The Many Faces of Pediatric Acne: How to Tailor Nonprescription Acne Treatment and Skincare Using Cleansers and Moisturizers

Abstract

Background: Acne vulgaris (acne) is a common, complex, multifactorial disorder. Various expressions of acne in childhood can be categorized by age, severity, and pubertal status. Objective: To improve pediatric acne patients’ outcomes, various expressions of pediatric acne to educate and tailor nonprescription acne treatment and skincare using cleansers and moisturizers were defined and discussed. Methods: An expert panel of pediatric dermatologists and dermatologists reviewed and discussed nonprescription acne treatment and skincare literature. The results from the literature searches were used together with the panel’s expert opinion and experience to adopt various expressions of pediatric acne and prevention, treatment, and maintenance of the condition using nonprescription acne treatment and skincare. Results: The panel agreed on sixteen acne patient profiles addressing various age categories of pediatric acne: neonatal acne: birth to ≤ 8 weeks; infantile acne: 8 weeks to ≤1 year; mid-childhood acne: 1 year to <7 years; preadolescent acne: ≥7 to 12 years; adolescent acne: ≥12 to 19 years or after menarche for girls. Nonprescription acne treatment and skincare products containing lipids such as ceramides play an important role in monotherapy, adjunctive, and maintenance treatment; however, their role in pediatric acne is not well defined and requires more studies. Conclusion: Pediatric acne deserves more attention from healthcare providers treating children regarding differential diagnosis, treatment, and maintenance using nonprescription acne treatment and skincare.