Acne is a common skin condition characterized by the presence of pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and sometimes deeper cysts, primarily affecting the face, neck, chest, and back.
Ranked by community outcomes, then evidence grade, Health Voice mentions, and recency.
Why it may help Acne: Often low in acne sufferers
Why it may help Acne: Reduces post-acne marks
Why it may help Acne: Reduces inflammatory acne
Why it may help Acne: Aloe Vera may help acne by reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing, which can soothe irritated skin and aid in the recovery of acne lesions.
Why it may help Acne: Vitamin A derivatives (retinoids) are first-line dermatologic therapy; oral vitamin A supports skin cell turnover and sebum regulation, with multiple clinical trials supporting use for moderate-to-severe acne.
Why it may help Acne: Randomized trials show spearmint tea (2 cups/day) lowers free androgens and reduces hormonal acne lesions over 1–3 months, particularly along the jawline and chin.
Why it may help Acne: Rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA); small RCTs suggest improvement in inflammatory acne and skin barrier function, especially in women with hormonal patterns.
Why it may help Acne: Exercise may help acne by reducing systemic inflammation and stress hormones, which can otherwise exacerbate sebum production and contribute to the development of acne lesions.
Why it may help Acne: Anti-inflammatory for skin
Why it may help Acne: EGCG reduces sebum
Why it may help Acne: Reduces acne severity
Why it may help Acne: Modulates gut-skin axis
Why it may help Acne: RCTs show oral berberine reduces inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions, likely via insulin sensitization, sebum reduction, and antimicrobial effects on C. acnes.
Community outcomes
Self-reported by community members · not medical advice.
Self-reported community outcomes. Not medical advice. Requires at least three reports per remedy to surface.
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Community Discussions
How global health authorities view Acne.
The Mayo Clinic acknowledges that diet may play a role in acne for some individuals, suggesting a link between high-glycemic foods and dairy. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) notes that some small studies suggest certain natural products like tea tree oil may be helpful for mild to moderate acne, but more rigorous research is needed. The NHS primarily recommends conventional treatments but emphasizes good skincare practices. While some natural approaches show promise, major health bodies generally advise consulting a healthcare professional for persistent or severe acne, especially given the potential for scarring.
Indexed studies for Acne, grouped by source type and quality.
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Pooled analyses across multiple human trials.
Turetta C, Turetta C, Giannini A, Tarsitano MG, Gianfrilli D, Paoli A · Gynecologic and obstetric investigation · 2025
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a widespread disease among women of childbearing age. This pathology embraces a complex spectrum of clinical manifestations. An altered secretion of gonadotropins and high levels of androgens determine menstrual irregularities and ovulatory dysfunction, infertility, hirsutism, alopecia and acne. Moreover, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance (IR) are common, leading to an increased metabolic risk. Whilst various pharmacological strategies have been studied to manage PCOS, the role of lifestyle should be emphasized. Numerous studies highlight the fundamental role that diet plays in the regulation of these hormonal imbalances. The hypothesis that a low-carbohydrate diet, such as the ketogenic diet (KD), may be beneficial in patients with PCOS has been evaluated in some clinical studies. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis has been to evaluate through anthropometric, metabolic, and hormonal parameters the impact of KD in overwe
Kelly FA, de Oliveira Macena Lôbo A, Cardoso JHCO, de Moraes FCA · Endocrine · 2025 · n=388
Metformin was the first medication targeting insulin resistance in PCOS, and it has been extensively studied as a metabolic treatment option. In recent years, inositols have emerged as potential treatment options for PCOS, but confidence in the available evidence supporting their use is limited. We comprehensively searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for RCTs comparing the use of combined metformin and inositol versus metformin alone in women with PCOS. A random-effects model was used to calculate the risk ratios (RRs) and mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A p-value of <0.05 was deemed as statistically significant. Six RCTs and 388 patients were included in the analysis, with follow-up ranging from 3 to 6 months. Combination therapy was significantly associated with improved menstrual cycle regularity (RR 1.56; 95% CI 1.01 to 2.41; p = 0.04), and lower values of modified Ferriman-Gallwey score (MD -0.97; 95% CI -1.53 to -0.40; p&#
Dairy intake and acne development: A meta-analysis of observational studies.
Aghasi M, Golzarand M, Shab-Bidar S, Aminianfar A, Omidian M, Taheri F · Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) · 2019
In the past, some observational studies have been carried out on the relationship between milk and dairy intake and risk of acne occurrence; however, their results were conflicting. This study is a meta-analysis and dose-response analysis designed to evaluate the relationship between milk and dairy products and acne development. Data of the study were searched and collected from Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases. Study design, sex, age, exposure (i.e. dairy, milk, yogurt, cheese), dietary assessment method, acne ascertainment, total sample size, number of total subjects and cases in each category of exposure intake, OR, RR and PR with 95% CI in each category of exposure intake and adjusted variables were extracted. Highest compared with lowest category of dairy (OR: 2.61, 95% CI: 1.20 to 5.67), total milk (OR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.31 to 1.66), low-fat milk (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.43) and skim milk (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.34 to 2.47) intake significantly was as
Structured reviews of the full body of evidence (incl. Cochrane).
