Topical treatment for acne

Author: Hon Assoc Prof Amanda Oakley, Dermatologist, Hamilton, New Zealand, 2009.

Synonyms:

Topical acne treatments

Categories:

Treatment or procedure

Subcategories:

Acne washes, Treatment of acne with solutions, lotions, gels and creams, Topical antibiotics, Topical antiseptics, Topical anti-inflammatories, Topical antioxidants, Topical comedolytics, Topical keratolytics, Topical retinoids, Sebum reduction

ICD-10:

L70

ICD-11:

ED80.Z

SNOMED CT:

280906005, 773904005, 6064005, 448598008, 11685009, 255631004, 261276004, 330901000

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

Ingredient and properties

Ingredient	Properties
adapalene	topical retinoid: keratolytic
alpha hydroxy acid (fruit acids)	keratolytic
azelaic acid	antiseptic, keratolytic
bentonite	clay used to absorb excess sebum
benzoyl peroxide	antiseptic, keratolytic
cetrimide	antiseptic
chlorhexidine	antiseptic
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

New Zealand approved datasheets are the official source of information for these prescription medicines, including approved uses and risk information. Check the individual New Zealand datasheet on the Medsafe website.

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Related information

On DermNet NZ

Other websites

Consumer medicine information and data sheets — Medsafe
Drugs, Herbs and Supplements — MedlinePlus

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