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
Ingredient | Properties |
---|---|
adapalene | topical retinoid: keratolytic |
alpha hydroxy acid (fruit acids) | keratolytic |
azelaic acid | antiseptic, keratolytic, comedolytic, anti-inflammatory |
bentonite | clay used to absorb excess sebum |
benzoyl peroxide | antiseptic, keratolytic |
cetrimide | antiseptic |
chlorhexidine | antiseptic |
clascoterone | androgen receptor inhibitor |
clindamycin | antibiotic |
erythromycin | antibiotic |
green tea | anti-inflammatory |
hydrogen peroxide | antiseptic |
immune defense proteins | antibacterial, anti-inflammatory |
isotretinoin | retinoid |
methyl salicylate | keratolytic, anti-inflammatory |
nicotinamide | reduces sebum, anti-inflammatory |
retinol | retinoid |
resorcinol | antiseptic, keratolytic |
retinoid | retinoids affect keratinisation and are keratolytic |
salicylic acid | comedolytic, keratolytic and anti-inflammatory |
sulfacetamide | antiseptic |
sulfur | antiseptic, keratolytic |
tea tree oil | antiseptic |
tezarotene | topical retinoid |
tretinoin | topical retinoid |
trifarotene | topical retinoid |
vitamin A | alternative name for retinol |
zinc | anti-inflammatory |