Study: Nonprescription Balm Performs on Par with Topical Antibiotic

Key Takeaways

• CB5 balm was as effective as topical antibiotics in healing cryotherapy-treated AK lesions.

• No adverse events were linked to either CB5 or PSO in the study.

• The balm offers a potential antibiotic-free alternative for dermatologic wound care.

A new randomized controlled trial found that a nonprescription repairing balm containing panthenol, madecassoside, and metal salts (CB5) performs equivalently to a topical antibiotic (PSO) for wound healing after cryotherapy of actinic keratoses (AKs).

Study researchers enrolled 60 participants, each with a minimum of three AK lesions per arm. After cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen, three lesions on each arm were treated with either CB5 or PSO. The arm receiving each treatment was randomized to create intra-individual control and investigational groups. Clinicians evaluated healing based on erythema, oozing/crusting, and recovery speed over three weeks.

According to the reported results, there were no statistically significant differences in these outcomes between the two groups. On day 21, all participants reported improvement in treated lesions, and no adverse events were attributed to either product. The findings, the authors suggested, indicate CB5 may be a viable alternative to topical antibiotics for wound care following cryotherapy.

“Post-procedural treatment with CB5 and PSO demonstrated equivalent wound healing in participants undergoing liquid nitrogen cryotherapy for AKs without the potential for further adverse effects,” the authors concluded

Source: Lynde CW, Andriessen A, Guenther L, et al. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(5):507-515. doi:10.36849/JDD.8746R1.