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Skin concern

Skincare while on acne medication

Primary source

Skincare while on acne medication: the skin care that supports people using prescription acne treatment — topical retinoids or oral isotretinoin — where dryness, peeling and irritation are common and moisturizer support is part of tolerating the therapy. The strongest evidence comes from a 2023 human trial covering acne patients using adapalene/benzoyl peroxide gel: In a double-blind randomized controlled trial of acne patients all using adapalene 0.3%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel, adding a ceramide-containing cleanser and facial lotion for 12 weeks yielded significantly lower inflammatory lesion counts than a basic face-wash control, with significantly better TEWL and lower investigator scores for dryness, erythema and scaling. 2 ingredients have evidence for Skincare while on acne medication: Niacinamide, Ceramide NP.

Every study enrolled people using adapalene/benzoyl peroxide or oral isotretinoin and measured moisturiser care alongside treatment: 2024 · 40 people · split-face, double-blind, 8 weeks · PMID 38299457; 2023 · PMID 37276158. Moisturiser care sits alongside the clinician's prescription; diagnosis and prescriptions stay with a clinician.

Where the definition comes from

Source wording

“Oral isotretinoin has demonstrated efficacy for treatment of severe, recalcitrant acne, with reported side effects including mucocutaneous and musculoskeletal effects.” — Reyes-Hadsall et al., Skin Appendage Disord 2024 (PMID 38313565).

Use of Oral Supplements and Topical Adjuvants for Isotretinoin-Associated Side Effects: A Narrative Review. Skin Appendage Disorders (Reyes-Hadsall S)

Ingredients at a glance

2023 · Acne patients using adapalene/benzoyl peroxide gel · PMID 37276158

Ingredient Measured outcome Based on Certainty Year
— Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2023
Niacinamide, Ceramide NP Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2024

Studies and results

  1. 1 Niacinamide Ceramide NP Skin effect
    Efficacy of ceramides and niacinamide-containing moisturizer versus hydrophilic cream in combination with topical anti-acne treatment in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: A split face, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial

    In 40 people with mild-to-moderate acne all using topical benzoyl peroxide plus adapalene, a moisturiser with ceramides and niacinamide significantly improved non-inflammatory, inflammatory and total acne lesions on that side of the face versus a hydrophilic cream after 8 weeks, and decreased cutaneous irritation.

    Human trial · 2024 · 40 people · patients with mild-to-moderate acne, all on topical anti-acne treatment · People on topical anti-acne medication who add a moisturiser alongside treatment, in a split-face, double-blind, randomized design for 8 weeks. · All participants used prescription/OTC anti-acne drugs (5% benzoyl peroxide + 0.1% adapalene). TEWL, hydration, sebum, pH and other biophysical measures stayed close between the two creams. This is adjunctive care.

    PMID 38299457

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Efficacy of ceramides and niacinamide-containing moisturizer versus hydrophilic cream in combination with topical anti-acne treatment in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: A split face, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial

Study limits

Study conditions and measured outcomes.

  • ev-on-medication-ceramide-barrier-rct Human trial · 2023

    Lesion-count numbers or ceramide concentration; the intervention is a cleanser-plus-lotion combination; the background acne drug was used by both groups.

  • Niacinamide, Ceramide NP Human trial · 2024

    All participants used prescription/OTC anti-acne drugs (5% benzoyl peroxide + 0.1% adapalene). TEWL, hydration, sebum, pH and other biophysical measures stayed close between the two creams. This is adjunctive care.

Products with a basis for this

33 products · Acne Control Cleanser · Azelaic Acid 10% + Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum · 2023 · Acne patients using adapalene/benzoyl peroxide gel · PMID 37276158

Research-backed approaches

These studies measured finished products and whole routines.

  1. 1 Skin effect
    Ceramide-Containing Adjunctive Skin Care for Skin Barrier Restoration During Acne Vulgaris Treatment

    In a double-blind randomized controlled trial of acne patients all using adapalene 0.3%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel, adding a ceramide-containing cleanser and facial lotion for 12 weeks yielded significantly lower inflammatory lesion counts than a basic face-wash control, with significantly better TEWL and lower investigator scores for dryness, erythema and scaling.

    Human trial · 2023 · Acne patients using adapalene/benzoyl peroxide gel · Inflammatory lesion counts, TEWL, dryness, erythema and scaling during 12 weeks of acne treatment. · Lesion-count numbers or ceramide concentration; the intervention is a cleanser-plus-lotion combination; the background acne drug was used by both groups.

    PMID 37276158

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Ceramide-Containing Adjunctive Skin Care for Skin Barrier Restoration During Acne Vulgaris Treatment

Common questions

Which ingredients have been studied for Skincare while on acne medication?
Ingredients with evidence for Skincare while on acne medication: Niacinamide, Ceramide NP.
How many people were studied?
2 findings · 2023 · Acne patients using adapalene/benzoyl peroxide gel · PMID 37276158
What can I use for Skincare while on acne medication?
Niacinamide, Ceramide NP · 2023 · Acne patients using adapalene/benzoyl peroxide gel · PMID 37276158
Can I use these alongside other products for Skincare while on acne medication?
People on topical anti-acne medication who add a moisturiser alongside treatment, in a split-face, double-blind, randomized design for 8 weeks（2024 · 40 participants · 40 patients with mild-to-moderate acne, all on topical anti-acne treatment · PMID 38299457）

Other concerns

Acne marks and scars Acne and breakouts Barrier damage Blackheads Bumps and rough texture Closed comedones Combination skin Dark circles Dark spots Skincare for deeper skin tones Dehydrated skin Dryness Dull skin Eczema and atopic dermatitis Hyperpigmentation Large pores Loss of firmness Melasma Skincare for men Oily skin Peeling and flaking Perioral dermatitis Skincare during pregnancy Psoriasis Facial redness Rosacea Sebaceous filaments Sensitive skin Sun damage Sun protection Teenage skin Uneven skin tone Wrinkles and fine lines