Exogenous inflammatory acne due to combined application of cosmetic and facial rubbing.

BACKGROUND

Exogenous acne refers to acneiform lesions due to external factors such as cosmetic agents, exposure to various oils, skin rubbing or friction or chloracne, now better called metabolizing acquired dioxin-induced skin hamartoma (MADISH). Here we report a new form of severe inflammatory exogenous acne due to the association of two factors: facial friction with cosmetic agents.

METHODS

A 15-, 17- and 19-year-old female presented at the department with severe inflammatory acne. In all cases, the face had been strongly rubbed in a compulsory manner in the previous weeks with cosmetic agents. The disease has not responded to various conventional acne treatments and was well controlled by a combination of oral corticosteroids and low-dose isotretinoin.

CONCLUSIONS

Because cosmetic face friction as a cosmetic care becomes more and more fashionable, dermatologists should be aware of this severe clinical condition, which can occur in patients without a personal history of acne.