Clinical inquiries. What is the best treatment for mild to moderate acne?

Author(s): Rao S, Malik MA, Wilder L, Mott T

Affiliation(s): University of Texas Southwestern Family Practice Residency, Dallas, TX, USA.

Publication date & source: 2006-11, J Fam Pract., 55(11):994-6.

Publication type: Review

For mild comedonal acne, monotherapy with topical retinoids is the treatment of choice (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A). For moderate comedonal and mild to moderate papulopustular acne, combination therapy with either benzoyl peroxide or topical retinoids (adapalene [Differin], tazarotene [Tazorac], tretinoin [Retin-A]) plus topical antibiotics (erythromycin or clindamycin) is proven most effective (SOR: A). Six to 8 weeks should be allowed for most treatments to work before altering the regimen (SOR: A).