Expert Consensus on the Role of Dermocosmetics in Acne Management in the United Arab Emirates

Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder with multiple pathogenic pathways. The aim of this initiative was to develop United Arab Emirates (UAE)-specific consensus statements supporting the clinical integration of dermocosmetics into acne management.

An expert panel comprising 13 eminent dermatologists practicing in the UAE completed a pre-meeting survey on local acne management practices, followed by a meeting to appraise the proposed consensus statements. Consensus required a ≥ 70% level of agreement through anonymous online voting.

According to the pre-meeting survey, most patients with acne were aged 13-35 years. Acne-induced hyperpigmentation and scarring were the most common complications. Despite their potential benefits, dermocosmetics were underutilized in routine clinical practice. Some dermocosmetics contain dermatologically active ingredients with clinical evidence supporting benefits in acne-prone skin, particularly for barrier support, tolerability, oil control, photoprotection, maintenance, and adherence. In total, the expert panel developed seven consensus statements that endorsed the value of dermocosmetics as: (1) initial therapy in mild acne, (2) adjuvant therapy to enhance tolerability and adherence in moderate-to-severe acne, and (3) maintenance therapy to sustain remission and prevent relapse. They highlighted its benefits in acne-induced hyperpigmentation, especially in darker phototypes and oilier skin phenotypes, which are common in the UAE. Additionally, the expert panel advocated for individualized treatment strategies according to the need, skin type, and acne severity of each patient.

To our knowledge, this represents the first UAE-specific consensus guiding the integration and standardization of dermocosmetics into acne management. The statements are aligned to international standards and can be adapted to other regions sharing similar characteristics as UAE.