https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28927457/ This review suggests that the protein p53, known as the "guardian of the genome," plays a central role in the effectiveness of all anti-acne treatments. Here’s a breakdown: 1. p53 Activation by Anti-Acne Therapies: The treatments commonly used for acne appear to work by increasing the expression or activity of p53. Each type of treatment does this through different mechanisms: 2. Role of p53 in Acne Treatment: 3. Implications for Research Models: The review criticizes the use of p53-inactivated sebocyte cultures (cells that don't express p53) for acne research, as these models might not accurately represent how anti-acne treatments work, given p53's central role in their mechanisms. In essence, this review proposes that by upregulating p53, various anti-acne therapies achieve a common therapeutic effect—helping control the factors that lead to acne, such as excess oil production and inflammation.