Bausch Health Cos. Inc.'s Arazlo Lotion has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat acne vulgaris in patients who are 9 and older.

Arazlo, also known as tazarotene 0.045%, was developed by Laval, Quebec-based Bausch's dermatology business Ortho Dermatologics Inc. and will launch in the first half of 2020 "to coincide with the start of acne season," Ortho Dermatologics President Bill Humphries said in a Dec. 19 press release.

During clinical trials, Arazlo improved the severity of noninflammatory and inflammatory lesions compared to a placebo drug, and also matched the efficacy and safety of a different acne treatment called Tazorac Cream 0.1%.

Acne, the most common skin condition in the U.S., affects about 50 million Americans. Acne stems from plugged hair follicles, leading to whiteheads, blackheads or pimples on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders.