Acne is a chronic recurrent skin disorder associated with abnormal sebum secretion, hyperkeratosis of hair follicles, microbial imbalance, and inflammatory responses. The microbiome disruption mediated by Cutibacterium acnes is the core pathogenic factor. Traditional treatment regimens (e.g., antibiotics, combination therapies, phototherapy) can alleviate symptoms but may lead to antibiotic resistance and adverse reactions with prolonged use, leaving clinical needs unmet. Bacteriophages, as viruses that specifically infect bacteria, offer advantages such as host-targeting specificity, environmental friendliness, high safety, and low risk of inducing resistance, providing a novel alternative pathway for acne treatment. This article systematically reviews the pathogenesis of acne and the limitations of traditional therapies, with a focus on the biological characteristics of bacteriophages, therapeutic classifications (e.g., bacteriophage cocktail therapy, bacteriophage-antibiotic combination therapy), and preclinical and clinical research progress in acne treatment. It also analyzes core challenges in bacteriophage therapy, including incomplete regulatory frameworks, unclear pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic mechanisms, and insufficient toxicity evaluation. Studies demonstrate that bacteriophages exert therapeutic effects through mechanisms such as specific lysis of Cutibacterium acnes and inhibition of biofilm formation. Preclinical experiments and Phase I clinical trials have confirmed their safety and preliminary efficacy, but large-scale randomized controlled trials and mechanistic studies are still required to advance their clinical translation. Future efforts should focus on microbiome-based therapeutic strategies, improve regulatory and quality control systems, accelerate the translation of phage therapy from basic research to clinical application, and provide safer and more effective treatment options for acne patients.

Fengmei Peng, Yizhun Zhu, Shu Zhang, Xiaochuan Li, Xiaoqun Duan. Progress of Phage Therapy for Acne Vulgaris. Academic Journal of Medicine & Health Sciences (2026), Vol. 7, Issue 1: 40-45. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJMHS.2026.070106.

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