Table 1.

Topical treatments for acne

Drug	Effectiveness	Level of evidence	Side effects
Benzoyl peroxide	Reduces non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions	2 systematic reviews,11,12 1 randomised controlled trial13	Local irritation, itching, stinging, burning, dryness, scaling, and erythema. Bleaches hair and fabrics
Azeleic acid	Reduces non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions	2 randomised controlled trialsw19 w20	Local irritation, itching, stinging, burning, scaling, and erythema. Photosensitisation