What are some of the main medical treatments for acne vulgaris?

The current treatments for acne vulgaris consists of three approaches:^[1]

1. Topicals treatments (e.g., antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, dapsone, retinoids, or azelaic acid)
2. Oral treatments (e.g., antibiotics, hormonal agents, and the current gold standard isotretinoin)
3. Physical interventions (e.g., chemical peels, microneedling, and laser therapy)

The goal of treatment is to reduce the leading causes of acne vulgaris: excess sebum and keratin production, increased inflammation, and overgrowth of Cutibacterium acnes, the main bacterial species responsible for acne.