With Julie C. Harper, MD

In each issue, Practical Dermatology® magazine spotlights a new device or over-the-counter or prescription medication that dermatologists are recommending to patients. This month, Julie Harper, MD, a dermatologist in Birmingham, Alabama, shares her enthusiasm for Galderma’s Aklief (trifarotene) Cream 0.005%, the first retinoid molecule to be approved by the FDA in 20-plus years for the once-daily topical treatment of facial and truncal acne.

What is Aklief and how long have you been prescribing it to patients?

Julie C. Harper, MD: Aklief (trifarotene) Cream 0.005% is the only topical retinoid that specifically targets retinoic acid receptor gamma (RAR-gamma), the most common retinoic acid receptor found in the skin and the first topical treatment specifically studied and proven safe and effective to treat both facial and truncal (chest, shoulders and back) acne. I’ve been prescribing it to my patients since early this year.

How do you suggest acne patients use Aklief?

Dr. Harper: I frequently recommend applying retinoids at night, and this holds true for Aklief Cream, which is indicated for use once daily. In the evening, after cleansing and gently drying the skin, patients should apply a thin layer of Aklief Cream to the affected areas of the face and/or trunk. One pump is enough to cover the face, while two pumps will cover the shoulders and chest. An additional pump should be used to apply the product to the middle and lower back, if acne is present. Contact with the eyes, lips, mouth, and the corners of the nose should be avoided, as with any topical retinoid.

What have the clinical studies of Aklief shown?

Dr. Harper: The clinical trial results showed that Aklief Cream significantly reduces inflammatory lesions as early as two weeks on the face and four weeks on the back, shoulders and chest. Aklief Cream was also well tolerated when used on the face, back, shoulders, and chest. In my experience prescribing the treatment, my patients have started to see clearer skin on the face and trunk in just a few weeks, but perhaps more importantly, they’ve reported major quality of life improvements as a result of having clearer skin. They can focus on doing the things they love when they no longer have to focus on their acne.

How does Aklief compare with other retinoids in terms of safety and efficacy?

Dr. Harper: While other retinoids for the treatment of acne have been studied on the face only, Aklief Cream is the first topical treatment specifically studied and proven safe and effective for the treatment of both facial and truncal acne. It’s also the only treatment containing trifarotene, a fourth generation retinoid molecule that’s highly selective, targeting RAR-gamma. Aklief Cream is potent and effective at low doses and has a favorable tolerability profile.

Which acne patients are best candidates for Aklief? Any contraindications?

Dr. Harper: Aklief Cream was approved for use in acne patients 9 years of age and older. While Aklief Cream is suitable for a broad range of patients, I’ve seen great success with young adult women in particular. Adult onset acne is on the rise, particularly in young women, and Aklief Cream is easy to use and a cosmetically elegant formulation, which is particularly desirable for this group as it fits seamlessly into a daily skincare routine.

New Products

The Rejuveness Collection, Pond’s

Pond’s is expanding its portfolio with a new Rejuveness Collection. The range offers high quality, affordable anti-aging products with retinol. It is the first product range for the brand and Unilever’s mass brands in the US to include retinol. Retinol products tend to have high price points—Pond’s says it is offering an attainable option at a value price point for all women looking to care for their skin and help address signs of aging. The entire collection includes a Lifting & Brightening Eye Cream, Skin Tightening Serum and Advanced Hydrating Night Cream. Each product within the Rejuveness Collection will be available at $7.99. Each of the products included within this range is formulated with Retinol Complex and Vitamin B3 to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier, help firm skin, and help with the look of wrinkles. Unileverusa.com

Micro Peel At-Home Kit, PCA Skin

PCA Skin is expanding its peel offerings with the launch of a new Micro Peel At-Home Kit. This new and exclusive kit takes at-home treatments to the next level with the brand’s professional-grade Enzymatic Treatment and custom protocol to dramatically brighten and rejuvenate all skin types.The pandemic has challenged skin care professionals in many ways, one of the biggest being limiting patients from visiting professionals’ offices at all or as often. As a trusted partner to these skincare professionals for over 30 years, PCA SKIN developed the Micro Peel At-Home Kit to support them and their patients alike. This kit allows consumers to bring corrective care into their homes to improve skin health, advance their results in between professional treatments or even introduce new patients to professional-grade treatments. The advanced treatment protocol combines corrective daily care products with PCA SKIN’s professional-grade Enzymatic Treatment to deeply purify the pores and immediately brighten skin. Additional benefits include strengthening and smoothing skin texture, preventing and improving signs of aging and reducing discoloration. pcaskin.com

Café Dulce Cleansing Scrub, Revision Skincare

Revision Skincare has introduced a new limited-edition Café Dulce Cleansing Scrub. This 3-in-1 scrub gently exfoliates, cleanses and hydrates, revealing a healthy glow and skin that is silky-smooth, purified, and moisturized According to Revision, the formula instantly gives skin a luminous, healthy glow along with delivering essential moisture for silky-smooth, nourished skin. The exfoliating properties cleanse and purify skin by removing impurities and excess oil.

