Differin® significantly reduces lesion count as early as 2 weeks.6
Management of Acne Vulgaris
2nd Ed. (Malaysia CPG Guidelines)
Management of Acne Vulgaris 2nd Ed. (Malaysia CPG Guidelines)
About Differin®, Epiduo® & Benzac®
Differin®
(0.1% Adapalene)
Differin is recommended for treating acne vulgaris characterized by predominance of comedones, papules, and pustules.1
Differin exhibits improved tolerability compared to tretinoin products and possesses non-comedogenic, comedolytic, and potent anti-inflammatory properties.2
Epiduo®
(0.1% Adapalene + 2.5% benzoyl peroxide)
Epiduo is recommended for treating acne vulgaris featuring comedones, papules, and pustules.3
The Epiduo formulation, combining adapalene and benzoyl peroxide, shows a rapid onset of action, reducing noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total lesions from the first week of treatment. It has also been shown to be well-tolerated in acne vulgaris treatment groups.3,4
Benzac®
(2.5% or 5% benzoyl peroxide)
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical antibacterial renowned for its rapid bactericidal action, as well as its comedolytic effects. It is primarily indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris. Its bactericidal impact on P. acnes is attributed to the oxidation of bacterial proteins. Furthermore, it inhibits sebum triglyceride lipolysis and diminishes inflammation of acne lesions.5
Differin®
How soon can we
see results?
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Percentage reduction of non inflammatory lesion count during 12-weeks of treatment.6
Adapted from Weiss JS et al. 1998.
Adapted from Weiss JS et al. 1998.
Does it clear white and
blackheads?
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Yes, Differin® can effectively target both open (blackheads) and closed (whiteheads) comedones.7
Do all retinoids work
the same way?
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No. Topical retinoids have varied effects despite a shared mechanism. Differin’s® high selectivity for retinoic acid receptors makes it effective for acne treatment.8
Are all retinoids equally
effective in treating acne?
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No, studies indicate that Differin® (adapalene 0.1%) is more effective than other retinoids in treating acne vulgaris, with enhanced tolerability compared to tretinoin.9
Comparative tolerability of 0.1% adapalene gel and 0.025% tretinoin gel in patients with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.10
Adapted from Waugh J et al. 2004.
Adapted from Waugh J et al. 2004.
Epiduo®
How quickly does it show
results for acne prone skin?
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Epiduo® effectively reduces noninflammatory, inflammatory and total lesions synergistically, with a 26.3% reduction after 1st week of treatment.4
Percentage of median change from baseline of total lesion count after treatment.4
Adapted from Sittart JA et al. 2015.
Adapted from Sittart JA et al. 2015.
What about tolerability
and adverse reaction?
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Acne subjects using Epiduo® report high tolerability, minimal adverse effects with reduced lesion counts.4,11
Can it be used on children?
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Yes, Epiduo® is indicated for children >9 years of age.4
Benzac®
How soon can we see
results for acne vulgaris?
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Reduction of propionibacteria spp. number was observed 48 hours after treatment with Benzac®.12
Changes in number of propionibacteria spp.
isolated from facial skin after treatment.
*, incates statistical significance in comparison with baseline (P<0.01).12
Adapted from Bojar RA et al. 1995.
*, incates statistical significance in comparison with baseline (P<0.01).12
Adapted from Bojar RA et al. 1995.
How does this formulation
aid with skin hydration?
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The acrylates copolymer beads in Benzac® serve the dual function of absorbing sebum and releasing glycerin to keep skin hydrated.13
Can it be used in combination
with antibiotics?
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Yes, clinical studies show that combining 1% clindamycin with Benzac® (5% benzoyl peroxide) is more effective in reducing lesion count than using either drug alone.14
Percentage reduction of lesion count
during 11-weeks of treatment.
†, indicates statistical significance in comparison with clindamycin.
*, indicates statistical significance in comparison with benzoyl peroxide.14
Adapted from Bojar RA et al. 1995.
Does it help with blocked
comedones?
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Yes, Benzac® contains keratolytic activity, which unblocks comedones by breaking down excess keratin and dead skin cells.15
Understanding Acne Treatment
Important Tips and FAQs
Why should topical treatments be considered over antibiotics for acne management?
- The Centers for Disease Control reports about 23,000 annual deaths in the US due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.16
- Antibiotic overuse in acne treatment has increased P. acnes resistance from 20% in 1978 to 67% today.16
- Topical treatments like retinoids and benzoyl peroxide are recommended as first-line options for mild to moderate acne to reduce antibiotic use, particularly for maintenance.16
What should be expected in terms of adverse effects when using topical acne treatments?
- Common mild to moderate adverse effects of topical acne creams include burning sensations and erythema.17
- Patients should be informed that burning sensation and erythema indicates the therapy’s effectiveness and will resolve after discontinuation.17
- For patients with sensitive skin, recommend starting retinoids or benzoyl peroxide every other day until the burning or stinging sensation subsides.17
Galderma’s CTMP® Holistic
Skin Care Routine19
Expert consensus from dermatologists recommends to practice on holistic skincare regimen with CTMP (Cleanser, Treatment, Moisturizer and Photoprotection) as daily skincare routine to increase patients compliance to prescribed treatment, minimise adverse reactions, increase patients satisfaction and treatment outcomes.
Elevate your patients’ skincare regimen with Differin®, Epiduo®, and Benzac®. These treatments offer transformative results, from blemish reduction to achieving youthful skin. Empower your practice to ignite skin transformations by prescribing Differin®, Epiduo®, and Benzac® today.
Your recommendations can help patients embrace healthier radiant skin.
References
- Malaysia Differin Prescribing Information. 2024.
- Cunliffe WJ et al. Br J Dermatol. 1998;139 Suppl 52:48-56.
- Malaysia Epiduo Prescribing Information. 2024.
- Sittart JA et al. An Bras Dermatol. 2015;90(6 Suppl 1):1-16.
- Yang Z et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):Cd011154.
- Weiss JS et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998;39(2 Pt 3):S50-4.
- Sutaria AH et al. StatPearls Publishing LLC.; 2024.
- Motamedi M et al. J Cutan Med Surg. 2022;26(1):71-8.
- Tolaymat L et al. StatPearls Publishing LLC.; 2024.
- Waugh J et al. Drugs. 2004;64(13):1465-78.
- Gold LS et al. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2016;9(7):23-9.
- Bojar RA et al. Br J Dermatol. 1995;132(2):204-8.
- Australia Benzac AC gel Consumer Medicine Information.2020.
- Lookingbill DP et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1997;37(4):590-5.
- Waller JM et al. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2006;19(5):283-9.
- Canavan TN et al. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2016;6(4):555-78.
- Kim SY et al. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2016;12:1497-506.
- Clinical Practice Guidelines of Acne Vulgaris, 2022, Ministry of Health Malaysia. Available at: https://www.moh.gov.my/moh/resources/Penerbitan/CPG/Skin%20Condition/e-CPG_Ance-26_11_22.pdf. Accessed March 2024.
- Goh CL et al. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023;22(1):45-54.
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