With such a wide array of topical products on the market directed toward acne management, it can be challenging for healthcare professionals to know where to begin regarding their integration into a treatment plan for their patients. Although a Naturopathic and Integrative approach allows us to effectively coordinate acne care using numerous internal-focused therapies, such as diet and oral supplementation, familiarity with the topical options for acne, many of which include various nutraceutical and herbal agents, is still underexplored. Growing amounts of research demonstrate a key role played by such topicals in acne care, including the appropriate selection of cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreens, and cosmeceutical ingredients embedded within such products. While the previous Beyond the Textbook: Managing Acne Vulgaris course* explored the research behind what topical cosmeceuticals can be used in acne management, this course builds upon that information by exploring how to integrate such cosmeceutical products in the form of protocols for various clinical scenarios commonly encountered in acne care. 

*NOTE: This  course was designed to build upon the information reviewed in the Beyond the Textbook: Managing Acne Vulgaris course. Although it is not required to first take the Managing Acne Vulgaris course, it is highly recommended to do so as a means of obtaining the full breadth of information reviewed. 

This course is designed to provide Naturopathic Doctors, Naturopathic students, and healthcare providers with in-depth and easy-to-integrate topical product-based protocols for managing various aspects of acne.  

Key aspects reviewed include:

· An overview of key elements and topics relevant to topical acne care 

· Topical-focused protocols to be used as adjunctive support to one’s standard Naturopathic/Integrative treatment plan

• A basic protocol for acne care

• A protocol for managing inflammatory acne

• A protocol for managing oily skin

• A protocol for managing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

• A protocol for managing sensitive skin 

Each protocol integrates the following:

• What topical product categories are relevant to a given protocol (including cleansers, moisturizers, treatment products, spot treatments, etc.)

• What cosmeceutical ingredients to consider including within the topical product categories for each protocol 

• What sequence is recommended for applying topical products to the skin

• Ingredient & formulation examples of (unnamed) topical products currently on the market which are relevant to each protocol

• Following each protocol is an exploration of sample human trials and review articles pertaining to key aspects highlighted within each protocol

Who might benefit from this course? 

Any healthcare provider who:

• Is looking to become familiar with what topical products to recommend and integrate as an adjunct to their standard acne treatments

• Is seeking ready-to-implement topical-based protocols, with the flexibility of adjusting according to practice needs 

• Is wanting to augment their ability to answer patient questions surrounding topical product selection and application sequence

Learning Objectives

Understand the key pathogenic processes which contribute to acne lesion formation

Review the role and benefit of skin barrier support in acne management

Explore the structure, nomenclature, and evidence-based use of ceramide-containing cosmeceuticals in managing acne

Review the goals of skin cleansing, the various classes of skin cleansers, and roles of specialty cleansing products

Identify which cleanser types are best for use in acne management

Understand the recommended, and research-based, frequency of facial skin cleansing

Review the various types of moisturizing ingredients and serums, and their role in acne

Recognize factors leading to the development of acne-associated post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and approaches toward its management  

Understand the role of toners, facial masks, and oil-absorbing ingredients/products in managing acne

Review research surrounding established & emerging cosmeceuticals used in acne treatment

Identify key categories of cosmeceuticals used in acne treatment, including skin cleansing, moisturizing, and those offering anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, sebum-reducing, and hyperpigmentation-reducing effects

Describe the method of simple patch testing of newly introduced topical products

Identify the key categories of cosmeceutical products, and key ingredients, for use in various acne-associated clinical scenarios, including for excess sebum, sensitive skin, inflammatory lesion management, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Understand the sequence in which various topical products can be applied to facial skin according to each clinical scenario, and the rationale behind such sequence

Review the evidence surrounding the use of key product types, and specific cosmeceutical ingredients, within the context of a given protocol  

Identify resources available to those with sensitive skin to aid in selecting suitable topical formulations

Understand the research characterizing the experience of dermatoses relating to the wearing of protective facial masks, and measures to reduce such occurrence

Identify approaches toward makeup selection and cosmetic camouflage in acne care, including research studies exploring their integration into acne management

Recognize the typical concentrations of common cosmeceutical ingredients in topical products

Understand the benefits and limitations surrounding the use of comedogenicity scales