Ingredients like coffee seed powder and cocoa shell powder gently buff away dullness to reveal brighter-looking skin. The coffee-scented scrub is formulated to be gentle and effective for all skin types and the replenishing blend containing glycerin is a humectant that attracts replenishing moisture to hydrate the skin. Revisionskincare.com

Canopy Humidifier, Canopy

Canopy is a completely reimagined humidifier that promotes healthy, glowing skin and relieves symptoms of cold and flu without the hassles of traditional humidifiers, its maker says. Designed with proprietary technology for clean, filtered moisture, Canopy is the always-on solution for the ultimate skincare and wellness routine. Canopy is the only humidifier recommended by a leading dermatologist and combats dryness, redness, sensitivity, dullness, roughness, and fine lines and wrinkles. It provides hydration for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone, promotes skin barrier health by protecting from bacteria and pollution, and improves absorption of topical skincare. The company says it also combats accelerated overnight water loss, helps relieve symptoms of eczema and psoriasis, and helps hydrate lips and soften hair. Getcanopy.co

Reef-Safe Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen, Cleure

Cleure is expanding its product line with the launch of a new Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen. Formulated with non-micronized Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide, and without fragrance, parabens, and oxybenzone, this sunscreen is an optimal choice for those with skin sensitivities and/or allergies. This natural, mineral sunscreen is formulated to protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of 30 and give a boost of moisture. It is easily absorbed into the skin and doesn’t clog pores or leave a whitecast. Cleure Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen is also free of salicylates, synthetic dyes, parabens, gluten, and alcohol, and is reef-safe (contains no ingredients that are toxic to coral reefs). Made in the USA with locally sourced ingredients, all Cleure products are cruelty-free, never tested on animals, and packaged in recyclable plastics. Cleure.com

Get to Know Rachel Brosnahan, the Face of Cetaphil

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel talks skincare with Practical Dermatology® magazine.

On the Amazon Prime series “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” Midge Maisel, a housewife-turned-comedian, spends an awful lot of time putting on her face—even if it’s just to go to bed.

Mrs. Maisel, played by the Emmy Award-winner Rachel Brosnahan, has an extensive nightly beauty routine that includes applying fresh makeup to look beautiful as her husband drifts off to sleep, and removing it and applying a face mask and pinning her curls up after he nods off. She then wakes before her husband to remove the cold cream and curlers, apply a face full of makeup and gets right back under the covers.

That’s not the case for Ms. Brosnahan, who is the face of Galderma’s Cetaphil skincare line for the second year in a row. As part of Cetaphil’s new digital campaign, Ms. Brosnahan shares her product picks and helps others find Cetaphil products that will perform well for their sensitive skin.

“I am a less is more kind of gal, and Midge is a more is more kind of gal,” Ms. Brosnahan tells Practical Dermatology® magazine.

She takes her make up off as soon as she walks in her front door. “I wear heavy make-up while I am working and nothing feels better than taking my face off,” she says. This starts with wiping off her lipstick with Cetaphil’s Gentle Makeup Remover and then washing her face with the Gentle Skin Cleanser.

“Her routine works for her and this works for me. We could not be more opposite,” she says of her television alter ego.

Ms. Brosnahan has been using Cetaphil products since she was teenager with acne and sensitive skin. “My mom recommended Cetaphil and I have been using it ever since,” she says.

She is a big fan of the brand’s new Deep Hydration facial moisturizer line. “My biggest concern is dry skin especially as we approach winter,” she says.

The Cetaphil Deep Hydration facial moisturizer and Sheer Hydration body moisturizer collections features the Deep Hydration 48 Hour Activation Serum, Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Cream, Deep Hydration Refreshing Eye Serum, Sheer Hydration Body Spray Moisturizer, and Sheer Hydration Replenishing Body Lotion.