Acne Drugs Market Size, Share, Industry, Forecast and outlook (2024-2031)

Global Acne Drugs Market is segmented By Type (Comedonal, Inflammatory, Cystic, Postsurgical/wound), By Therapeutic Class (Retinoid, Antibiotic, Hormonal Agent, Combination, Others), By Route of Administration (Topical, Oral, Injectable), By Distribution Channel (Retail Store, Pharmacy & Drug Store, Online Stores), By Region (North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2024-2031

Acne Drugs Market Overview

The Global Acne Drugs Market is estimated to reach at high CAGR  during the forecast period (2024-2031). 

Acne drugs refer to the medicines used for healing a dermatological infection distinguished by the inflammation in the hair follicles on the skin. It is usually produced by oily skin, hormonal imbalance, and accumulation of dead skin cells, bacteria, stress, and intake, excessive consumption of sugars, inadequate water salts, or carbohydrates. It affected more than 9.4 million people worldwide.

Acne Drugs Market Scope

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Acne Drugs Market Dynamics

The prevalence of acne diseases drives the global acne drugs market growth. Moreover, other factors that fuel the market include an unhealthy urban lifestyle and potent acne medications in the pipeline.

Increasing prevalence and severity of acne globally will drive the global market

Increasing prevalence and severity of acne globally will drive the market over the projection years. Acne vulgaris is the most common skin problem amongst the teenaged population, with women being affected at higher rates than men. According to the Global Burden of Disease study, acne vulgaris affects approximately 85% of young adults aged between 12–25 years.

The multifactorial disease of the pilosebaceous unit, acne vulgaris, has been found to exert huge psychosocial effects on adult female patients. The growing numbers of dermatology visits in various countries show. The significant morbidity of acne has propelled research on the pathological factors underlying promising acne therapies worldwide. Researchers' relentless efforts to unveil novel drug delivery systems have focused on reducing the systemic side effects of drugs administered through parenteral or oral routes. This factor constitutes the evolving dynamics of the acne drugs market.

Unhygienic lifestyle and excessive production of oil from sebaceous glands is driving the market growth

The fluctuating hormone levels, unhygienic lifestyle, and excessive oil production from sebaceous glands have increased the prevalence of acne, thereby positively affecting the market growth. In addition, western countries are more prone to acne due to the population’s dietary regimen characterized by high amounts of sugar, refined grains, high protein, and high-fat dairy products, hence boosting the market growth.

Statistics acquired from acnetreatment.org.uk have revealed that 92% of patients suffering from acne have felt depression while 14% have felt suicidal tendencies. This factor creates immediate demand for acne treatments, which is expected to fuel revenues in the global acne drug market..

Risks associated with the use of anti-acne drugs is likely to hinder the market growth

However, Off-label use of anti-acne drugs such as Diane-35 as birth-control measures may lead to severe consequences such as breast cancer and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Additionally, adverse effects associated with these drugs, such as nausea, high blood pressure, and congenital disabilities (as in the case of isotretinoin), continue to restrain the market.  

COVID-19 Impact Analysis on Acne Drugs Market

The pandemic impacts the acne drugs market as most nations adopted lockdown to oppose the pandemic. This pandemic has interrupted growth in many economies over various regions. The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized healthcare systems worldwide, and many dermatology clinics are no longer open for public assistance, owing to safety. Several clinics and hospitals have been transformed into COVID-19 centers using pandemic-designated hospital arrangements to treat and isolate patients with COVID-19. Furthermore, due to lockdown, many patients cannot visit dermatology clinics and pharmacies to pick up medicines. These factors are hampering the growth of the market in the forecast period.

Acne Drugs Market Segmentation Analysis

The inflammatory acne segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period (2021-2028)    

Inflammatory acne is a condition that occurs when pores are deeply clogged, resulting in swelling and redness. Bacterial infection may further aggravate this condition. As an inflammatory breakout develops, more and more oil flows into your pores, allowing acne-causing bacteria (sometimes including Propionibacterium acnes or P. acnes) to flourish beneath the plug. This factor adds pressure to the pore, eventually breaking down and releasing bacteria into the surrounding skin. Whether mild to severe, all inflammatory acne breakouts start as a small pore blockage called a microcomedo. These blockages are minor than can be seen by the naked eye, but they eventually turn into that inflamed pimple you see on the skin. That's because that tiny plug stops up the opening of the pore.

Cystic acne is the most severe form and affects relatively fewer people.OTC drugs are not usually strong enough for treating cystic acne. Post-surgical/wound acne occurs as a consequence of bacterial infection at the site of wound/surgery. This acne most often affects adolescents and young adults, with an estimated 80 percent of people between 11 and 30 years of age experiencing acne at some point. In 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that acne was the top reason people visited a dermatologist.

