Ever since it was discovered that acne is an androgenmediated disorder considerable effort has been made by dermatologists and  the pharmaceutical industry to develop an  active  topical  anti-androgen which  has  no systemic effect. There have been many studies in man which on the whole have been  disappointing - although recent   studies   with   topically    applied apropylmesterolone seem interesting.

Although some preparations in certain bases have been shown to have some  antiseborrhoeic  effect, in  a small  number of patients there is as yet no commercially available preparation.

There are  several  reasons for this. The topically applied anti-androgen under study may not be relevant; one of its metabolites could be more so. In addition, the formulation may not adequately penetrate the sebaceous system; certain bacteria metabolize steroid hormones and therefore some human cutaneous microflora could metabolize and so inactivate the drug.