Global Trends and Hotspot Analysis of Nanomaterials in the Field of Acne: A Bibliometric Perspective

Background: Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease. Recent studies have revealed significant progress in the application of nanomaterials for acne treatment; however, a systematic analysis of research trends and hotspots remains lacking. This study aims to comprehensively present the current status of research in this field and summarize frontier directions using bibliometric methods. Methods: Publications with the subject terms "nanomaterials" and "acne" were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection for the period 2012-2025. Bibliometric analysis and visualization were conducted using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Scimago Graphica, and R language. Results: A total of 301 articles from 547 institutions across 51 countries were analyzed. Annual publications increased from 7 in 2012 to 25 in 2025, showing a continuous upward trend. India emerged as the leading contributor in this field. Notably, Folle Camila from the University of Barcelona was identified as the most prolific author, Cairo University as the most productive institution, and the International Journal of Pharmaceutics as the core journal in this domain. Keyword analysis indicated that current research focuses primarily on optimizing nanomaterial-based delivery systems, exploring combination formulations, and developing strategies for acne scar repair. Furthermore, our study suggests that potential future hotspots may include adjuvant photodynamic therapy (PDT), safety evaluation of nanomaterials, and the development of intelligent responsive systems. Conclusion: This study systematically summarizes the research landscape and developmental trends of nanomaterials in acne treatment. The findings provide clinicians and researchers with a rapid overview of the academic frontiers in this area, offering valuable references for clinical decision-making and the identification of future research directions.