Study

Intervention

Results

Reference

Uncontrolled open-label trial for facial acne in women (n=80)

70% glycolic acid peel for 2 to 8 minutes; 1 treatment approximately at 10 day intervals for 2 years along with daily topical antibiotics and glycolic acid cosmetic formulations ranging from 8-15%

95% of patients reported marked improvement in acne. Average number of treatments to achieve significant improvement was 3 for comedonic acne, 6 for papulo-pustular acne and 8 to 10 for nodular-cystic acne

Atzori, et al.⁹³⁸⁴

Randomized, single-blind, split-face trial for facial acne (n=26)

70% glycolic acid peel, Jessner’s solution; 3 total treatments at 2 week intervals

Improvement in Leeds score after final session, but no statistically significant differences between glycolic acid and Jessner’s solution. Greater degree of exfoliation with Jessner’s solution was noted (p<0.01)

Kim, et al.⁹⁴⁸⁵

Uncontrolled open-label trial for darker-skinned patients (n=25, 9 with acne vulgaris)

Two 20% salicylic acid peels followed by three 30% salicylic acid peels; 5 total treatments at 2 week intervals along with 4% hydroquinone

Moderate to significant improvement was observed in 8/9 patients with an overall reduction in the number of lesions. 16% experienced mild side effects including temporary crusting, hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, and dryness

Grimes, et al.⁹⁵⁸⁶

Uncontrolled, single-blind trial for facial acne in Korean patients (n=35)

30% salicylic acid peel; 5 total treatments at 2 week intervals

Mean total lesion count, non-inflammatory lesions and inflammatory lesions were reduced at the conclusion of the study. Leeds score was improved from baseline (p<0.01)

Lee, et al.⁹⁶⁸⁷

Randomized, double-blind, split face trial for mild, moderate, and severe acne (n=20)

30% glycolic acid peel, 30% salicyclic acid peel; 6 total treatments at 2 week intervals

Significant reduction in acne lesions with both treatments at 4 weeks post final treatment (p<0.05). No difference in efficacy between the two treatments (p=ns). A greater increase in new acne lesions was reported on glycolic acid treated sides at 2 months post final treatment (p=ns). Salicylic acid treated sides sustained acne improvement at 2 months post-treatment (p<0.01)

Kessler, et al.⁹⁷⁸⁸