Acne vulgaris is one of the skin complaints seen most frequently by physicians, and is in fact the most common skin disease in the US today. Around 67−100% of adolescents, and a substantial number of adults, have acne. Excessive follicular keratanisation, sebum production, bacterial proliferation and inflammation are the key factors involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. Treatments to date have largely consisted of topical agents, including antibacterials and, more recently, retinoids such as oral isotretinoin. Efficacy is an obvious outcome measure for the treatment of such a condition. However, severe acne can be disfiguring and can lead to significant scarring, and the presence of acne (particularly facial acne) is often associated with negative psychological effects, including depression, anxiety and poor self-image. Therefore, the consideration of QOL and patient satisfaction are clearly also important. Tazarotene, the first of a new generation of receptor-specific retinoids, has been shown to minimize the adverse effects often observed with isotretinoin. Its relative efficacy, effect on QOL and economic consequences were considered in a number of posters presented at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) [Washington, DC, US; February 2004].