Study Evaluates Combined Acne Treatment Approaches

Research Overview

A recent study investigated the effectiveness of combining skin care products, specifically cleansers and moisturizers, with benzoyl peroxide for acne treatment. Researchers from Germany and France aimed to assess participant satisfaction regarding their acne status after using a 5% benzoyl peroxide gel, alongside a liquid cleanser and a moisturizer with SPF 30.

The findings, published in the *Journal of Dermatological Treatment*, involved fifty participants aged 12 and older, all experiencing mild to moderate facial acne. Over a 12-week period, participants applied the 5% benzoyl peroxide gel once daily, used the liquid cleanser twice daily, and applied the moisturizer with SPF 30 once daily.

The study evaluated several factors, including a subject satisfaction questionnaire, a global improvement assessment by a practitioner, lesion counts, the presence of acne-causing bacteria, and safety throughout the study duration.

Understanding Acne

Acne is a chronic skin condition that affects approximately 80% of adolescents and young adults. It is primarily caused by hormonal changes that increase oil production in pores, leading to clogged hair follicles. This process disrupts the skin barrier and can promote the growth of *Propionibacterium acnes*, the bacteria responsible for acne, as well as contribute to chronic inflammation. In addition to physical scarring and infection risks, acne can significantly impact patients’ quality of life and self-esteem.

Effective Acne Treatments

Benzoyl peroxide is widely recognized as one of the most effective and safest topical treatments for acne. Over the past 60 years, research has shown its ability to quickly reduce acne-causing bacteria without leading to bacterial resistance. However, a common drawback of benzoyl peroxide is its potential to cause skin irritation and damage to the skin barrier, which often discourages prolonged use.

Many people discontinue benzoyl peroxide treatment due to side effects and a lack of understanding regarding acne and its management.

Innovative Approach in the Study

This study uniquely focused on combining benzoyl peroxide with skin care products to mitigate side effects and discomfort, enhancing patient adherence to treatment. Results indicated that a significant majority (87%) of participants were satisfied with the combined regimen, with 94% reporting improvements in self-esteem.

Participants specifically noted that the skin care products effectively prepared their skin for treatment (85%), alleviated itchiness (81%), and minimized irritation (87%). Consequently, most participants identified the liquid cleanser (80%) and moisturizer with SPF 30 (84%) as essential components of their acne treatment plan, rather than relying solely on benzoyl peroxide.

Furthermore, the inclusion of benzoyl peroxide led to an impressive 89% reduction in acne-causing bacteria within just one week of the well-tolerated treatment.

Conclusion of the Study

The study concluded that the combination of 5% benzoyl peroxide gel with a liquid cleanser and moisturizer containing SPF 30 not only effectively treats acne but also results in high levels of participant satisfaction and good tolerability. This suggests that the combined treatment regimen is preferable to using benzoyl peroxide alone.

Written by Tatsiana Verstak, M.S., B.S.

Reference

Mi-Ran Kim & Nabil Kerrouche (2018). Combination of benzoyl peroxide 5% gel with liquid cleanser and moisturizer SPF 30 in acne treatment results in high levels of subject satisfaction, good adherence, and favorable tolerability. *Journal of Dermatological Treatment*, 29(1), 49-54. DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2017.1342758

Image Credit

Image by Kjerstin Michaela Haraldsen from Pixabay.