Acne affects roughly 50 million people in the US each year, with breakouts ranging from blackheads and whiteheads to painful cysts. Standard treatments include retinoids, antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, and isotretinoin for severe cases. Research now focuses on alternatives to antibiotics, new anti-inflammatory approaches, and treatments that address the skin microbiome.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing topical drugs that block specific inflammatory pathways, new retinoid formulations with fewer side effects, and treatments targeting bacteria without antibiotics. Researchers are also studying the skin microbiome to understand why some people develop acne and others don't, and testing probiotics and bacteriophage therapies.
Microbiome-targeted treatments
Studies are testing live bacteria that compete with acne-causing organisms, and bacteriophages that kill harmful bacteria while leaving helpful ones alone. Early data suggest these approaches may work without the resistance problems that antibiotics create.
IL-17 and IL-23 blockers
Drugs already approved for psoriasis are being tested in acne, targeting inflammation without antibiotics. These injections or pills might offer an alternative for people with severe acne who can't tolerate isotretinoin.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on acne severity (mild, moderate, or severe), prior treatments tried, and whether hormonal factors or scarring are present.
What types of trials are currently open
- Topical treatment trials — Testing new creams, gels, or foams that reduce inflammation or kill bacteria, often compared to standard treatments like adapalene or benzoyl peroxide.
- Oral medication trials — Testing pills that target inflammation or hormones involved in acne, aiming to match the effectiveness of isotretinoin with fewer side effects.
- Microbiome trials — Testing probiotics, bacteriophages, or other treatments that change the balance of bacteria on the skin.
- Device trials — Testing lasers, light therapy, or other devices that reduce acne inflammation or bacterial counts.
- Natural history studies — Following people with acne over time to understand what drives severity, scarring, and response to treatment.
Recently added Acne trials
Complete tests to explore the connection between acne and metabolic ovarian syndrome
The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) among female patients diagnosed with acne vulgaris in Sohag university hospital
Donate blood samples to help predict your acne treatment success
Acne vulgaris is a common dermatological condition in adult women, often influenced by hormonal factors. Androgens such as dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) can stimulate sebaceous gland activity, while gonadotropins (FSH and LH) reflect ovarian and hypothalamic-pituitary axis function. Although systemic isotretinoin is highly effective in severe or treatment-resistant acne, variability in treatment response has been observed among female patients. The role of baseline hormonal levels in predicting isotretinoin response remains unclear. Identifying hormonal predictors of treatment response may improve patient stratification and personalized management. Aim of the study is to evaluate whether baseline serum levels of DHEAS, FSH, and LH are associated with clinical response to systemic isotretinoin in women aged 18 years and older with acne vulgaris.
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