Acne Vaccine Could Be 'Revolutionary,' Dr. Stein Gold Says

The next major breakthrough in acne could be a “revolutionary” vaccine targeting the strain of c. Acnes bacteria that produces the Hyl-A enzyme, Linda Stein Gold, MD, said at the Winter Clinical Hawaii 2025 meeting in Waikoloa Village, Hawaii.

“It is still in early clinical trials, but I think it’s really exciting,” Dr. Stein Gold said during her “What’s New and Hot in Acne and Rosacea” presentation.

Early tests by researchers at the University of California Irvine have shown the vaccine reducing acne severity by half.

“Maybe every year you will get your vaccine—once a year or so—and maybe not prevent acne but minimize the potential for development of acne. I think that would be great,” Dr. Stein Gold said.