Acne Drugs Market Report 2025

The acne drugs market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $6.09 billion in 2024 to $6.36 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to an increase in acne prevalence, rising population, strong economic growth increase in pharmaceutical expenditure, rise in disposable income, and increased healthcare expenditure.

The acne drugs market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.51 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to faster economic growth, rise in healthcare expenditure, high potential of emerging economies, increasing teenage population and sedentary lifestyles. Major trends in the forecast period include investing in narrow-spectrum antibiotics, developing combination therapies for acne treatment, investing in cannabis products consisting of cannabis oil, investing in partnerships to develop new drugs, and using social media to market acne treatment products.

A rise in disposable income among individuals is a significant factor driving growth in the acne drug market. This increase in disposable income typically results from a stronger economy, leading to higher wages and salaries, which in turn boosts healthcare spending. For example, in July 2023, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported a $7.3 billion increase in disposable personal income. This trend of rising disposable income and heightened spending on facial care products is expected to persist, further propelling the market during the forecast period.

The rising prevalence of acne is anticipated to drive growth in the acne drug market moving forward. Acne is a skin condition that arises when oil and dead skin cells block pores. Acne medications work by reducing inflammation, lowering oil production, and preventing clogged pores, ultimately enhancing the appearance of skin prone to acne. Acne is a widespread issue, affecting nearly 90% of individuals globally. For example, a report published by Click2Pharmacy in May 2022 indicated that over 34% of adults in the UK have experienced acne at some point, with 11.5% currently affected. This number increases to 24% among young adults. Consequently, the growing incidence of acne is fueling the expansion of the acne drug market.

The latest trend shaping the acne drug market is the adoption of combination therapy, involving the simultaneous use of two drugs with distinct mechanisms of action. Such combinations exhibit enhanced efficacy and improved adherence compared to monotherapy, which involves using a single drug in isolation. This approach combines a topical retinoid drug, effective in unclogging pores, with an antimicrobial drug utilized for treating infections in acne management. Examples of combination therapy include products such as Epiduo, Acanya, Ziana, and Benzamycin, manufactured by Galderma, Allergan, Medicis, and Atrix, respectively.

Leading companies operating in the acne drug market are actively engaged in developing advanced receptor inhibitor drugs and broadening their research into treatment advancements to gain a competitive edge in the burgeoning healthcare sector. Advanced receptor inhibitor drugs function by blocking the activity of specific receptors within the body. For instance, in September 2023, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., an India-based biopharmaceutical company, introduced (PR)WINLEVI (clascoterone cream 1% w/w). WINLEVI is formulated to mitigate the effects of acne hormones on the skin by disrupting the androgen cascade, departing from the topical approach in acne treatment that targets follicular hyperkeratinization, inflammation reduction, or antibacterial properties. While the precise mechanism of action of WINLEVI remains under study, it aims to suppress androgen receptor activities within sebaceous gland cells, thereby reducing sebum (oil) production and inflammatory cytokines associated with acne.

In May 2024, Lindus Health, a UK-based company known for conducting decentralized clinical trials with an emphasis on speed and efficiency across various therapeutic areas, partnered with Acinonyx Bio to initiate a cosmetic clinical trial for Acinonyx Bio's topical cream, ACX, designed to treat inflammatory acne. This trial will target patients with moderate to severe inflammatory acne and will utilize a decentralized approach, allowing participants to engage from their everyday environments. Acinonyx Bio, also based in the UK, is dedicated to developing innovative dermatological treatments.

Major companies operating in the acne drugs market include Johnson & Johnson, Galderma S.A., Almirall SA, Bausch Health Companies Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Reckitt Benckiser Group, Mayne Pharma Group Limited, Allergan Plc., Cipher Pharmaceuticals, Sol Gel Advanced Topical Therapy, Pfizer Inc., Novartis AG, Merck & Co. Inc., Amgen Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Daiichi Sankyo Company Limited, Sinopharm Group Co. Ltd, Mylan N.V., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Bayer AG, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Allergan, Cipla Inc., Zydus Cadila, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd, Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine, Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical, China Meheco Co Ltd, Huadong Medicine Co. Ltd., Ranbaxy Laboratories, Stiefel Laboratories, BIOCAD, Zentiva (Sanofi), Gedeon Richter Plc, Polpharma SA Pharmaceutical Works, Egis Group, Dermira Inc., Estee Lauder Inc., Nimue Skincare International.

North America was the largest region in the acne drugs market in 2024. Middle East is expected to be the largest growing region in the global acne drugs market during the forecast period. The regions covered in the acne drugs market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the acne drugs market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Canada, Spain.

Acne medications encompass pharmaceutical solutions designed to address issues related to acne scarring, blackheads, whiteheads, and more severe forms of the condition. These drugs operate by either targeting bacterial infections or reducing edema and oil production. Typically, a timeframe of four to eight weeks is required before prescription acne medications demonstrate efficacy. Complete resolution of acne may extend over several months or even years.

The primary categories of acne drugs include inflammatory and non-inflammatory variants. Inflammatory acne drugs are employed for the treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne. Key therapeutic classes comprise retinoids, antibiotics, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide. These medications find application across various end-user segments, including hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, drug stores, and ambulatory surgical centers.

The acne drugs market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides acne drugs market statistics, including acne drugs industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an acne drugs market share, detailed acne drugs market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the acne drugs industry. This acne drugs market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The acne drugs market consists of sales of retinoids, antibiotics, and diapsone. Values in this market are factory gate values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.