The Ultimate Cabtreo Megathread
Section 1: Introduction To Cabtreo - What is it?
Cabtreo, made in 2023 and published on the market in 2024, is the first and only FDA approved fixed-dose, triple combination acne treatment that contains three active ingredients: Clindamycin phosphate (1.2%), Adapalene (0.15%), Benzoyl peroxide (3.1%), and 4 inactive ingredients: carbomer homopolymer type C, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, purified water)
Section 2: Active Ingredients break down - How does it work?
Clindamycin phosphate
Clindamycin phosphate is one of the 3 active ingredients inside of Cabtreo, but what is it and what does it do?
- Clindamycin phosphate was created in 1966 by modifying the chemical structure of lincomycin. Clindamycin phosphate is a prescription topical antibiotic that is diagnosed by dermatologists for patients to fight acne vulgaris. Clindamycin binds to the 50s ribosomal subunit of bacteria, which stops its growth. Clindamycin is also an bacteriostatic which stops bacteria from reproducing and letting the immune system clear the rest of the bacteria, which inevitably calms skin redness and swelling, while also specifically targeting the main bacterium, Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) which is the main cause for inflammatory acne.
- Today, dermatologists pair clindamycin phosphate with benzoyl peroxide (one of the two other active ingredients inside of Cabtreo) which prevents C. acnes from developing resistance to the antibiotics, letting the patient have a higher chance on being acne free.
Clindamycin phosphate is one of the 3 active ingredients inside of Cabtreo, but what is it and what does it do?
- Clindamycin phosphate was created in 1966 by modifying the chemical structure of lincomycin. Clindamycin phosphate is a prescription topical antibiotic that is diagnosed by dermatologists for patients to fight acne vulgaris. Clindamycin binds to the 50s ribosomal subunit of bacteria, which stops its growth. Clindamycin is also an bacteriostatic which stops bacteria from reproducing and letting the immune system clear the rest of the bacteria, which inevitably calms skin redness and swelling, while also specifically targeting the main bacterium, Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) which is the main cause for inflammatory acne.
- Today, dermatologists pair clindamycin phosphate with benzoyl peroxide (one of the two other active ingredients inside of Cabtreo) which prevents C. acnes from developing resistance to the antibiotics, letting the patient have a higher chance on being acne free.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl Peroxide is one of the two other active ingredients inside of Cabtreo prior to clindamycin phosphate, but what is it exactly and what does it also do?
- Benzoyl Peroxide (BEN zoe ill per OX ide) originally created in 1858, kills of acne by preventing bacteria growing on your skin because of the free oxygen radicals benzoyl peroxide releases, which kills off C. acnes (main bacteria that causes acne) due to it destroying the bacterial cell wall/proteins, whereas the regular atmospheric oxygen we breathe is not harmful to them. Benzoyl Peroxide also clears pores as a mild exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and wash away extra oil, while it also clears swelling as it helps reduce redness and pain that comes from pimples. Lastly, benzoyl peroxide is an antibiotic that acne bacteria cannot become resistant to, making it a much higher chance for acne to not come back.
- Because acne bacteria cannot become resistant to benzoyl peroxide, dermatologists pair it with other topical medications to treat acne (like clindamycin phosphate which I stated before).
Benzoyl Peroxide is one of the two other active ingredients inside of Cabtreo prior to clindamycin phosphate, but what is it exactly and what does it also do?
- Benzoyl Peroxide (BEN zoe ill per OX ide) originally created in 1858, kills of acne by preventing bacteria growing on your skin because of the free oxygen radicals benzoyl peroxide releases, which kills off C. acnes (main bacteria that causes acne) due to it destroying the bacterial cell wall/proteins, whereas the regular atmospheric oxygen we breathe is not harmful to them. Benzoyl Peroxide also clears pores as a mild exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and wash away extra oil, while it also clears swelling as it helps reduce redness and pain that comes from pimples. Lastly, benzoyl peroxide is an antibiotic that acne bacteria cannot become resistant to, making it a much higher chance for acne to not come back.
