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Evaluation of Irritation That Potentially Could be Caused by Two Facial Gels Applied to Opposite Sides of the Face

An Investigator-Blind, Phase 4 Study Assessing the Facial Irritation Potential of Two Acne Treatment Products (Retin-A Micro Gel, 0.04% Pump and Epiduo Gel) Using a Split-Face Model

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00952523
Enrollment
162
Registered
2009-08-06
Start date
2009-07-31
Completion date
2009-10-31
Last updated
2012-02-15

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Acne Vulgaris

Keywords

acne, irritation, objective sensory methods

Brief summary

A study to compare the skin irritation potential of two marketed gels for acne treatment, each applied to half of the face of healthy volunteers.

Detailed description

At the Baseline Visit, following satisfaction of entry criteria and screening procedures, all subjects will be applying two products to their faces, each on one side only. The side of the face receiving each product is randomly assigned. One group will use Retin-A MICRO Gel, (tretinoin) 0.04% Pump on the left side of the face and Epiduo Gel (adapalene .1% and benzoyl peroxide 2.5%), on the right side of the face daily for 3 consecutive weeks after washing with study-supplied facial wash. The other group will use the same products, but on opposite sides of the face for three consecutive weeks after washing with the same study-supplied facial wash. Subjects will return to the study center every weekday morning for evaluation and application of both study products. Applications done on the weekends, will be done at home by the subject. At each visit the subject will be scored for cutaneous treatment effects by a blinded evaluator. At baseline and at the end of each week, subjects will be photographed and have chromometer readings.

Interventions

DRUGTretinoin Facial Gel

A marketed facial gel containing Tretinoin 0.04% is applied to one side of the face daily for three weeks.

DRUGAdapalene/Benzoyl Peroxide Facial Gel

A marketed facial gel containing Adapalene .1% and Benzoyl peroxide 2.5% is applied to the other side of the face daily for three weeks

Sponsors

Bausch Health Americas, Inc.
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Healthy volunteers * Before screening, subjects (or legally authorized representative) must read and sign the IRB approved Informed Consent Form (includes HIPPA and Photo release) * Subjects must have Fitzpatrick Skin Type I, II or III, and judged by the Investigator to have healthy skin * Subject's bilateral facial skin must be clear of any confounding irritation, rashes, acne, rosacea, etc. prior to the study * Subject must be free of systemic retinoids for at least 2 months * Subject must not be using any topical retinoids, systemic antibiotics, nicotinamide or systemic steroids for 1 month prior to study start * All other topical medications to face (e.g., steroids, antimicrobials, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide) and cosmetics containing retinols, AHA's and bleaching agents such as hydroquinone are to be discontinued at least 2 weeks prior to study initiation * Subjects will not apply any emollients and cosmetics to the facial area 24 hours prior to study initiation * Subject must not be planning to become pregnant or nursing before entering the study and during the study period. In addition if using birth control pills, subject must be stabilized for at least 2 months. If subject is of child bearing potential, subject must be using approved method of birth control. Approved methods are birth control pills, implants, patches or spermicide with condoms.

Exclusion criteria

* Subjects who are pregnant or nursing * Subjects who have a grade 1 or more for facial erythema * Subjects who exhibit any skin condition (i.e., atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis) or disease that may require concurrent therapy or may confound the evaluation of drug safety or efficacy * Subjects who have a history of hypersensitivity to any of the formulation components * Subjects who have received any experimental drug or used any experimental device 30 days prior to initiation of study therapy * Subjects who have excessive facial hair that may obstruct or hinder the evaluation of any reactions * Subjects who use any known photosensitizing agents * Subjects who presently have skin cancer or actinic keratosis on the face

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Facial Irritation and Cutaneous Effectsthree weeksScores on a scale were recorded each weekday. The scale for Erythema and Dryness was from 0=none to 8=severe (highest possible score is calculated as 8x5daysx3weeks=120). The scale for Burning/Stinging and Itching was from 0=none to 3=severe (highest possible score was calculated as 3x5daysx3weeks=45). The scores that were accumulated through the study for each treatment were then compared.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Tretinoin & Adapalene-Benzoyl Peroxide
Tretinoin and Adapalene-Benzoyl Peroxide facial gels applied once daily in a split face model
162
Total162

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject7

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicTretinoin & Adapalene-Benzoyl Peroxide
Age Continuous31 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.2
Region of Enrollment
United States
162 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
141 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
21 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 1620 / 162
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 1620 / 162

Outcome results

Primary

Facial Irritation and Cutaneous Effects

Scores on a scale were recorded each weekday. The scale for Erythema and Dryness was from 0=none to 8=severe (highest possible score is calculated as 8x5daysx3weeks=120). The scale for Burning/Stinging and Itching was from 0=none to 3=severe (highest possible score was calculated as 3x5daysx3weeks=45). The scores that were accumulated through the study for each treatment were then compared.

Time frame: three weeks

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Tretinoin Facial GelFacial Irritation and Cutaneous EffectsErythema1.5 Scores on a ScaleStandard Deviation 3.8
Tretinoin Facial GelFacial Irritation and Cutaneous EffectsBurning/Stinging1.9 Scores on a ScaleStandard Deviation 4
Tretinoin Facial GelFacial Irritation and Cutaneous EffectsDryness3.1 Scores on a ScaleStandard Deviation 6.1
Tretinoin Facial GelFacial Irritation and Cutaneous EffectsItching1.0 Scores on a ScaleStandard Deviation 2.3
Adapalene-Benzoyl Peroxide Facial GelFacial Irritation and Cutaneous EffectsDryness7.8 Scores on a ScaleStandard Deviation 10.3
Adapalene-Benzoyl Peroxide Facial GelFacial Irritation and Cutaneous EffectsErythema5.4 Scores on a ScaleStandard Deviation 11.8
Adapalene-Benzoyl Peroxide Facial GelFacial Irritation and Cutaneous EffectsItching2.9 Scores on a ScaleStandard Deviation 4.4
Adapalene-Benzoyl Peroxide Facial GelFacial Irritation and Cutaneous EffectsBurning/Stinging5.8 Scores on a ScaleStandard Deviation 6.5

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026