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.

Observations: 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.

Conclusion: 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.