Split-face comparison of adapalene 0.1% gel and tretinoin 0.025% gel in acne patients.

Abstract

Adapalene is a new naphthoic acid derivative developed for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris. We compared the skin tolerance of adapalene 0.1% gel with tretinoin 0.025% gel in subjects with acne. Fifteen acne patient volunteers were enrolled in this investigator-masked, left-right comparison, randomized, controlled, intraindividual study. Adapalene 0.1% gel and tretinoin 0.025% gel were applied once a day to one half-face by the volunteers for 14 consecutive days. Clinical signs (erythema, desquamation, papules, vesicles, edema) and subjective symptoms (tightness, pruritus, burning) were evaluated and scored daily except on weekends. Adapalene 0.1% gel was better tolerated than tretinoin 0.025% gel. The overall mean score calculated from all features combined was significantly higher with tretinoin gel than with adapalene gel (p = 0.002). Adapalene 0.1% gel was significantly less irritating than tretinoin 0.025% gel when tested in acne patients.