Antiacne Preparation

To the Editor.—  Recently, there has been considerable advertisement for an antiacne commerical preparation (Acne-Statin) in which the active ingredients are triclosan, methylparaben, and propylparaben. We report the results of tests using the material against Propionobacterium acnes, the probable pathogenic organism in acne vulgaris,¹ and we include a photograph of colonies of facial organisms before and after application of this product (Figure).Using 6-mm filter paper disks that had been soaked in Acne-Statin formulation, and placing each disk on an agar plate that had been inoculated with a viable P acnes suspension, we found no inhibition of growth around four disks, and < 4-mm inhibition of growth around another four disks after anaerobic incubation at 37 C for five days.Infusion agar plate with 1% dextrose smeared with suspension of viable P acnes after five days anaerobic incubation at 37 C. (A) Disk soaked in Acne-Statin. (B) Disk soaked