A new review published in Skin Health and Disease has found that fundamental skincare practices can significantly improve various skin conditions, even without the use of prescription medications. Researchers from the University of Lancashire and NHS Foundation Trust focused on the non-medicated control groups in randomized controlled trials for conditions such as acne, actinic keratoses, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and rosacea.

Read More

The review analyzed data from multiple studies, revealing noteworthy results in the vehicle groups, which received only basic skincare treatments like cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection.

For acne, two large phase III trials involving 2,817 participants noted a 25.7% improvement in overall facial acne severity and up to a 51.2% reduction in inflammatory lesions among those using only the basic regimen. In trials for actinic keratoses, a group of 468 participants showed a 24% reduction in lesion count, with 17% achieving complete clearance using just the vehicle treatment.

Melasma treatment demonstrated a 66.6% improvement in severity among 48 participants using the basic skincare method, while a phase IV trial for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation involving 123 participants revealed a 44.9% reduction in overall disease severity. Lastly, a multicenter trial of 120 participants with rosacea indicated a 27% decrease in redness in the vehicle group.

These findings suggest that basic skincare routines can yield substantial benefits. The authors of the review highlighted that vehicle arms often achieve a significant portion of the efficacy seen with active treatments, sometimes exceeding halfway to the results provided by stronger medications.

However, factors like the Hawthorne effect, placebo effect, and participant consistency should be considered when interpreting these results. Ultimately, the review supports the idea that a simple skincare routine consisting of gentle cleansing, effective moisturizing, and daily sunscreen not only serves as a foundation for further treatments but is also a valuable intervention on its own.