Acne Vulgaris in Adolescents: Scientific Evidence for Optimizing Treatment Regimens via Dermatocosmetics

Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common skin pathology in adolescents, it is characterized by chronic recurrent inflammatory process affecting the pilosebaceous units. This disease has significant negative effect on both quality of life and psychosocial well-being, resulting in development of various mental disorders and physical discomfort, including not only typical clinical signs, but also post-acne symptom complex. Nowadays, the paramount importance in disease pathophysiology are changes in the skin microbiome caused by interactions between genetic and exposomal factors leading to increased cutaneous fatty secretion by sebocytes and concomitant dysfunction of the epidermal barrier due to ongoing inflammatory process. Current AV treatment options include topical and systemic therapies with various clinical and pharmacological groups. However, most available options (for dermatovenerologists) can provoke dry skin and irritate sensitive adolescent skin due to additional disruption of epidermal barrier and microbiome composition. All together it significantly reduces patient compliance, and, therefore, reduces the treatment success rate. We have to mention that AV management should be carried out for a long time to prevent the recurrence observed in one third of all cases. It emphasizes the topicality of adequate optimization of treatment regimens used in wide clinical practice. In this context, guidelines for skin care have the leading role. It is crucial part of AV management, and it can not only improve compliance, but also increase the efficacy of prescribed drugs through synergistic interactions. Though, the comprehensive analysis of the available core care products, their composition and the effect of their ingredients on the structural and functional integrity of the skin, is required to ensure such effect.