Efficacy and Safety of a Spray Containing Retinol and Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate Encapsulated in Glycospheres, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, and Niacinamide Versus Vitamin A Acid 0.025% Lotion for the Treatment of Mild‐to‐Moderate Truncal Acne in Patients Treated With Doxycycline: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Truncal acne affects life quality and poses unique treatment challenges. Novel formulations containing encapsulated retinol and hydroxypinacolone retinoate, the antimicrobial peptide BIOPEP‐15 (BIOPEP‐15), niacinamide, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid (RB + NSG) spray may offer benefits compared with traditional therapies when combined with oral antibiotics. Objective To compare the efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction of RB + NSG spray versus vitamin A acid (VAA) lotion in mild‐to‐moderate truncal acne treated alongside doxycycline. Methods This randomized, assessor‐blinded trial involved 50 patients aged 18–45 with truncal acne. Patients were assigned to either RB + NSG spray twice daily or VAA 0.025% lotion at night. Both groups received oral doxycycline 100 mg twice daily. Lesion count reductions, skin surface lipid (SSL) changes, and quality of life (DLQI) were assessed. Patient satisfaction scores (PSSs) and side effects were evaluated. Results Forty‐eight patients completed the study. At 12 weeks, according to the noninferiority margin of 5, a total lesion count reduction in the RB + NSG spray group was noninferior compared to the VAA group. Both groups showed a significant decrease in the total lesion count reduction compared to the baseline (RB + NSG: ‐26.8, p < 0.01, and VAA lotion: −18.1, p < 0.01). DLQI improvements were greater with RB + NSG (−7.7 vs. −5.0; p = 0.002), and PSS favored RB + NSG (13.0 vs. 11.0; p = 0.012). Erythema was more common in the RB + NSG group (83.3%), but the dryness rate was lower (12.5% vs. 54.2%). Conclusion The RB + NSG spray, used with doxycycline, is a comparably effective and better‐tolerated alternative to VAA lotion for truncal acne, with respect to patients’ quality of life and satisfaction.