In a small study of 39 acne patients, a gel combining hydroxypinacolone retinoate and encapsulated retinol prevented acne relapse in 85% of people over 12 months after they stopped taking oral isotretinoin (a heavy-duty acne drug). No serious side effects were reported, though this was a limited trial focused on maintenance rather than treating active acne.
Researchers treated 40 patients with moderate acne using oral isotretinoin until their acne cleared, then switched them to a daily gel containing hydroxypinacolone retinoate for a full year to see if it would stop acne from coming back.
Funding not disclosed in abstract