Safety and Effectiveness of Oral Nutraceuticals for Treating Acne

Abstract

ImportancePatients with acne are interested in nutraceuticals as a potential treatment option. However, there is uncertainty regarding the efficacy and safety of these products.ObjectiveTo evaluate the evidence for oral nutraceuticals in the treatment of acne.Evidence ReviewThe PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception through January 30, 2023, to identify randomized clinical trials evaluating oral nutraceutical interventions (ie, vitamins and minerals, botanical extracts, prebiotics, and probiotics) in individuals with acne. Clinician-reported outcomes (eg, investigator global assessment, lesion counts), patient-reported outcomes (eg, quality of life), and adverse events were extracted from the included studies. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias checklist tool for randomized clinical trials. Based on the Risk of Bias tool, articles were converted to Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality standards of good, fair, or poor quality.FindingsA total of 2582 abstracts were identified in the database search, 42 of which met inclusion criteria (a total of 3346 participants). Studies of fair or good quality showed the potential benefit of vitamins B5 and D, botanical extracts (green tea), probiotics, and ω-3 fatty acids in the treatment of acne. These interventions were most frequently associated with decreased lesion counts or improved investigator global assessment scores. Adverse effects were rare for most of the therapies evaluated, but gastrointestinal tract adverse effects were reported for zinc therapy.Conclusions and RelevanceThis systematic review suggests a possible role for nutraceutical supplements in the treatment of acne. Physicians should be prepared to discuss the evidence regarding the potential role of nutraceuticals with patients. Many studies were of small size, and future research should focus on larger randomized clinical trials to assess the utility of nutraceuticals in the treatment of acne.

Deficit of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Acne Patients—A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study in a German Cohort

“…A negative impact on the management of acne has since been attributed to a Western diet high in saturated fats, highly processed carbohydrates, and dairy products, mainly due to its direct effects on IGF-1 [1,2,35]. However, preventive and therapeutic dietary measures, including the targeted use of nutraceuticals, have not yet been adequately addressed [11,46]. This pilot study provided new insights into ω-3 FA levels in acne patients, with 96% of patients having a HS-omega-3 Index ® outside the recommended range of 8-11%.…”

“…Recently, there has been a growing interest in identifying nutrients that may alleviate the severity of acne. Nutraceuticals, products derived from food sources that provide both nutritional and medicinal benefits, continue to be of particular interest for the management Life 2024, 14, 519 2 of 12 of skin diseases, including acne [11][12][13]. This interest has been fueled in part by patients themselves, most of whom are interested in natural and complementary therapies as either an adjunct or alternative to prescription medications [8,14,15].…”

“…However, given the wide range of dietary supplements available, their safety and efficacy must be carefully considered. Amongst currently available studies on nutraceuticals for acne, a recent systematic review has identified 42 placebo-controlled studies (with a total of 3346 participants) of fair or good quality, showing a potential benefit of Zinc, vitamin B 5 and D, botanical extracts including green tea, probiotics, and Omega-3 (ω-3) fatty acids (FAs) in the treatment of acne [11].…”