Linoleate in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Acne Vulgaris

Background: Acne vulgaris is a common disorder affecting 79 %- 95 % of the adolescent popula-tion. The choice of treatment depends on the severity, patients with mild to moderate acne should receive topical therapy such as azelaic acid. Rising antibiotic drug resistance consequent to the widespread use of topical antibiotics is causing concern and effective non-antibiotic treatments are needed. Objective: To compare the efficacy and side effects of topical azelaic acid cream 20% versus active lotion containing triethyl citrate and ethyl linoleate (TCEL) in treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Patients and Methods: This single, blinded, comparative, therapeutic study was done in the Department of Dermatology-Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq