title: Significant improvement in mild acne following a twice daily application for 6 weeks of an acidic cleansing product (pH 4).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cleansing products for acne should remove excessive sebum, reduce acne-related bacteria and improve inflammation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to investigate a topical cleansing product containing glycolic acid with pH 4 in mild acne vulgaris.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty patients were recruited for this open uncontrolled clinical trial. The tested product was exclusively applied twice a day for 6 weeks. The efficacy was judged by a dermatologist according to the Leeds score after 3 and 6 weeks. In addition, efficacy and tolerability were judged subjectively by physician and patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mild acne improved significantly after 6 weeks (baseline: 0.699 vs. day 42: 0.602; P < 0.001). Efficacy and tolerability were judged better by physician as compared with patients' assessment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this clinical trial, a topical cleansing product containing glycolic acid with pH 4 improved mild acne significantly following twice-daily application for 6 weeks as monotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Dr. August Wolff GmbH & Co. KG Arzneimittel, Bielefeld, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Abels
authors.forename: Hubert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Reich
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Knie
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Werdier
authors.forename: Gunter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lemmnitz
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003902:Detergents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006016:Glycolates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003902:Detergents; D006016:Glycolates; C031149:glycolic acid
keywords: AHA; P. acnes; acne vulgaris; antibacterial; clinical trial; glycolic acid