- Because acne bacteria cannot become resistant to benzoyl peroxide, dermatologists pair it with other topical medications to treat acne (like clindamycin phosphate which I stated before).
Adapalene
Adapalene is the final active ingredient out of the 3 that are inside of Cabtreo, but what is its job for clear skin?
- Adapalene, originally created in 1986, is a topical retinoid medication derived from vitamin A which is used to fight against acne by clearing pores (by clearing deep roots, as it works inside the pore), speeding up skin cell turnover, and reducing inflammation (calming breakouts that are tied to irritation and swelling). Since adapalene helps speed up skin cell turnover, it also branches off to helping reverse skin aging and fading dark spots.
- Dermatologists pair adapalene with benzoyl peroxide frequently because they both combine to target clogged pores and acne causing bacteria simultaneously. And unlike other retinoids, adapalene is stable enough to mix with benzoyl peroxide without breaking down.
Adapalene is the final active ingredient out of the 3 that are inside of Cabtreo, but what is its job for clear skin?
- Adapalene, originally created in 1986, is a topical retinoid medication derived from vitamin A which is used to fight against acne by clearing pores (by clearing deep roots, as it works inside the pore), speeding up skin cell turnover, and reducing inflammation (calming breakouts that are tied to irritation and swelling). Since adapalene helps speed up skin cell turnover, it also branches off to helping reverse skin aging and fading dark spots.
- Dermatologists pair adapalene with benzoyl peroxide frequently because they both combine to target clogged pores and acne causing bacteria simultaneously. And unlike other retinoids, adapalene is stable enough to mix with benzoyl peroxide without breaking down.
Why All 3 Go Well Together And Create: Cabtreo
- Adapalene, Benzoyl Peroxide, and Clindamycin Phosphate all work well together inside of Cabtreo because they target three different causes of acne a the same time: killing bacteria, clearing dead skin, and reducing swelling. Clindamycin phosphate (1.2% dosage) stops the growth of acne causing bacteria, while Adapalene (0.15% dosage) speeds up skin cell turnover and prevents pores from clogging while calming inflammation and swelling, and finally Benzoyl Peroxide which kills the bacteria and helps clear away dead skin cells. All three medications purely fit well with eachother and work together to remove your acne and improve your skin.
- Clinical trials have shown that up to 50% of patients saw clear skin within 12 weeks, with up to an 80% reduction in inflammatory acne. https://www.cabtreo.com/what-is-cabtreo/
- Adapalene, Benzoyl Peroxide, and Clindamycin Phosphate all work well together inside of Cabtreo because they target three different causes of acne a the same time: killing bacteria, clearing dead skin, and reducing swelling. Clindamycin phosphate (1.2% dosage) stops the growth of acne causing bacteria, while Adapalene (0.15% dosage) speeds up skin cell turnover and prevents pores from clogging while calming inflammation and swelling, and finally Benzoyl Peroxide which kills the bacteria and helps clear away dead skin cells. All three medications purely fit well with eachother and work together to remove your acne and improve your skin.
- Clinical trials have shown that up to 50% of patients saw clear skin within 12 weeks, with up to an 80% reduction in inflammatory acne. https://www.cabtreo.com/what-is-cabtreo/
Section 3: Inactive Ingredients Break Down - Do They Matter?
Carbomer Homopolymer Type C (Carbomer 980)
- Carbomer homopolymer type C (carbomer 980) acts as a critical inactive ingredient in Cabtreo by playing as a thickener, stabilizer, and gelling agent. It absorbs water to create a smooth, uniform, water based gel that evenly suspends the three active medications which ensures proper texture and easily appliable to the skin. It makes sure the gel does not become too thick or runny so the patient can use it easily.
