U.S. Acne Treatment Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product Type (Retinoids, Antibiotics, Isotretinoin, and Others), By Treatment Modality (Oral and Topical), By Age Group (10 to 17, 18 to 44, 45 to 64, and 65 and Above), By Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies and Retail Pharmacies), and Country Forecast, 2023-2030

The U.S. acne treatment market size was valued at USD 5.00 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from USD 5.28 billion in 2023 to USD 7.27 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period.

Acne is a skin condition that occurs due to the plugging of hair follicles with sebum, oil, dirt, and dead skin cells. According to the published articles, acne is the most common disease in the U.S., and affects an estimated 80% of the total population at some stage of life. The rising prevalence of acne in the U.S. population and the introduction of novel acne drugs to cater to the rising demand are anticipated to propel market growth. For instance, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, acne is the most common skin condition in the U.S., affecting up to 50 million Americans annually.

Moreover, growing awareness of treating acne among the affected population and increasing adoption of cosmeceuticals as a supportive treatment are key factors anticipated to increase the demand for products treating acne. This factor, coupled with the increasing patient population suffering from acne, is projected to augment the market growth. Adequate reimbursement policies for the treatment of skin conditions, such as psoriasis, and a rising shift toward telemedicine are driving the market growth during the forecast period.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Decline in Patient Visits Amid Pandemic Negatively Impacted Growth of the Market 

The outbreak of the pandemic hampered the U.S. market. Factors such as adjournment of several procedures across treatment of acne in the U.S. and limited availability of skin treatment products declined revenue in 2020 generated by key companies. For instance, Almirall, S.A. reported a decline of 19.6% in revenue of its dermatology segment during the financial year 2019-2020. Moreover, Johnson and Johnson Services, Inc. reported a decline of 3.1% in revenue of its skin health segment during the financial year 2019-2020. However, patient visits to hospitals and clinics in 2021 started increasing as the restrictions imposed by governments were relaxed. In addition, the demand for drugs was high due to reopening of all the facilities in various regions. Furthermore, in 2022, the market was projected to grow at a significant CAGR over the forecast period.

LATEST TRENDS

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Increasing Adoption of Teledermatology by Patients Along with Favorable Government Regulations to Foster Market Growth

Various medical associations, along with the U.S. government, have observed telemedicine as an effective model for diagnosing and treating patients with acne.

• For instance, according to the research published by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, the number of teledermatology consultations increased from 263 consultations per year to 21,385 per year during the year 2020.


• Moreover, in 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidelines regarding the use of telehealth for high-quality patient care during the pandemic.

Therefore, promising endorsement for telemedicine by medical institutions resulted in adoption of this model by patients. Also, key market players are engaged in initiatives to introduce in-home diagnostics and consultation in dermatology, which is expected to support market growth. Moreover, specialization in treatment of acne, among other skin conditions, is one of the key trends anticipated to cater to the rising need for personalized medicine in treatment of acne. For instance, in 2021, LifeMD, Inc., a leader in direct-to-patient telehealth services, announced its successful launch of NavaMD. The NavaMD is a personalized teledermatology brand clinic, offering services to patients across all 50 states.

DRIVING FACTORS

Increasing Prevalence of Acne along with Introduction of Novel Acne Products to Surge Demand for Treatment of Acne

The increasing number of patients in the U.S. with several skin complaints, such as inflammatory acne psoriasis, exerts a significant financial liability on the nation's healthcare system. The growing prevalence of these conditions is anticipated to surge the demand for treatment products for acne, including retinoids, antibiotics, isotretinoin, and others.

• For instance, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne vulgaris is the most common skin disorder encountered in a dermatology practice in the U.S., affecting more than 50 million individuals in the U.S. every year and approximately 85% of teenagers and adults in the country suffer from the condition.

Thus, the rising financial burden of skin disorders, such as acne vulgaris, has encouraged key companies operating in the market to launch products for the treatment of acne, among other skin-related diseases.

• For instance, in May 2023, Crown, a privately-held global skincare company, launched PanOxyl Moisturizer to treat acne problems.

Moreover, initiatives by the government such as favorable reimbursement policies for treatment of acne in the U.S. are improving the patient population toward skin therapy. It will subsequently increase the number of patients undergoing treatment and support the market growth in the near future.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Side Effects Associated with Acne Treatment Products Along with High Out of Pocket Expenditure to Restrict Market Growth

The introduction of advanced services such as teledermatology and application of several healthcare restructurings are factors driving the market growth. However, frequent side effects in acne treatment with the use of OTC products have been witnessed through a large patient pool in the U.S.

• For instance, according to a patient study published in the Journal of International Medical Research in November 2022, more than 45% of the patients discontinued therapy before the scheduled time due to the unresponsiveness and side effects associated with products used in treatment of acne. Approximately 37% of patients discontinued using products for acne treatment due to the side effects.

This factor results in the reduction of patient pool availing acne treatment, which is restricting the U.S. acne treatment market growth.

SEGMENTATION

By Product Type Analysis

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Accessibility and Affordability of Antibiotics to Foster the Market Growth

According to product type, the market is segmented into retinoids, antibiotics, isotretinoin, and others.

The antibiotics segment held a dominant U.S. acne treatment market share in 2022. Some of the major factors attributing to the dominance of this segment are the preference of dermatologists toward prescribing antibiotics and product availability is expected to fuel the segment growth.

