The Use of Acneceuticals to Improve Acne Care: Introduction of a New Term and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND

Acne is a multifactorial inflammatory skin condition that commonly presents to the dermatology clinic. Treatment generally involves the use of pharmaceutical agents and procedural techniques. Recently, the importance of over-the-counter skin care in acne has been recognized in many studies. This paper introduces the term acneceuticals to encompass a wide range of FDA- monographed, yet non-prescription ingredients proven to alter the structure and function of acneic skin.

METHODS

A panel of 8 dermatologists with an interest in acne and skin care performed a literature review of active skin care in acne. The role of acneceuticals in the treatment of acne - as monotherapy, adjunctive, and maintenance therapy - was evaluated using a modified Delphi approach. Studies were limited to in vivo human trials involving acne. Individual actives were assessed separately.

RESULTS

The quality of evidence was moderate-to-low for many of the ingredients. Most of the actives included in the final assessment had been studied in vehicle-controlled, blinded, often comparative studies but enrolled a small number of subjects. In these studies, the acneceuticals were found to reduce lesion count, reduce sebum production, and improve efficacy of existing pharmacologic therapies.

CONCLUSION

Acneceuticals have demonstrated benefits in treating acne, alone or in conjunction with established pharmaceutical agents. These data allow us to make quality recommendations for our patients that should be a part of every patient encounter. The recommendations also serve as a guide for patients searching the internet for beneficial self-care products. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(3):281-288. doi:10.36849/JDD.8817.