- Carbomer homopolymer type C (carbomer 980) acts as a critical inactive ingredient in Cabtreo by playing as a thickener, stabilizer, and gelling agent. It absorbs water to create a smooth, uniform, water based gel that evenly suspends the three active medications which ensures proper texture and easily appliable to the skin. It makes sure the gel does not become too thick or runny so the patient can use it easily.
Potassium Hydroxide
- Potassium Hydroxide acts as an inactive buffering and neutralizing ingredient. It helps adjust and set the proper pH level of the topical gel while also allowing the gelling agent to thicken correctly. It makes sure the gel is smooth and is easy to apply while it also used in tiny amounts so it is safe for skin use.
- Potassium Hydroxide acts as an inactive buffering and neutralizing ingredient. It helps adjust and set the proper pH level of the topical gel while also allowing the gelling agent to thicken correctly. It makes sure the gel is smooth and is easy to apply while it also used in tiny amounts so it is safe for skin use.
Propylene Glycol
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- Propylene Glycol helps mix and disolve clindamycin, adapalene, and benzoyl peroxide into a smooth and even gel, making it easy to apply on the skin.
- It can cause mild redness, burning, or drying, which is added onto the already irritation caused by adapalene and benzoyl peroxide.
- Propylene Glycol helps mix and disolve clindamycin, adapalene, and benzoyl peroxide into a smooth and even gel, making it easy to apply on the skin.
- It can cause mild redness, burning, or drying, which is added onto the already irritation caused by adapalene and benzoyl peroxide.
Purified Water
- Purified waters job is to be used as a safe, clean base liquid to mix and dissolve the active components (clindamycin phosphate, adapalene, and benzoyl peroxide) in Cabtreo. It lets the medication be smooth and easily appliable. It's also free of harmful minerals, chemicals, or microbes that are usually found in standard tap water. Preventing reactions that could possibly come from unclean water.
- Purified waters job is to be used as a safe, clean base liquid to mix and dissolve the active components (clindamycin phosphate, adapalene, and benzoyl peroxide) in Cabtreo. It lets the medication be smooth and easily appliable. It's also free of harmful minerals, chemicals, or microbes that are usually found in standard tap water. Preventing reactions that could possibly come from unclean water.
Section 3: Does Cabtreo Actually Work
These are the results that people have gotten after using cabtreo:
These are the results that people have gotten after using cabtreo:
Section 4: Why Cabtreo And Not Tretinoin:
- Simply put: Cabtreo is a triple combination treatment that kills and targets acne in three different pathways at once, giving a higher effect on killing bacteria and pores than Tretinoin which is a single ingredient topical.
- However, Tretinoin is still an amazing topical and it is much easier to source.
- However, Tretinoin is still an amazing topical and it is much easier to source.
Section 5: How Long It Takes To See Results + Side Effects:
Results Time Line
- Your face will be very irritated for the first few weeks
- Your skin will become dry and flaky which will sting a little
- Your acne will get worse before it gets better
- Your sun will bake in the sun so WEAR SUNSCREEN!
Section 6: How To Apply
- Apply in NIGHT TIME ONLY (before bed).
- Formation: Wet your face and wash with a simple face wash --> Dry your face --> Apply a moisturizer --> Apply Cabtreo.
- If you apply Cabtreo on your face while its wet, it will be much more irritating.
- Put the moisturizer on first for it to be less irritating
- Formation: Wet your face and wash with a simple face wash --> Dry your face --> Apply a moisturizer --> Apply Cabtreo.
- If you apply Cabtreo on your face while its wet, it will be much more irritating.
- Put the moisturizer on first for it to be less irritating
Section 7: Where To Source
To my knowledge there isn't any active source to get Cabtreo unless its prescribed by a dermatologist for now.
Section 8: Semi-Important Info
While on treatment, wear sunscreen of at least 45 SPF. If you do not then your skin barrier will crumble and even if your acne is fixed, you will still look like shit and will have to do a bunch of other things to get your skin back to normal.
It's a new topical so there aren't many to any sources besides from prescription at a derma. Hope you liked it and learned something new.
Tags: @zofatuz
