INTRODUCTION
Acne, a widespread chronic inflammatory condition targeting the pilosebaceous units, stands as the most common skin disorder in the United States, affecting around 50 million Americans.1 The management of acne involves a combination of over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications, advocating for a multi-pronged approach that targets various aspects of acne development. Such combination therapy is advised for most patients due to its effectiveness.2,3
Despite their effectiveness, these treatments come with drawbacks, such as the potential to cause dryness, irritation, burning, stinging, and erythema, all of which could considerably deter patients from adhering to their prescribed treatment plans.2,4 Indeed, studies show that only half of the patients stick to their acne therapy routines,5 and the rising issue of bacterial resistance further complicates the long-term success of traditional acne medications.6
This scenario underscores the urgent need for effective, adjunctive OTC products that complement standard acne treatments, especially as access to prescription options becomes more restricted due to high insurance co-pays and limited coverage. The importance of such products is magnified by traditional treatments' propensity to compromise the skin barrier, causing increased water loss and inflammation.7 Adopting a skincare routine that includes a gentle, effective moisturizer from the treatment's start is recommended to alleviate the drying and irritation often associated with acne treatments, thereby preserving the skin barrier and improving the treatment journey.8
Despite the crucial role of moisturizers, it's concerning that nearly 90% of the best-selling OTC moisturizers contain allergens,9 highlighting a significant concern for consumers. Moreover, the influx of new products, partly fueled by social media influencers10,11 and a shift towards non-physician clinics,12 has eroded trust in existing acne solutions. Many products feature ingredients with questionable efficacy,13 leaving consumers seeking dependable, tolerable, and effective treatments.
This situation, coupled with the growing preference for OTC acne solutions due to their convenience and cost-effectiveness,13 underscores the necessity for new products to establish a strong reputation grounded in clinical proof and patient feedback.
This study aimed to evaluate if the use of an OTC anti-inflammatory moisturizer (Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream) could alleviate the adverse skin reactions from a standard dermatologist-recommended acne treatment over 6 weeks in individuals with mild to moderate acne. It also examined the role of a salicylic acid-containing cleansing wash (Skinfix 2% BHA Cleanser) and spot treatment (Skinfix
Despite their effectiveness, these treatments come with drawbacks, such as the potential to cause dryness, irritation, burning, stinging, and erythema, all of which could considerably deter patients from adhering to their prescribed treatment plans.2,4 Indeed, studies show that only half of the patients stick to their acne therapy routines,5 and the rising issue of bacterial resistance further complicates the long-term success of traditional acne medications.6
This scenario underscores the urgent need for effective, adjunctive OTC products that complement standard acne treatments, especially as access to prescription options becomes more restricted due to high insurance co-pays and limited coverage. The importance of such products is magnified by traditional treatments' propensity to compromise the skin barrier, causing increased water loss and inflammation.7 Adopting a skincare routine that includes a gentle, effective moisturizer from the treatment's start is recommended to alleviate the drying and irritation often associated with acne treatments, thereby preserving the skin barrier and improving the treatment journey.8
Despite the crucial role of moisturizers, it's concerning that nearly 90% of the best-selling OTC moisturizers contain allergens,9 highlighting a significant concern for consumers. Moreover, the influx of new products, partly fueled by social media influencers10,11 and a shift towards non-physician clinics,12 has eroded trust in existing acne solutions. Many products feature ingredients with questionable efficacy,13 leaving consumers seeking dependable, tolerable, and effective treatments.
This situation, coupled with the growing preference for OTC acne solutions due to their convenience and cost-effectiveness,13 underscores the necessity for new products to establish a strong reputation grounded in clinical proof and patient feedback.
This study aimed to evaluate if the use of an OTC anti-inflammatory moisturizer (Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream) could alleviate the adverse skin reactions from a standard dermatologist-recommended acne treatment over 6 weeks in individuals with mild to moderate acne. It also examined the role of a salicylic acid-containing cleansing wash (Skinfix 2% BHA Cleanser) and spot treatment (Skinfix
