Chloroxylenol and zinc oxide containing cream (Nels cream (R)) vs. 5% benzoyl peroxide cream in the treatment of acne vulgaris. A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial

Forty-one subjects completed a double-blind controlled randomized study com paring the following: (i) Nels cream(R) (containing chloroxylenol and zinc oxide); (ii) 5% benzoyl peroxide cream; and (iii) the vehicle of the Nels c ream. Patients applied the medications twice daily for 8 weeks. At the end of the test period there was no significant difference in the reduction of inflammatory and noninflammatory lesion counts achieved by Nels cream and b enzoyl peroxide. Both creams proved superior to the vehicle. Efficacy gradi ng by subjects and investigators showed no significant difference between N els cream and benzoyl peroxide. However, side-effects such as peeling and d ryness caused by the treatment were significantly less in the Nels cream gr oup.