Efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicines in mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial

This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluated individualized homeopathic medicines (IHMs) plus concomitant care versus placebo in 60 patients aged 18-50 with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris (GAGS 1-30) over 4 months, demonstrating superior reductions in primary outcome GAGS (mean difference -4.2, 95% CI -7.8 to -0.5, p=0.025, Cohen’s d=0.6), DLQI (-3.3, p=0.038, d=0.545), and near-significant CADI (-1.8, p=0.052), with effects confirmed by LMMs/BHMs (Group×Time p<0.001), sensitivity analyses (ITT/PP), and visualizations showing sharper declines in IHMs; top remedies were Thuja occidentalis, Natrum muriaticum, and Phosphorus, with no serious adverse events, supporting IHMs as a safe complementary option though larger multicenter trials with extended follow-up are needed.