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Acne and Rosacea Treatment Updates for 2026, With Lawrence Eichenfield, MD
This interview from the Maui Derm 2026 conference features Lawrence Eichenfield, MD, discussing takeaways from his talk ‘Acne and Rosacea: Update 2026.’
At the 2026 Maui Derm Hawaii conference, a session was presented titled ‘Acne and Rosacea: Update 2026,’ featuring a discussion of challenging case scenarios and new insights into acne and rosacea treatment paradigms.1,2
This session was presented by several speakers, 1 of whom was Lawrence F. Eichenfield, MD, chief of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego and professor of dermatology and pediatrics at the UC San Diego School of Medicine. Eichenfield sat down with HCPLive to discuss takeaways from his acne and rosacea talk.
“There have been some new data that have come up,” Eichenfield stated. “There are questions that have remained in relation to isotretinoin in patients that come up all the time in practice. So I went through some of the data on them, especially the new data.”
Eichenfield noted recent, well-designed studies have come out suggesting isotretinoin does not adversely impact height among pediatric patients, addressing longstanding concerns some have expressed regarding premature epiphyseal closure. He also touched on evidence supporting cumulative dosing, rather than daily dose intensity, as the key element affecting the likelihood of relapse or need for repeat courses.
Additionally, Eichenfield spoke about updates related to hormonal therapies in acne. In particular, he spoke on the evolving guidelines related to oral contraceptive use in teenage adolescents with acne. Eichenfield pointed to forthcoming recommendations suggesting avoidance of oral contraceptives for acne treatment in individuals under the age of 16 years until they are at least 2 years post-menarche, given considerations around bone mineral density and pubertal development.
“That's a balance of the need for the treatment of acne with things like bone mineral density, where 90% of that happens up to the adolescent time period, as well as general pubertal health,” Eichenfield said. “And there are exceptions that are made if there are other conditions [such as] abnormal uterine bleeding, [polycystic ovary syndrome] syndrome that might give a reason to use OCPs for acne, plus other conditions.”
In the therapeutic realm, Eichenfield reinforced the continued central role of topical medications, highlighting strong study findings supporting the implementation of triple-combination topical treatments as highly effective monotherapies. These drugs, he noted, may be capable of diminishing one’s reliance on oral antibiotics. He addressed concerns about antibiotic resistance, highlighting data suggesting benzoyl peroxide–containing combinations mitigate this risk.
Eichenfield also spoke about newer hormonal approaches, noting certain topical agents can reduce sebum production. He reaffirmed isotretinoin’s role as a reliable “backstop” therapy capable of attaining near-universal clearance in those with severe acne.
For more news on recent trial data and insights into various dermatologic diseases, view updates to coverage of the 2026 Maui Derm Conference.
The quotes used in this interview summary were edited for clarity.
Disclosures: Eichenfield previously reported receiving personal fees from Pfizer Inc; grant funding from AbbVie, Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Bausch + Lomb, Castle Biosciences, Dermavant Sciences Inc, Galderma SA, Pfizer Inc, Regeneron, and Sanofi SA and consulting for ASLAN Pharmaceuticals, AbbVie, Almirall, SA, Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc, Dermavant Sciences Inc, Galderma SA, Incyte Corporation, LEO Pharma A/S, Eli Lilly and Company, Ortho Dermatologics, Pfizer Inc, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Sanofi SA, and UCB; and serving on the board of directors of Forté Pharma.
References
Eichenfield L, Harper J, Baldwin H. Acne and Rosacea: Update 2026. Presented at: Maui Derm Hawaii 2026; January 25-29, 2026; Maui, Hawaii.
Picardo M, Eichenfield LF, Tan J. Acne and Rosacea. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017 Jan;7(Suppl 1):43-52. doi: 10.1007/s13555-016-0168-8. Epub 2017 Feb 1. PMID: 28150107; PMCID: PMC5289119.
