title: Clinical inquiries. What is the best treatment for mild to moderate acne?
abstract: 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).
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Southwestern Family Practice Residency, Dallas, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Shobha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Mehreen A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wilder
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mott
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D012176:Retinoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D012176:Retinoids; D002981:Clindamycin; D004917:Erythromycin; D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide