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), UK Medicines and Healthcare products regulatory agency (MHRA) / emc, and NZ Medsafe, or a national or state-approved formulary eg, the New Zealand Formulary (NZF) and New Zealand Formulary for Children (NZFC) and the British National Formulary (BNF) and British National Formulary for Children (BNFC).