Clinical inquiries. What is the best treatment for mild to moderate acne?

ABSTRACT

For mild comedonal acne, monotherapy with topical retinoids is the treatment of choice (strength of recommendation [SOR] A). For moderate comedonal and mild to moderate papulopustular acne, combination therapy with either benzoyl peroxide or topical retinoids (adapalene [Differin], tazarotene [Tazorac], tretinoin [Retin-A]) plus topical antibiotics (erythromycin or clindamycin) is proven most effective (SOR A). Six to 8 weeks should be allowed for most treatments to work before altering the regimen (SOR A).