Table 2

Summary of relevant characteristics of included studies

StudiesPublication yearStudy designCountrySample sizeWomen
(%)
Fitzpatrick skin typeAcne severityInterventionsMain outcomesFollow-up (weeks)
Abdel et al 10 2015Single-centre, double-blind, split-face RCT.Egypt2085III, IV, VMild to moderate25% TCA versus 30% SA (in hydroethanolic vehicle)
  • Percentage of total/good/fair/poor improvement in total lesions.

  • Percentage of total/good/fair/poor improvement in non-inflammatory lesions.

  • Percentage of total/good/fair/poor improvement in inflammatory lesions.

  • Reduction of lesion counts.

  • Adverse events.

10
Alba et al 11 2017Single-centre, single-blind RCT.Brazil2241II, III, IV, VIMild to moderate10% SA (in cream gel) versus phototherapy
  • Comedone counts.

  • Papule counts.

  • Pustule counts.

10
Bae et al 12 2013Single-centre, single-blind, split-face RCT.Korea130III or IVMild to moderate30% SA versus JS
  • Number of non-inflammatory lesions.

  • Number of inflammatory lesions.

  • Self-reported good/moderate/mild/no improvement in all lesions.

  • Adverse events.

8
Dayal et al 13 2017Single-centre, single-blind RCT.India4035N/AMild to moderate30% SA versus JS.
  • Comedone counts.

  • Overall percentage decrease in mean comedone counts.

  • Papule counts.

  • Overall percentage decrease in mean papule counts.

  • Pustule counts.

  • Overall percentage decrease in mean pustule counts.

  • MAS.

  • Percentage decrease in mean MAS.

  • Percentage of good/fair/poor response.

  • Adverse events.

12
EI Refaei et al 14 2015Single-centre, open-label RCT.Egypt4080I, II, III, IVMild to very severe20% SA+10% MA (in ethyl alcohol vehicle) versus 35% GA (in distilled water)
  • Comedone counts.

  • Papule counts.

  • Pustule counts.

  • Percentage of improvement in comedones/papules/pustules/the total acne score.

  • Adverse events.

20
Ilknur et al 8 2010Single-centre, single-blind, split-face RCT.Turkey30N/AII, IIIMild to moderateGA (from 20% to 70%) versus AFA (from 20% to 60%)
  • Non-inflammatory lesion counts.

  • Inflammatory lesion counts.

  • Patients’ choice for future treatment.

  • Adverse events.

24
Jaffary et al 15 2016Multi-centre, single-blind RCT.Iran8692N/AMild to moderate30% SA (in alcohol vehicle) versus 50% PA (in hydro alcoholic vehicle)
  • Comedone counts.

  • Papule counts.

  • Pustule counts.

  • Percentage of excellent/good/fair/poor improvement of all lesions.

  • Acne Severity Index.

  • Percentage of patient satisfaction.

  • Adverse events.

8
Kaminaka et al 16 2014Single-centre, double-blind, split-face RCT.Japan2564N/AModerate to severe40% GA versus placebo (hydrochloric acid in polyethylene glycol vehicle)
  • Non-inflammatory lesion counts.

  • Inflammatory lesion counts.

  • Total lesion counts.

  • Percentage of excellent/good/fair/bad improvement in all lesions.

  • Bioengineering measurements.

  • Adverse events.

10
Kessler et al 19 2008Single-centre, double-blind, split-face RCT.USA2065N/AMild to moderate30% GA versus 30% SA
  • Mean number of all lesions.

  • Reduction of all lesions.

  • Percentage of good/fair/poor improvement in all lesions.

  • Self-reported overall improvement.

  • Adverse events.

20
Kim et al 20 1999Single-centre, single-blind, split-face RCT.Korea2684.6III, IVMild to moderate70% GA versus JS (resorcinol, salicylic acid, lactic acid in ethanol)
  • Percentage of patients who achieved improvement in acne scores of 0.5 or more.

  • Self-reported overall improvement.

  • Patients’ choice for future treatment.

  • Adverse events.

8
Leheta21 2009Single-centre, single-blind, RCT.Egypt45N/AII, III, IVMild to moderate20% TCA versus PDL
  • Acne severity score.

  • Mean remission period.

  • Percentage of marked/moderate response.

  • Self-reported cost-effectiveness ratio.

  • Adverse events.

48
Levesque et al 9 2011Single-centre, open-label, split-face RCT.USA2095N/AN/ALHA (5% or 10%) versus SA (20% or 30%)
  • Reduction of non-inflammatory lesions.

  • Inflammatory lesion counts.

  • Global acne assessment.

  • Adverse events.

14
  • AFA, amino fruit acid; GA, glycolic acid; JS, Jessner’s solution; LHA, lipohydroxy acid; MA, mandelic acid; MAS, Michaelson Acne Score; N/A, not available; PA, pyruvic acid; PDL, pulsed dye laser; RCT, randomised controlled trial; SA, salicylic acid: TCA, trichloroacetic acid.