U.S. Acne Treatment Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product Type (Retinoids, Antibiotics, Isotretinoin, and Others), By Treatment Modality (Oral and Topical), By Age Group (10 to 17, 18 to 44, 45 to 64, and 65 and Above), By Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies and Retail Pharmacies), and Regional Forecast, 2022-2029

The U.S. acne treatment market size was valued at USD 4.27 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow from USD 4.50 billion in 2022 to USD 6.12 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period. Based on our analysis, the U.S. market exhibited a decline of 5.8% in 2020 as compared to 2019. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with acne treatment experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Acne is a skin condition that occurs due to the plugging of hair follicles with sebum, oil, dirt, and dead skin cells. According to the published articles, acne is the most common disease in the U.S., it affects an estimated 80% of the total population at some stage of life. The rising prevalence of acne in the U.S. population and the introduction of novel acne drugs to cater to the rising demand are anticipated to propel market growth. For instance, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, acne is the most common skin condition in the U.S., affecting up to 50 million Americans annually.

Moreover, growing awareness of treating acne among the affected population and increasing adoption of cosmeceuticals as a supportive treatment are key factors anticipated to increase the demand for products treating acne. This factor, coupled with the increasing patient population suffering from acne, is projected to augment the market growth. Also, adequate reimbursement policies for the treatment of skin conditions, such as psoriasis, and a rising shift toward telemedicine are driving the market growth during the forecast period.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Decline in Patient Visits Amid Pandemic to Negatively Impact Growth of the U.S. Acne Treatment Market

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had impaired this market. Postponement of most services across treatment of acne in the U.S. and limited availability of skin treatment products were some of the factors leading to a decline in the revenue generated by market players in 2020. For instance, Almirall, S.A. reported a decline of 19.6% in revenue of its dermatology segment during the financial year 2019-2020. Moreover, Johnson and Johnson Services, Inc. reported a decline of 3.1% in revenue of its skin health segment during the financial year 2019-2020.

However, decline in the first half of 2020 was further compensated by a shift of physicians and patients toward telehealth services. Due to these factors, the market is expected to grow, combined with reforms in a few reimbursement policies by the U.S. government for telehealth to support treatment of acne. This factor is expected to reduce the out-of-pocket expenditure, promoting patients to avail treatment for acne, thereby bringing the growth rate back to the pre-pandemic levels.

LATEST TRENDS

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Increasing Adoption of Teledermatology by Patients Along with Favorable Government Regulations to Foster Market Growth

Various medical associations, along with the U.S. government, have observed telemedicine as an effective model for diagnosing and treating patients with acne.

• For instance, according to the research published by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, the number of teledermatology consultations increased from 263 consultations per year to 21,385 per year during the lockdown period.


• Moreover, in 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidelines regarding the use of telehealth for high-quality patient care during the pandemic.

Thus, such recommendations by medical organizations and favorable reimbursement for telemedicine have led to a rapid shift of patients toward this model. Also, key market players are engaged in initiatives to introduce in-home diagnostics and consultation in dermatology, which is expected to support market growth. Moreover, specialization in treatment of acne, among other skin conditions, is one of the key trends anticipated to cater to the rising need for personalized medicine in treatment of acne. For instance, in 2021, LifeMD, Inc., a leader in direct-to-patient telehealth services, announced its successful launch of NavaMD. The NavaMD is a personalized teledermatology brand clinic, offering services to patients across all 50 states.

DRIVING FACTORS

Growing Prevalence of Acne along with Introduction of Novel Acne Products to Surge Demand for Treatment of Acne

The increasing number of patients in the U.S. with several skin disorders, such as inflammatory acne psoriasis, exerts a huge economic burden on the country's healthcare system. The growing prevalence of these conditions is anticipated to surge the demand for treatment products for acne, including retinoids, antibiotics, isotretinoin, and others.

• For instance, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne vulgaris is the most common skin disorder encountered in a dermatology practice in the U.S., affecting more than 50 million individuals in the U.S. Every year and approximately 85% of teenagers and adults in the country suffer from the condition.

Thus, the increasing economic burden of skin disorders, such as acne vulgaris, has encouraged key companies operating in the market to launch products for the treatment of acne, among other skin-related diseases.

• For instance, in November 2021, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced the launch of WINLEVI (clascoterone) cream 1% in the U.S. for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older.

Moreover, initiatives by the government such as favorable reimbursement policies for treatment of acne in the U.S. are improving the flow of patients toward skin therapy. It will subsequently increase the number of patients undergoing treatment and support the market growth in the near future.

• For instance, according to an article published by GoodRx, Inc., skin conditions covered by Medicare cover up to 80% of the treatment cost. The coverage makes skin treatment affordable to the U.S. patient population improving adoption rates for the treatment of acne, thereby bolstering the U.S. acne treatment market growth.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Side Effects Associated with Acne Treatment Products Along with High Out of Pocket Expenditure to Restrict Market Growth

The introduction of advanced services such as teledermatology and implementation of various healthcare reforms are some of the key factors driving the market growth in the country. However, frequent side effects in acne treatment with the use of OTC products have been observed across a large patient pool in the U.S.

• For instance, according to a patient study published in the Journal of International Medical Research, more than 45% of the patients discontinued therapy before the scheduled time due to the unresponsiveness and side effects associated with products used in treatment of acne. Approximately 37% of patients discontinued using products for acne treatment due to the side effects.


• Moreover, the American Academy of Dermatology published the cost of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs such as benzoyl peroxide to be around USD 30 to USD 60 per month. Also, prescription drugs such as oral antibiotics and topical creams cost around USD 45 to USD 200 per month. The high costs of treatment products for acne are responsible for shifting patients from medication to other treatment alternatives such as surgical procedures.

