A novel European acne formulation combines 6% glycolic acid and 0.1% retinaldehyde. In a study on mild to moderate acne patients, the combination led to “important/very important” global improvement at two months (63). This formulation has been also suggested to prevent post-inflammatory pigmentation (64).
Category: Cosmetic Formulation of Skin Care Products
Botanicals
Although products cannot be sold bearing an anti-acne label unless they contain an OTC approved ingredient, many botanical formulations are marketed towards the acne-prone consumer claiming to “heal,” “purify,” or “cleanse” the skin and pores. Companies promote their proprietary formula of herb extracts, but well-conducted clinical studies are lacking, and therefore it is difficult to […]
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil (TTO) is extracted from the Melaleuca alternifolia and in the past decade has become a popular topical antimicrobial for skin conditions such as tinea pedis and acne. The three major components of TTO responsible for anti-P. acnes activity have been found to be alpha-terpineol < terpinen-4-ol < alpha-pinene (listed in order or […]
Adjunctive Acne Products
A few adjunctive products have been promoted for the treatment of acne. Since these are not sold as OTC drugs, well-controlled studies are usually missing and it is difficult to interpret their true benefit as acne treatments.
Sulfur and Sulfur/Resorcinol Combinations
Sulfur has been used to treat acne for hundreds of years for its peeling and drying actions, and it is found in various washes, soaps, and creams. It is an antifungal and antibacterial agent. Its keratolytic activity is somewhat controversial, with some authors showing even a comedogenic effect (51). It is not fully understood how […]
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide has been one of the most important topical acne agents for a long time. It has a combination of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and comedolytic properties. Benzoyl peroxide can penetrate through the follicular duct deeply into the infundibulum where it then releases oxygen to inactivate anaerobic bacteria that cannot live in its presence, P. acnes […]
ADVANCES IN OVER-THE-COUNTER ACNE FORMULATIONS Salicylic Acid
SA is a keratolytic agent. It is used to treat a variety of hyperkeratotic skin disorders such as psoriasis, ichthyoses, seborrheic dermatitis, palmoplantar keratosis, keratosis pilaris, and pityriasis rubra pilaris (18). In acne, SA may reduce comedones (comedolytic) and prevent the formation of new ones by breaking down the comedonal follicular plug and by reducing […]
TRENDS IN OVER-THE-COUNTER ACNE FORMULATIONS
In the last decade, no new OTC ingredient has been approved for the treatment of acne. However, much research effort has led to the development of better vehicles and delivery forms designed to reduce skin irritation and improve efficacy. The common product forms are gel, lotion, cream, and cleanser. In addition, other delivery methods have […]
FORMULATION OF OVER-THE-COUNTER ACNE PRODUCTS
Manufacturing of OTC acne products is both a science and an art. An OTC acne product must abide by the rules and regulations set in the Acne Monograph in the choice of an allowed active ingredient or combination of active ingredients and the allowable concentration ranges. Amongst the approved OTC acne ingredients, BPO and SA […]