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. 2016 Aug 19;6(4):555–578. doi: 10.1007/s13555-016-0138-1

Table 1.

Mechanism of action of topical products for the treatment of acne vulgaris

Dosage form/strength Primary mechanism of action Comedonal Inflammatory
Monotherapy
Adapalene

Cream, gel or lotion: 0.1%

Gel: 0.3%

 Anti-inflammatory, keratolytic X X
Tazarotene

Cream or gel: 0.05%, 0.1%

Foam: 0.1%

 Anti-inflammatory, keratolytic X X
Tretinoin

Cream: 0.02%, 0.025%, 0.0375%, 0.05%, 0.075%, 0.1%

Gel: 0.01%, 0.025%, 0.04%, 0.05%, 0.1%

Microsphere gel: 0.04%, 0.08%, 0.1%

 Anti-inflammatory, keratolytic X X
Benzoyl peroxide Gel, cream, lotion, pads or wash: 2.5–10% Antimicrobial X X
Azelaic acid

Cream: 20%

Foam or gel: 15%

 Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, keratolytic X X
Primary mechanism of action Comedonal Inflammatory
Combination treatment
Clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide Antimicrobial X X
Clindamycin/tretinoin Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, keratolytic X X
Clindamycin/adapalene Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, keratolytic X X
Clindamycin/salicylic acid Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, desquamation X X
Dapsone/adapalene Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, keratolytic X X
Dapsone/benzoyl peroxide Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory X X
Erythromycin/zinc acetate Antimicrobial X
Erythromycin/benzoyl peroxide Antimicrobial X X
Erythromycin/tretinoin Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, keratolytic X X
Adapalene/benzoyl peroxide Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, keratolytic X X
Zinc pyrrolidone/seaweed-derived oligosaccharide Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory X X