This factor results in the reduction of patient pool availing acne treatment, which is restricting the market growth.

SEGMENTATION

By Product Type Analysis

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Increasing Prevalence of Acne Vulgaris and Convenient Treatment Options to Propel Segmental Growth

According to product type, the market is segmented into retinoids, antibiotics, isotretinoin, and others.

The antibiotics segment held a dominant share in 2021. Some of the major factors attributing to the dominance of this segment are the preference of dermatologists towards prescribing antibiotics and product availability is expected to fuel the segment growth.

The retinoids segment is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. The segment's rapid growth is attributed to distinct benefits offered by retinoids, such as reduction in inflammation resulting in the shift of patients towards the segment. Moreover, the underutilization of retinoids in treatment of acne provides the potential for growth of the segment due to the rising demand for treatment of acne during the study period

By Treatment Modality Analysis

Limited Side Effects Associated with Topical Treatment to Augment Market Growth

Based on treatment modality, the market is segmented into topical and oral.

The topical segment is projected to grow with the highest CAGR during the study period. Some of the key factors attributed to the highest growth of this segment are fewer incidence of side effects associated with acne treatment alongside the increasing introduction of new products by key manufacturers. Moreover, adequate reimbursement policies for topical products in treatment of acne are anticipated to grow the segment.

On the other hand, the oral segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period due to higher acceptance of modality among specialists and patients for acne treatment, owing to its clinical superiorities compared to other modes of treatment.

• For instance, according to the article published by Behance, Americans suffering from severe acne were estimated to be nearly 20 million. The preferred treatment was found to be oral antibiotics.

The convenience of oral therapy and physicians' prescription preference are some primary reasons owing to the dominance of the segment.

By Age Group Analysis

Presence of Large Patient Pool under Private Insurance Coverage Led to Market Dominance

Based on age group, the market is categorized into 10 to 17, 18 to 44, 45 to 64, and 65 and above.

The 18 to 44 segment held a dominant share of the market in 2021 primarily due to hormonal changes during puberty leading to various acne conditions. Moreover, changing lifestyle in the U.S. is a factor supporting the segment's growth.

• For instance, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, in the U.S., the prevalence of acne in females aged between 20 to 29 is approximately 50.0% and 42.0% in male.

Furthermore, the 10 to 17 segment is expected to grow at a high CAGR due to the rising awareness of treatment for acne among teenage patients in the U.S. coupled with key market players focusing on product launches for acne and associated skin treatment conditions.  

By Distribution Channel Analysis

Among distribution channel, the market is segmented into hospital pharmacies and retail pharmacies.

The retail pharmacy segment dominated the market in 2021 with the lion’s share. The segment's dominance is attributed to the increasing preference of patients due to product choice and brand preference. Moreover, ease of availability through retail model catering to patient needs and a large number of OTC drugs approved for treatment of acne in the U.S. are anticipated to bolster the segment's growth.

Also, the online distribution channel is adopted by most retail pharmacies and holds a significant share in the retail segment. Increasing adoption of teledermatology has given rise to the development of a hybrid online business model that provides consultation, online prescriptions, and home-delivered medication through the same channel. The increasing adoption of online pharmacies and patient convenience is anticipated to effectively cater to the rising demand, thereby supporting the retail segment's growth.

The hospital pharmacies segment is projected to grow over the forecast period, owing to the increasing number of skin specialty departments in leading hospitals and the upsurge in the number of dermatologists practicing through these hospitals.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Presence of Several Market Players Across U.S. Catering to Acne Patients Led to Fragmentation of Market

The market's competitive landscape consists of large, mid-size, and small manufacturers that provide several types of products for the treatment of acne. Major players, such as GALDERMA and Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc., operated as the largest private companies in the U.S. as per the acne treatment market statistics in 2021, owing to their strong direct presence across different states of the U.S. and their robust product portfolio. Moreover, ongoing growth strategies such as partnerships are one of the primary reasons for their dominance in the market.

• For instance, in June 2021, GALDERMA and Sol-Gel Technologies, Ltd., signed two exclusive 5-year license agreements for the commercialization of EPSOLAY and TWYNEO in the U.S. to commercialize Sol-Gel’s most advanced investigational drug products.

Also, market players are focusing on product launches to cater to the rising demand for products for treatment of acne and expand their consumer base in the U.S. For instance, in June 2020, Bausch Health Companies Inc. launched ARAZLO Lotion in the U.S. for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients of nine years of age and older.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Bausch Health Companies Inc. (Canada)


• GALDERMA (Switzerland)


• Pfizer Inc. (U.S.)


• Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. (U.S.)


• GlaxoSmithKline Plc (U.K.)


• Allergan (Ireland)


• Mayne Pharma Group Limited (Australia)


• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (India)


• Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC (U.K.)


• Padagis (U.S.)


• Almirall, S.A (Spain)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• August 2021 – Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced its partnership with Cassiopea SpA for exclusive distribution rights of Winlevi (clascoterone cream 1%) in the U.S. and Canada. The brand has approval for usage in the treatment of acne for patients of 12 years and above.


• July 2021 – Sol-Gel Technologies announced the approval of its Twyneo cream by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat acne vulgaris. The company owns a patent on the brand’s formulation containing tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide in silica-based microcapsules. The brand is approved for use in patients nine years old and above.

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of U.S. Acne Treatment Market

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The U.S. acne treatment market research report provides a granular overview of the industry by performing corporate analysis and accurate data. It focuses on key aspects such as growth rates, leading market players, industry trends, product type, treatment modality, and age. Besides this, it offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the aforementioned factors, the report analyzes and understands several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market in recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation