
Acneceuticals: A New Era in Acne Care?
Pharmaceuticals and procedures have long been the backbone of acne treatment, but over-the-counter skincare is playing an increasingly recognized role. This new paper published in JDD introduces the term “acneceuticals”—a category of FDA-monographed, non-prescription ingredients shown to impact acne-prone skin.
A panel of dermatologists conducted a comprehensive review of active ingredients like linoleic acid, niacinamide/nicotinamide, clay, and cannabidiol to name a few, evaluating their role as monotherapy, adjunctive, and maintenance treatments. While the quality of evidence varied, findings suggest that certain acneceuticals may reduce lesion count, decrease sebum production, and enhance pharmacologic therapies.
How can these insights shape patient recommendations and self-care choices?