A randomized trial evaluating an unmedicated acne-concealing hydrogel patch on the appearance of acne and its psychological impact on quality of life

This study reports the results of a randomized, open-label, 10-day home-use clinical trial evaluating an unmedicated acne-concealing hydrogel patch. A total of 37 volunteers with at least one active pustule were enrolled, with acne lesions randomly assigned to either hydrogel patch treatment or an untreated control group. Clinical assessments of lesion size, severity, erythema, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) were conducted by an expert grader at baseline, Day 2, and Day 10. Acne-related quality of life (AQoL) was assessed at the beginning and end of the study. The results showed that the hydrogel patch group experienced a 35% reduction in lesion size and a 44% improvement in lesion severity as early as Day 2, with further improvements observed by Day 10. Treated lesions also demonstrated reduced erythema and a significantly lower risk of PIH compared with untreated controls. In addition, AQoL scores improved by 57% in the treatment group, highlighting the psychological benefits of acne concealment and lesion protection. Overall, the findings suggest that unmedicated hydrogel patches offer a safe, practical, and effective adjunct approach for managing acne while positively impacting patient quality of life.