Tretinoin-sunscreen mixture in the treatment of acne vulgaris

In an open design study of fifty-four patients with grade I or grade II acne vulgaris, the combination of 0.1 percent tretinoin cream (Retin-A) and a sunscreen with sun protection factor 15 (Sundown) was evaluated. Overall study results of the forty-six patients who could be evaluated demonstrated a decrease in papule count of 25.9 percent, a decrease in closed comedones of 49.1 percent, and a decrease in open comedones of 36.3 percent by the end of the eight-week study period. These results indicate that the addition of a noncomedogenic sunscreen to tretinoin did not compromise its effectiveness and successfully prevented photoaccentuation reactions.