The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effectiveness, safety profile, and post-acne sequelae of 0.025% retinoic acid cream versus 0.1% adapalene cream for mild acne vulgaris in individuals with Fitzpatrick skin types III-V.

Main research questions are:

1. How does 0.025% retinoic acid cream compare to 0.1% adapalene cream in reducing the total number of acne lesions in patients with mild acne vulgaris and Fitzpatrick skin types III-V?
2. What is the severity of adverse effects that occur on the facial side treated with 0.1% adapalene cream and the facial side treated with 0.025% retinoic acid cream in patients with mild acne vulgaris and Fitzpatrick skin types III-V?
3. What is the severity of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) that occurs on the facial side treated with 0.1% adapalene cream and the facial side treated with 0.025% retinoic acid cream in patients with mild acne vulgaris and Fitzpatrick skin types III-V?
4. What is the severity of post-acne erythema (PAE) that occurs on the facial side treated with 0.1% adapalene cream and the facial side treated with 0.025% retinoic acid cream in patients with mild acne vulgaris and Fitzpatrick skin types III-V?
5. What is the quantity, type, and severity of post-acne scarring (PAS) that occurs on the facial side treated with 0.1% adapalene cream and the facial side treated with 0.025% retinoic acid cream in patients with mild acne vulgaris and Fitzpatrick skin types III-V?

Participants will:

• Undergo baseline assessments, including acne lesion count, hyperpigmentation index, Clinician Erythema Assessment (CEA) scale, and post-acne scarring grading on each facial side.
• Apply 0.025% retinoic acid cream and 0.1% adapalene cream on different facial sides as per randomization, every night for 12 weeks.
• Record daily adverse effects per facial side, lesion manipulation frequency, and sun exposure duration
• Attend follow-up visits every 4 weeks for acne lesion count, hyperpigmentation index, CEA scale, post-acne scarring grading, and assessment of adverse effect severity.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of mild acne vulgaris, defined as fewer than 20 comedonal lesions, fewer than 15 inflammatory lesions, or a total lesion count of 30 or less, with a difference in total lesion count between the two sides of the face ≤ 5 lesions.
• Minimum age of 15 years.
• Indonesian individuals with Fitzpatrick skin types III-V.
• Willing to participate in the study by signing an informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of routine application of topical agents containing active ingredients on the face within the past 2 weeks.
• History of oral antibiotic use within the past 2 weeks.
• History of systemic retinoid use within the past 3 months.
• Currently pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Using oral contraceptives at the time of assessment.
• Presence of other dermatologic conditions on the face aside from acne vulgaris.
• Having sensitive facial skin classified as rosacea-type, stinging-type, or allergic-type.
• Unwilling to discontinue topical active agent therapy that has been used routinely for at least 2 weeks prior to study participation.