Retinoid segments are expected to dominate the acne drugs market, by therapeutic class, during the forecast period  

Retinoids dominated the therapeutic classes. Retinoids are a class of chemically derived medications derived from vitamin A. Retinoids regulate several transcription factors like RXR and RAR located within the nucleus of various cells. Retinoids reduce the inflammation and restore the normal epidermal differentiation that is absent in psoriatic lesions. Retinoids are very helpful for many common skin problems but are not without risks like dryness and irritation, changes in skin color, redness, blistering, swelling, and others. Furthermore, retinoids are also used to treat pigmentary disorders like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, actinic lentiginous, and melasma.

The increasing burden associated with acne leads patients to seek professional help in the form of prescription treatments. This is further expected to boost the growth of the segment. It is observed that dermatologists prefer to treat skin problems through less invasive procedures or topical applications compared with surgical methods.

Antibiotics are often used to treat acne since they help decrease bacteria and encompass the pilosebaceous unit, consisting of a sebaceous gland and hair follicle. Acne is caused by the effects of hormones on this unit. Precisely, the follicle becomes obstructed, and an excess of normal skin bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes, destroys the lining of the follicle. This process allows the follicular material to enter the dermis, causing an inflammatory response. Antibiotics work by several mechanisms. The most prominent mechanism is the decrease in the number of bacteria in and around the follicle. Antibiotics also work by decreasing the irritating chemicals produced by white blood cells. Antibiotics reduce the collection of free fatty acids in the sebum, also reducing the inflammatory response. This factor is driving the growth of the segment in the forecast period.

Global Acne Drugs Market Geographical Share

North America region holds the largest market share in the global acne drugs market

North America dominates the market due to lifestyle changes, rising disease incidence, and easy availability of products. In addition, more informed decision-making, better patient-physician relationships, and well-documented procedures lead to increasing demand for treatments for face and skin-related problems. This has been driving the adoption of several less painful aesthetic combination therapy methods. Further, growing demand for faster treatments and faster results are factors anticipated to drive demand in the region.

Factors such as hormonal changes that occur with hereditary aspects, puberty, and sedentary lifestyles are prevalent in the 10-16 years of age. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, almost 100% of all teenagers go through occasional acne breakouts. These factors are driving the growth of the market in the region.

Acne Drugs Companies and Competitive Landscape

The acne drugs market is moderately competitive with presence of local as well as global companies.  Some of the key players which are contributing to the growth of the market include Johnson & Johnson, Allergan plc, Galderma S.A., Reckitt Benckiser Group, Guthy-Renker, Stiefel Laboratories, Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, China Kouting Group Limited, Medical Materials & Accessories among others. The major players are adopting several growth strategies such as product launches, acquisitions, and collaborations, which are contributing to the growth of the acne drugs market globally.    

Acne Drugs Market Key Companies to Watch

Allergan plc

Overview: Allergan PLC manufactures specialty pharmaceuticals. The Company develops, manufactures, and distributes generic, brand, and over-the-counter products. Allergan offers its pharmaceutical drugs around the world. The Company operates through three segments: US Specialized Therapeutics, US General Medicine, and International. The US Specialized Therapeutics segment includes sales relating to branded products within the United States, including Medical Aesthetics, Medical Dermatology, Eye Care, Neurosciences, and Urology therapeutic products. The US General Medicine segment includes sales relating to branded products within the United States that do not fall into the US Specialized Therapeutics business units, including Central Nervous System, Gastrointestinal, Women's Health, Anti-Infectives and Diversified Brands. The International segment includes sales relating to products sold outside the United States. Within its US Specialized Therapeutics, US General Medicine and International operations, the Company sells its brand and aesthetic pharmaceutical products primarily to drug wholesalers, retailers, and distributors, including national retail drug and food store chains, hospitals, clinics, mail-order retailers, government agencies and managed healthcare providers, such as health maintenance organizations and other institutions.

Product Portfolio: The Company’s portfolio comprised of medical aesthetics, eye care, central nervous system and gastroenterology, the company also manufacturing and commercializing branded pharmaceutical, device, biologic, surgical and regenerative medicine products for patients around the world.

Key Development: In March 2019, Allergan acquired Envy Medical Inc. This deal will help Allergan reinforce their goal towards providing customers with enhanced skin care solutions. Envy medical technology used in skin resurfacing procedures like Dermalinfusion, which is a non-surgical, non-invasive skin resurfacing system will immensely help Allergan gain a strong presence in the acne market.