Linda Stein Gold, MD, FAAD, on the Evolving Landscape of Acne, Rosacea, and Psoriasis

Linda Stein Gold, MD, FAAD, director of dermatology clinical research at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan, met with Dermatology Times in Aventura, Florida, to review key updates from her sessions at Winter Clinical Miami, highlighting evolving management strategies in acne, rosacea, and inflammatory skin disease, as well as emerging oral therapies in psoriasis.

During her acne and rosacea talk, Stein Gold addressed ongoing concerns surrounding benzene contamination in benzoyl peroxide products.¹ Following FDA analysis, only a limited number of over-the-counter products were identified and withdrawn. In practice, she now advises patients to avoid heat exposure, consider refrigeration, discard older products, and use fresh supplies. Notably, emerging data suggest that leave-on benzoyl peroxide formulations may be less prone to benzene degradation than wash-off products, prompting her to favor leave-on prescriptions. She also discussed new data on isotretinoin, emphasizing that cumulative dose, rather than daily dose, is the primary determinant of long-term remission and relapse risk. Although antihistamines are sometimes used adjunctively to mitigate isotretinoin-related symptoms, supporting data remain limited.

For rosacea, Stein Gold highlighted the availability of a newer low-dose oral minocycline formulation, which demonstrated superiority to subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline in head-to-head trials and may represent one of the most effective current systemic options. She also addressed acneiform and rosacea-like eruptions associated with oral JAK and TYK2 inhibitors, noting that these reactions are typically manageable with standard topical therapies.

“It's an exciting time in acne and rosacea,” Stein Gold said. “We still have a lot going on, and we can do a lot to get our patients under control.”

In the “Latest and Greatest Clinical Pearls” panel session, Stein Gold focused on expanding uses for nonsteroidal topical agents originally approved for atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.² She presented cases demonstrating benefit in palmoplantar keratoderma and pustular psoriasis of the palms and soles using tapinarof, as well as emerging reports supporting topical ruxolitinib and other agents in vitiligo management.

“We've got to think outside the tube...think of other indications and we have some new tools in our toolbox that will help get those patients under control,” she told Dermatology Times.

Looking ahead, Stein Gold expressed excitement for ongoing clinical trials evaluating 3 investigational oral psoriasis therapies nearing potential FDA approval, including oral IL-23 receptor–targeting peptide, icotrokinra, and 2 TYK2 inhibitors. With strong efficacy and favorable safety profiles, these agents may significantly reshape the oral treatment landscape for psoriasis, expanding therapeutic flexibility and patient choice in the near future.

References

1. Stein Gold L. What’s New in Acne and Rosacea. Presented at: 2026 Winter Clinical Miami Dermatology Conference; February 27-March 1, 2026; Aventura, FL.

2. Armstrong A, Elewski B, Kirsner R, Lebwohl M, Gold L. The Latest and Greatest Clinical Pearls. Presented at: 2026 Winter Clinical Miami Dermatology Conference; February 27-March 1, 2026; Aventura, FL.