Acne vulgaris can be treated with a variety of agents that are selected to address the pathogenic factors assumed to be responsible for the type and degree of manifested acne lesions. Monotherapy and combination therapy regimens are both useful. Topical agents are generally used as first-line therapy and include retinoids, antibiotic preparations (eg, erythromycin and clindamycin), benzoyl peroxide (BPO), alpha and beta hydroxy acids (eg, glycolic and salicylic acid preparations), and azelaic acid. Systemic therapies are initiated in patients with moderate to severe inflammatory acne that does not respond to topical therapy.