Efficacy and safety of a facial serum and a mask containing salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid in acne management: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions constitute a significant clinical challenge in acne subjects.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a facial serum and a mask containing salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid for improving skin conditions.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial included adults with comedones, post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) and/or hyperpigmentation (PIH) in Shanghai, China in July 2021. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive the study Serum + Mask or serum alone for 8 weeks. Acne severity, comedones, papules, pustules, PIE, PIH, skin pores, skin tone evenness, sebum secretion, skin hydration, and trans-epidermal water loss were evaluated at T0d, T1d, T7d, T14d, T28d, and T56d.

Results: Eighty-three participants were included, including 41 and 42 in the Serum + Mask and Serum groups, respectively. Acne severity, density of skin pores, skin tone evenness, PIH foci on face, PIE foci on nose, intensity of PIE and PIH, closed comedones on face, open comedones on nose, sebum secretion, and skin hydration were significantly improved from baseline after 8 weeks of treatment in both groups (all p < 0.05). Addition of the mask improved the number of closed comedones (-6.56 ± 0.39 vs. -5.19 ± 0.44, p = 0.022) and acne severity (-0.39 ± 0.08 vs. -0.12 ± 0.09, p = 0.026) substantially more than using the serum alone. No adverse reaction was reported in either group.

Conclusions: The study serum improved skin conditions by regulating skin barrier function and achieving a balance of skin hydration and sebum secretion, removing comedones and improving PIE and PIH. Addition of the mask accelerated the effects without compromising safety.

Keywords: acne vulgaris; comedones; lipohydroxy acid; salicylic acid; skin barrier.