Beyond the Myths: Expert Data Updates on Acne and Rosacea Management

At the Maui Derm NP+PA Fall 2025 meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, Hilary Baldwin, MD, medical director of the Acne Treatment and Research Center in Brooklyn, New York, delivered an insightful update on acne and rosacea alongside Julie Harper, MD, and Mary Larijani, MD.¹ The presentation focused on practical treatment pearls, emerging data, and clinical strategies to improve outcomes for both adolescent and adult patients.

A key focus of Baldwin’s acne update was clascoterone, a topical androgen receptor inhibitor. Importantly, new stability data now supports 6-month usability post-opening, an improvement over the previous 1-month labeling. She also shared new findings confirming its ability to reduce sebum production, compatibility with benzoyl peroxide, and consistent efficacy across genders and age groups.

“It works as well in men as it does in women and as well in adolescents as it does in adults,” Baldwin said. “So it's not just a medication for our adult female acne patients.”

Baldwin also addressed persistent treatment myths, highlighting that leave-on benzoyl peroxide formulations are significantly more effective than washes, particularly in reducing cyst counts. She discussed isotretinoin and noted that patients treated before age 16 may face higher relapse rates, suggesting the need for long-term management planning.

On the topic of oral antibiotics, she emphasized the limited phase 3 data behind doxycycline and immediate-release minocycline, noting unresolved questions around optimal dosing. In contrast, extended-release minocycline and sarecycline have robust clinical trial data. Sarecycline’s narrow-spectrum activity was highlighted as a major advantage, offering targeted action against Cutibacterium acnes while sparing gut flora and minimizing potential gastrointestinal adverse effects.

Baldwin also referenced Harper’s portion of the section, which used an engaging analogy comparing treatments to utensils—underscoring that no single therapy addresses all rosacea subtypes. Effective treatment often requires multiple agents targeting different disease features such as inflammation, erythema, and phymatous changes. Harper’s message reinforced the importance of individualized, multimodal treatment plans.

“Rosacea has many different, many different signs and symptoms of the disease,” Baldwin noted. “Most of the patients who walk into the office are going to need more than 1 drug or more than 1 treatment.”

Stay tuned to Dermatology Times all week for exclusive conference coverage and expert insights from Maui Derm NP+PA Fall.

Reference

1. Baldwin H, Harper J, Larijani M, Mudd K. Acne and Rosacea Update 2025. Presented at: Maui Derm NP+PA Fall 2025; September 20-23, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee.