The moisturizer enhanced the efficacy of acne medication.

New research suggests that a moisturizer containing ceramides and niacinamide (CCM) significantly improved lesions from acne vulgaris when combined with anti-acne medication.

"Dermatologists often suggests using moisturizers for a wide range of skin problems initiated by acne treatment, such as CCM, to simulate skin moisturization," the authors wrote in the study. "Moreover, topical niacinamide application can also help improve acne vulgaris due to its combination of anti-inflammatory action and reduction of sebum production. Nonetheless, there have been limited studies on the tolerability and efficacy of those moisturizers for acne vulgaris treatment."

The researchers conducted an 8-week, randomized, double-blinded, split-face study involving 40 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Study participants were assigned to topical anti-acne medications, including 5% benzoyl peroxide and 0.1% adapalene gel, and then randomly applied either CCM or hydrophilic cream. Regular evaluations were conducted at weeks 0, 2, 4, and 8, focusing on acne improvement and adverse reactions, as well as biometric and biophysical parameters.

According to the results, CCM significantly improved non-inflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesions compared to hydrophilic cream after 8-weeks. Both treatments showed improvements in various parameters such as global worst score, hemoglobin index, melanin index, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, sebum production, and skin surface pH. No statistically significant differences between the two treatments were reported.

The face mask confounder, which may have influenced some outcomes due to irritation or allergy, was cited as a limitation of the study, along with the small sample size. 

"Interestingly, there are no statistically significant differences between CCM and hydrophilic cream in the global worst score, hemoglobin index, melanin index, TEWL, skin hydration, sebum production, and skin surface pH during 8 weeks of the study. No serious side effects are observed from clinical application of CCM and hydrophilic cream in mild to moderate acne vulgaris patients," the authors concluded. "Nonetheless, further studies of CCM moisturizer and other active ingredients in moisturizer as an adjunctive treatment of acne vulgaris would be suggested in larger sample size to verify the effectiveness in acne vulgaris treatment."

Source: Tempark T, Shem A, Lueangarun S. Efficacy of ceramides and niacinamide-containing moisturizer versus hydrophilic cream in combination with topical anti-acne treatment in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: A split face, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. J Cosmet Dermatol. Published online February 1, 2024. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16212