Triple-Combo Gel Reduces Acne Lesions, Scarring, and PIH Over 6 Months: Study
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/adapalene 0.15%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1% gel (CAB) gel led to 68% treatment success and substantial lesion reduction over 6 months.
Statistically significant improvements in acne sequelae (PIH, PIE, and scarring) were also reported.
The regimen was well tolerated with no reported adverse events or antibiotic resistance.
Clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/adapalene 0.15%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1% gel (CAB) was associated with significant long-term efficacy and safety in the treatment of moderate acne and associated sequelae, results from a new 24-week open-label study indicate.
In this single-center study, 25 participants aged 12 years and older with moderate acne (IGA score of 3) were assigned to apply CAB gel once daily. Investigators assessed clinical response through changes in IGA score, lesion counts, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), postinflammatory erythema (PIE), scarring, and tolerability. Cutibacterium acnes resistance was also monitored.
According to the results, 68% of participants achieved treatment success by week 24. Inflammatory lesion counts were reduced by 89%, and noninflammatory lesions by 70%—both changes statistically significant (P<0.001). Notably, both investigator- and participant-reported assessments indicated marked reductions in PIH (77%; 82%) and PIE (84%; 88%). Scarring severity also decreased by 33% (P≤0.001 for all skin appearance measures).
There were no significant increases were noted in dryness, redness, burning, or itching throughout the study period, and no adverse events were reported. A microbiologic evaluation at baseline and study conclusion showed no evidence of antibiotic resistance in C. acnes.
“These results support the long-term use of CAB in the topical treatment of acne,” the authors wrote. “With 24 weeks of once-daily use, CAB was efficacious, well-tolerated, and significantly improved acne-related scarring and dyspigmentation.”
Source: Draelos ZD, Ghannoum M, Stein Gold L, et al. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(5):516-523. doi:10.36849/JDD.9018