INTRODUCTION
Acne vulgaris is a common inflammatory skin condition characterized by non-inflammatory lesions (comedones), and inflammatory lesions (papules, pustules, nodules). This condition is most prevalent among adolescents, but often progresses into adulthood, and significantly impacts the quality of life. The four main pathogenic factors associated with the development of acne include excess sebum production, the presence of C. acnes bacteria on the skin, follicular hyperkeratinization, and inflammation. Emerging evidence also underscores the role of skin barrier dysfunction in acne pathogenesis.1 Acne-prone skin typically exhibits impaired barrier function (eg, increased transepidermal water loss), with decreased levels of free sphingosine and total ceramides indicating a deficient intercellular lipid membrane.2,3 In addition to this endogenous barrier disruption, there is also exogenous barrier disruption due to harsh prescription or over-the-counter skincare treatments and stripping cleansers that can further exacerbate the disrupted barrier.4 Therefore, it is important to avoid additional barrier disruption by selecting appropriate products that respect the barrier.
Treatment options like salicylic acid (SA) offer exfoliating, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and sebum-reducing benefits.5,6 While SA is available in different forms, SA in cleansers provides a more patient-preferred and simplified full-face and body treatment regimens, however, when combined with harsh surfactants commonly found in lathering cleansers, SA can exacerbate skin barrier disruption, causing irritation, leading to poor compliance.7,8 SA is also known to have lower water solubility, resulting in difficulties to formulate with as well as limiting permeability into skin when used topically.9
Polymeric cleansing technologies (PCTs) have been shown to effectively cleanse while maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier.10 However, incorporating SA into PCT formulations presents challenges due to its requirement for a low pH.11
A potential solution to this challenge is the use of sodium hydrolyzed potato starch dodecenylsuccinate (SHPSD), a polymeric surfactant that delivers mild cleansing with a patient-preferred foaming aesthetic.12,13 Furthermore, the incorporation
Treatment options like salicylic acid (SA) offer exfoliating, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and sebum-reducing benefits.5,6 While SA is available in different forms, SA in cleansers provides a more patient-preferred and simplified full-face and body treatment regimens, however, when combined with harsh surfactants commonly found in lathering cleansers, SA can exacerbate skin barrier disruption, causing irritation, leading to poor compliance.7,8 SA is also known to have lower water solubility, resulting in difficulties to formulate with as well as limiting permeability into skin when used topically.9
Polymeric cleansing technologies (PCTs) have been shown to effectively cleanse while maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier.10 However, incorporating SA into PCT formulations presents challenges due to its requirement for a low pH.11
A potential solution to this challenge is the use of sodium hydrolyzed potato starch dodecenylsuccinate (SHPSD), a polymeric surfactant that delivers mild cleansing with a patient-preferred foaming aesthetic.12,13 Furthermore, the incorporation
