title: Novel retinoid ester in combination with salicylic acid for the treatment of acne.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Retinoids (RC), alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA), and salicylic acid (BHA) treat acne through differing mechanisms of action. It is theorized that optimal improvement can be achieved by combining the RC-induced normalization of cellular differentiation, AHA-induced exfoliation in hydrophilic areas, and BHA-induced exfoliation in lipophilic areas. AHA and RC have been combined in a bioengineered molecule (AHA retinoid conjugate, or AHA-RC) delivering both lactic acid (AHA) and RC in a manner reducing retinoid-associated irritation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate efficacy and tolerability of a twice-daily, three-product skincare regimen using AHA-RC in combination with BHA for patients with acne.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 27 women (age range 20-58 years, mean 37.81 ± 10.04 years) with mild-to-moderate acne used a 3-product regimen consisting of a twice-daily cleanser and topical serum (0.1% AHA-RC, 2% salicylic acid, and 10.4% l-lactic acid), with broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen as needed, over an 8-week period. Counts were made at baseline, week 4, and week 8 of total inflammatory (papules, pustules) and noninflammatory (open comedones, closed comedones) lesions. Dryness, stinging, and other secondary endpoints were rated on a 0-5 scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant reduction in inflammatory and noninflammatory lesion counts (P = 0.006 and P = 0.015, respectively) was noted at 4 weeks. Improvement continued into week 8 with highly significant (P < 0.001) reductions in both lesion counts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The topical combination of lactic acid, SA, and AHA-RC produced acne improvement after 4 weeks with continuing cumulative improvement at 8 weeks. AHA-RC represents a new molecule combining several mechanisms of action to achieve acne improvement.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Consulting Services, High Point, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Zoe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Draelos
authors.affiliation: US CosmeceuTechs, LLC, Richmond, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: US CosmeceuTechs, LLC, Richmond, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McHugh
authors.affiliation: Elizabeth Arden, Inc., New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pellegrino
authors.affiliation: Elizabeth Arden, Inc., New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Lavinia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Popescu
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003902:Detergents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020156:Salicylic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D003902:Detergents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D013473:Sunscreening Agents; D019344:Lactic Acid; D014212:Tretinoin; D020156:Salicylic Acid
keywords: AHA; AHA retinoid conjugate; acne; acne treatment; ethyl lactyl retinoate; lactic acid; retinoid; salicylic acid