A comparative study of 30% salicylic acid peel and 50% glycolic acid peel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris

Acne vulgaris is a common dermatological condition that significantly impacts patients’ quality of life. Salicylic acid (SA) and glycolic acid (GA) are two common chemical peels used to treat mild to moderate acne. However, direct comparisons of their efficacy and safety are limited. With this background, we aimed to compare the effectiveness of Salicylic acid peel 30% and Glycolic acid peel 50% in patient with mild to moderate Acne vulgaris in our region with cultural variations and skin reactions to these treatments. A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 50 participants with mild to moderate acne. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 30% SA peel or 50% GA peel at two-week intervals for a total of five sessions. Acne severity and numbers were assessed during each session. Treatment effectiveness and adverse effects were evaluated. Patients in both groups demonstrated significant reductions in acne at the end of the session. The SA group showed a more rapid reduction in inflammatory lesions and numbers in acne. On comparing SA and GA we found statistical significance at week 6 (0.0327) and week 8 (0.0450). Adverse effects such as burning, itching, redness and scaling were noted in both groups. Both 30% salicylic acid and 50% glycolic acid peels are effective and safe for treating mild to moderate acne vulgaris. The choice of peel should be guided by the predominant clinical presentation and individual patient needs, with SA being preferable for active inflammatory lesions.