# Rapid, Strong, and Visible Efficacy of a Dermocosmetic in Acne Patients With Dark Skin Phototypes: Results of a Randomized Split‐Face Study

## TL;DR

A dermocosmetic cream significantly improved acne and hyperpigmentation in dark-skinned individuals within 11 days, with high satisfaction and good tolerance.

## Contribution

Demonstrates rapid efficacy of a dermocosmetic cream for acne and hyperpigmentation in darker skin tones through a split-face study.

## Key findings

- Total lesion count decreased significantly by 44.9% on the treated side after 57 days.
- Acne-induced hyperpigmentation (AIH) improved significantly within 11 days of treatment.
- Subjects reported high satisfaction and excellent tolerability of the dermocosmetic cream.

## Abstract

Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that can cause acne‐induced hyperpigmentation (AIH), especially in subjects with phototype IV and above (hereafter darker skin tones).

This study evaluated the efficcay kinetics of a dermocosmetic cream (DC cream) in adults with darker skin phototypes and mild to moderate acne.

An intra‐individual, randomized, split face, single centre 57 day‐study was conducted in 16 adults with dark skin tones (phototype IV, V and VI) and mild‐to‐moderate acne. DC cream was applied 2/day on one hemiface. Assessments included total, inflammatory and non‐inflammatory lesion counts, AIH intensity and darkness severity, PAHPI score and local tolerance. Subjects rated the perceived benefits of DC cream.

75% of subjects were women, mean age was 26.8 ± 6.7 years; 50% had phototype IV, 31.2% phototype V, and 18.8% phototype VI. 68.8% had mild (GEA 2) and 31.2% moderate (GEA 3) acne.

The total lesion count significantly decreased from Day 5 (−17.1%; p < 0.05) until Day 57 (−44.9%; p < 0.01) on the DC‐treated side versus 
− 28.4% on the untreated side at Day 57. Inflammatory and non‐inflammatory lesion counts significantly (p < 0.01) decreased from Day 11 to Day 57 with DC cream. AIH marks intensity significantly (p < 0.01) decreased starting Day 11 until Day 57; as did the PAHPI score (−22.7%) after 57 days with hemi‐face differences being significantly (p < 0.05) in favor of DC cream. AIH darkness severity significantly improved with DC cream, with no changes on the untreated side. DC cream was highly appreciated and very well tolerated by the subjects.

This clinical study provides strong evidence on the efficacy kinetics of a DC cream in acne management in subjects with dark skin tones. It shows that early, daily and specific treatment with a targeted DC significantly improves all acne lesions type, as well as AIH marks as soon as 11 days of use, in addition to exhibiting high patient satisfaction rates and excellent tolerability.