Effectiveness of a Machine Learning-Enabled Skincare Recommendation for Mild-to-Moderate Acne Vulgaris: 8-Week...

Acne vulgaris (AV) is one of the most common skin disorders, with a peak incidence in adolescence and early adulthood. Topical treatments are usually used for mild to moderate AV; however, a lack of adherence to topical treatment is seen in patients due to various reasons. Therefore, personalized skincare recommendations may be beneficial for treating mild-to-moderate AV.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel machine learning approach in predicting the optimal treatment for mild-to-moderate AV based on self-assessment and objective measures.

A randomized, evaluator-blinded, parallel-group study was conducted on 100 patients recruited from an internet-based database and randomized in a 1:1 ratio (groups A and B) based on their consent form submission. Groups A and B received customized product recommendations using a Bayesian machine learning model and self-selected treatments, respectively. The patients submitted self-assessed disease scores and photographs after the 8-week treatment. The primary and secondary outcomes were photograph evaluation by two board-certified dermatologists using the Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) scores and quality of life (QoL) measured using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), respectively.

Overall, 99 patients were screened, and 68 patients (mean age: 27 years, SD 4.56 years) were randomized into groups A (customized) and B (self-selected). IGA scores significantly improved after treatment in group A but not in group B (mean difference in IGA score; group A=0.32, P=.04 vs group B=0.09, P=.54). The DLQI significantly improved in group A from 7.75 at baseline to 3.5 (P<.001) after treatment but reduced in group B from 7.53 to 5.3 (P>.05). IGA scores and the DLQI were significantly correlated in group A, but not in group B. A total of 3 patients reported adverse reactions in group B, but none in group A.

Using a machine learning model for personalized skincare recommendations significantly reduced symptoms and improved severity and overall QoL of patients with mild-to-moderate AV, supporting the potential of machine learning-based personalized treatment options in dermatology.