In a double-blind randomized comparative multicenter trial, consisting of 29 patients with acne vulgaris who were unable to tolerate daily applications of retinoic acid, the retinoic acid derivative Ro 11–1430 (0.1% vanishing cream) was compared in a 6–8 weeks topical treatment with vanishing cream alone (placebo). Regarding efficacy, for most criteria measured the response was always better with Ro 11–1430 than with placebo, although the differences were not always statistically significant for several reasons, one probably being the small number of patients in the trial. Regarding tolerance, both treatments were satisfactory. Ro 11–1430 and placebo did not differ significantly regarding frequency and severity of erythema, desquamation and burning. These results suggest that treatment with Ro 11–1430 should be considered in acne patients who are unable to use retinoic acid due to severe local