The retinoids segment is projected to grow rapidly during the estimated period. The segment's growth is credited to advantages offered by retinoids, such as reduction in inflammation causing the patients to shift toward the segment. Moreover, the underutilization of retinoids in treatment of acne provides the potential for growth of the segment due to the rising demand for treatment of acne during the study period.

By Treatment Modality Analysis

Limited Side Effects Associated with Topical Treatment to Augment Market Growth

Based on treatment modality, the market is segmented into topical and oral.

The topical segment is anticipated to progress with the highest CAGR during the forecast timeframe. Factors attributing to the growth of this segment are fewer incidence of side effects associated with acne treatment alongside the rising introduction of new products by significant production companies. Moreover, adequate reimbursement procedures for topical products in treatment of acne are anticipated to grow the segment.

The oral segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period due to higher acceptance of modality among specialists and patients for acne treatment, owing to its clinical superiorities compared to other modes of treatment.

• For instance, according to the article published by Behance, Americans suffering from severe acne were estimated to be nearly 20 million. The preferred treatment was found to be oral antibiotics.

The convenience of oral therapy and physicians' prescription preference are some primary reasons owing to the dominance of the segment.

By Age Group Analysis

Existence of Sizable Patient Pool Covered by Private Insurance Dominates Market

Based on age group, the market is categorized into 10 to 17, 18 to 44, 45 to 64, and 65 and above.

The 18 to 44 segment held a dominant share of the market in 2022 primarily due to hormonal changes during puberty leading to various acne conditions. Moreover, changing lifestyle in the U.S. is a factor supporting the segment's growth.

• For instance, as per the American Academy of Dermatology, in the U.S., the prevalence of acne in females aged between 20 to 29 is approximately 50.0% and 42.0% in male.

Furthermore, the 10 to 17 segment is expected to grow at a high CAGR due to the rising awareness of treatment for acne among teenage patients in the U.S. coupled with key market players focusing on product launches for acne and associated skin treatment conditions.  

By Distribution Channel Analysis

Rising Patient Preference toward Retail Pharmacies Support Market Growth

By distribution channel, the market is segmented into hospital pharmacies and retail pharmacies.

The retail pharmacies segment dominated the market in 2022 with the lion’s share. The segment's dominance is attributed to the increasing preference of patients due to product choice and brand preference. Moreover, ease of availability through retail models catering to patient needs and a large number of OTC drugs approved for treatment of acne in the U.S. are anticipated to bolster the segment's growth.

Also, the online distribution channel is adopted by most retail pharmacies and holds a significant share in the retail segment. Increasing adoption of teledermatology has given rise to the development of a hybrid online business model that provides consultation, online prescriptions, and home-delivered medication through the same channel. The increasing adoption of online pharmacies and patient convenience is anticipated to effectively cater to the rising demand, thereby supporting the retail segment's growth.

The hospital pharmacies segment is projected to grow over the forecast period, owing to the increasing number of skin specialty departments in leading hospitals and the upsurge in the number of dermatologists practicing through these hospitals.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Presence of Several Market Players across U.S. Catering to Acne Patients Led to Fragmentation of Market 

The market's competitive landscape consists of small, mid-size, and large manufacturers that provide several types of products for the treatment of acne. Large companies, such as GALDERMA and Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc., operated as the largest private companies in the U.S. as per the target market statistics in 2021, due to their substantial direct presence in several U.S states and their robust product portfolio. Moreover, ongoing growth strategies such as partnerships are one of the primary reasons for their dominance in the market.

• For instance, in June 2021, GALDERMA and Sol-Gel Technologies, Ltd., signed two exclusive 5-year license agreements for the commercialization of EPSOLAY and TWYNEO in the U.S. to commercialize Sol-Gel’s most advanced investigational drug products.

Also, market players are focusing on product launches to cater to the rising demand for products for treatment of acne and increase their customer base in the U.S. For instance, in June 2020, Bausch Health Companies Inc. launched ARAZLO Lotion in the U.S. for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients of nine years of age and older.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Bausch Health Companies Inc. (Canada)


• GALDERMA (Switzerland)


• Pfizer Inc. (U.S.)


• Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. (U.S.)


• GlaxoSmithKline Plc (U.K.)


• Allergan (Ireland)


• Mayne Pharma Group Limited (Australia)


• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (India)


• Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC (U.K.)


• Padagis (U.S.)


• Almirall, S.A (Spain)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• December 2022 - Beiersdorf acquired S-Biomedic and strengthened its capabilities in the field of acne treatment.


• March 2022 - Galderma announced the U.S. launch of its "Twyneo" Cream to treat facial acne.


• January 2022 - STRATA Skin Sciences, Inc. announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire assets related to Theravant Corporation’s TheraClear System. Theravant develops and markets a novel, FDA-cleared system for in-office treatment of many common forms of acne. This acquisition enables STRATA’s expansion into the acne treatment market.


• August 2021 - Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced its partnership with Cassiopea SpA for exclusive distribution rights of Winlevi (clascoterone cream 1%) in the U.S. and Canada. The brand has approval for usage in the treatment of acne for patients of 12 years and above.


• July 2021 – Sol-Gel Technologies announced the approval of its Twyneo cream by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat acne vulgaris. The company owns a patent on the brand’s formulation containing tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide in silica-based microcapsules. The brand is approved for use in patients nine years old and above.

REPORT COVERAGE

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The U.S. acne treatment market research report covers a detailed analysis and overview. It focuses on key aspects such as competition landscape, product type, treatment modality, age, and distribution channel. Besides this, it offers insights into the market drivers, market trends, market dynamics, COVID-19 impact on the market, and other key insights. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market in recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation