Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40682377›Full record

Trial reportJournal of cosmetic dermatology2025

Clinical Efficacy of a Salicylic Acid-Containing Gel on Acne Management and Skin Barrier Function: A 21-Day Prospective Study.

Ye Liu, Yanjun Dan, Jiahong Yang, Xiaofeng He, Jingjing Liu, Yi Yi, Xing Chen, Xue Yin, Weina Song, Yueiqng Niu and 2 more

Erratum issuedAbstract readClinical Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Trial
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Ye LiuDepartment of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Yanjun DanDepartment of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Jiahong YangL'Oréal Dermatological Beauty China, CeraVe, Shanghai, China.
Xiaofeng HeL'Oréal China Research and Innovation Center, Shanghai, China.
Jingjing LiuL'Oréal China Research and Innovation Center, Shanghai, China.
Yi YiL'Oréal China Research and Innovation Center, Shanghai, China.
Xing ChenL'Oréal Dermatological Beauty China, CeraVe, Shanghai, China.
Xue YinL'Oréal Dermatological Beauty China, CeraVe, Shanghai, China.
Weina SongL'Oréal Dermatological Beauty China, CeraVe, Shanghai, China.
Yueiqng NiuL'Oréal Dermatological Beauty China, CeraVe, Shanghai, China.
Yijie ZhengL'Oréal Dermatological Beauty China, CeraVe, Shanghai, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0213-2302
Yunfei AiL'Oréal Dermatological Beauty China, CeraVe, Shanghai, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAcne vulgaris is a common skin condition characterized by excessive sebum production, inflammation, and compromised skin barrier function. Effective treatments should target both lesion reduction and skin hydration while maintaining tolerability.

objectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a salicylic acid-containing gel in reducing sebum levels, improving skin hydration, strengthening the skin barrier, and alleviating acne severity over 21 days.

methodsA single-center, prospective clinical trial was conducted on 42 participants (37 females, 5 males, mean age: 25.86 ± 6.69 years) with mild-to-moderate acne (IGA grade 2-3) and oily or combination skin. Participants applied the gel twice daily for 21 days. Sebum levels (Sebumeter SM815), trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL, Tewameter TM Hex), and skin hydration (Corneometer CM825) were measured at multiple time points. Acne severity was assessed using the IGA scale, and self-reported satisfaction surveys were collected.

resultsFollowing the follow-up period, sebum levels decreased by 23.65% (p < 0.05), while skin hydration increased by 40.5% (p < 0.05). TEWL decreased by 49.26% (p < 0.05), indicating enhanced skin barrier function. The IGA score improved by 23.81% (p < 0.001), demonstrating a significant reduction in acne severity. All participants (100%) reported satisfaction with the product, with notable improvements in oil control, acne reduction, and skin texture. The gel was well tolerated, with only 5% of participants reporting mild, transient itching, which resolved without intervention.

conclusionThe salicylic acid-containing gel effectively reduces acne lesions, regulates sebum production, enhances skin hydration, and strengthens the skin barrier, making it a suitable option for acne-prone and sensitive skin. These findings suggest that the gel provides a well-balanced approach to acne treatment by addressing both clinical efficacy and user comfort.

Indexed as

Acne VulgarisSalicylic AcidAdministration, CutaneousAdolescentAdultFemaleGelsHumansMalePatient SatisfactionProspective StudiesSebumSeverity of Illness IndexSkinTreatment OutcomeWater Loss, InsensibleGelsSalicylic Acidacne managementclinical trialsalicylic acidsebum reductionskin barrier function

Identifiers

PMID40682377
PMCPMC12274963

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.