Table 6.

Effective agents for acne in skin of color

MILD-TO-MODERATE ACNE
Tretinoin
Adapalene
Tazarotene
Clindamycin phosphate 1.2% + tretinoin 0.025% gel
Adapalene 0.1% + benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel
Clindamycin
Benzoyl peroxide
Clindamycin 1% + benzoyl peroxide 5% gel
Dapsone
Azelaic acid
Salicylic acid
Oral contraceptives (female patients)
Comedo extraction

MODERATE-TO-SEVERE ACNE
Tetracycline
Doxycycline
Minocycline
Erythromycin
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
Tretinoin (in combination)
Adapalene (in combination)
Tazarotene (in combination)
Adapalene 0.1% + benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel
Clindamycin phosphate 1.2% + tretinoin 0.025% gel
Clindamycin 1.2% + benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel
Clindamycin 1% + benzoyl peroxide 5% gel
Oral contraceptives (female patients)
Comedo extraction
Chemical peels
Lasers and light-based therapies

NODULOCYSTIC ACNE
Isotretinoin
Oral antibiotic + topical retinoid + topical antimicrobial (agents listed above in moderate-to-severe acne)
Oral contraceptives (female patients)
Intralesional corticosteroids