The Many Faces of Pediatric Acne: How to Tailor Nonprescription Acne Treatment and Skincare Using Cleansers and Moisturizers

June 2022 | Volume 21 | Issue 6 | 602 | Copyright © June 2022


Published online May 31, 2022

Lawrence A. Schachner MD FAAD FAAPa, Anneke Andriessen PhDb, Latanya Benjamin MD FAAD FAAPc, Madelyn Dones MDd, Leon H. Kircik MD FAADe, Ayleen Pinera-Llano MDf, Linda Keller MDg, Adelaide A. Hebert MD FAADh

aDivision of Pediatric Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Department of Pediatrics, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, FL
bRadboud UMC, Nijmegen and Andriessen Consultants, Malden, The Netherlands
cAssociate Professor of Pediatric Dermatology, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
dBaptist Health Hospital, Nicklaus Childrens’ Hospital, Miami, FL
eIchan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY; Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN; Physicians Skin Care, PLLC, Louisville, KY; DermResearch, PLLC, Louisville, KY; Skin Sciences, PLLC, Louisville, KY
fKing Bay Pediatrics, Miami, FL; General Pediatrics, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL
gBaptist Health Baptist Hospital, Baptist Health South Miami Hospital, Miami, FL
hDepartment of Dermatology and Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX; Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX



considered safe and frequently recommended (Table 2).5,6

The FDA has issued a monograph for topical acne over-thecounter (OTC) drug products that dictate the required active ingredients, levels, and labeling and allowed claims for these products that manage acne. However, the monograph does not distinguish between types, the severity of acne, nor age (children versus adults) regarding actives or claims.

Skincare with gentle cleansers and moisturizers
Skincare products using cleansers and moisturizers should be suitable for acne-prone and oily skin. These cleansers and moisturizers are non-comedogenic and complement acne treatments offering benefits such as gentle cleansing, hydration, and promoting a healthy barrier. Daily use of fragrance-free, non‐irritating, and non‐comedogenic cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreen may reduce skin dryness, erythema, and photosensitivity resulting from topical or oral drugs.5,6,14 Using the appropriate skincare helps to minimize irritation and inflammation.5,6 The skincare regimen should be an essential part of the acne prevention, treatment, and maintenance care regimen (Box 3).5,6,14