Safety and Effectiveness of Oral Nutraceuticals for Treating Acne: A Systematic Review.
Shields A, Ly S, Wafae B, Chang YF, Manjaly P, Archila M · JAMA dermatology · 2023 · n=3346
Patients with acne are interested in nutraceuticals as a potential treatment option. However, there is uncertainty regarding the efficacy and safety of these products. To evaluate the evidence for oral nutraceuticals in the treatment of acne. The 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
Polycystic ovaries and herbal remedies: A systematic review.
Manouchehri A, Abbaszadeh S, Ahmadi M, Nejad FK, Bahmani M, Dastyar N · JBRA assisted reproduction · 2023 · n=15
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that affects one in every 15 women worldwide. This disorder is mainly characterized by increased levels of male hormones (androgens), acne, and hirsutism, and can lead to long-term insulin resistance, miscarriage, or even infertility in women. PCOS is a disorder that can be treated with natural and allopathic remedies that work against the PCOS mechanism. The present study reviews previous studies on the treatment of PCOS using natural drugs. The data in this study were collected from articles published in reputable databases including ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholar, and SID in the field of medicinal plants from 1990 to 2021. A review of the literature showed that plants such as aloe vera and chamomile improve fertility by increasing the number of ovarian follicles. Besides, Vitex agnus-castus and octane reduce hirsutism by reducing testosterone and androgen levels. It was also shown that liquorice, ginseng, cinnamon, a
Diet and acne: A systematic review.
Meixiong J, Ricco C, Vasavda C, Ho BK · JAAD international · 2022
Acne vulgaris is a common cutaneous disorder. Diet and metabolism, specifically glycemic content and dairy, influence hormones such as insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1, and androgens, which affect acnegenesis. To systematically review high-quality evidence regarding the association of dietary glycemic and dairy intake with acnegenesis. A comprehensive literature search, without timeline restriction, of MEDLINE (completed between October and November 2021) for English-language papers that examined the association between diet and acne was conducted. The evidence quality was assessed using the Ottawa quality assessment scale. The literature search yielded 410 articles, of which 34 articles met the inclusion criteria. The literature on whether dairy product intake is associated with acnegenesis is mixed and may be dependent on sex, ethnicity, and cultural dietary habits. High glycemic index and increased daily glycemic load intake were positively associated with acnegenesis and ac
Recommendations from medical societies (NICE, AHA, ADA, ACG, Endocrine Society…).
NICE
This guideline covers the management of acne vulgaris, including treatment options for different severities and considerations for referral. It aims to improve outcomes for people with acne by providing evidence-based recommendations.
Acne vulgaris: diagnosis and management
NICE
This guideline covers diagnosing and managing acne vulgaris in primary and secondary care. It aims to improve outcomes for people with acne by providing evidence-based recommendations on treatment options.
Controlled human studies with random assignment.
Colonetti L, Uggioni MLR, Prestes GDS, Stangherlin L, Junior JCD, Moura R · Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) · 2025 · n=29
To evaluate the effects of a low-carbohydrate diet associated with strength training on the clinical signs of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A randomized clinical trial was carried out including 29 women over 18 years old diagnosed with PCOS, randomized into two groups, with follow-up for 12 weeks: the low-carbohydrate diet group associated with strength exercise (LCDE); and the standard diet group associated with strength exercise (SDE). We evaluated manifestations of acne, hirsutism by the Ferriman-Gallwey scale and alopecia by the Ludwig-Savin scale, and assessed laboratory tests for total and free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. The collected data were analyzed using IBM-SPSS software version 21. The study showed statistically significant differences in the hormonal levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (P = 0.045), luteinizing hormone (P = 0.017) and follicle-stimulating hormone (P = 0.014) when comparing the LCDE and SD
Atefi N, Mohammadi M, Bodaghabadi M, Mehrali M, Behrangi E, Ghassemi M · Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2025 · n=80
Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that negatively affects patients' quality of life. Increasing antibiotic resistance is making acne less responsive to treatment. Probiotics are live microorganisms that can provide health benefits by fighting pathogens and maintaining intestinal homeostasis and skin microbiome balance. This study investigates the effects of probiotics in the treatment of acne vulgaris. In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 80 patients with moderate acne were divided into two groups of 40. All patients received the same topical treatment, which consisted of a daily antibacterial face wash and Adapalene gel every other night. The control group received one capsule of doxycycline (100 mg) daily, whereas the intervention group received one probiotic capsule daily in addition to doxycycline. Patients underwent photography of facial acne lesions, and treatment response was assessed using the global acne grading system (GAGS) and acne grading method
A Randomized Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of an Oral Probiotic in Acne Vulgaris.
Eguren C, Navarro-Blasco A, Corral-Forteza M, Reolid-Pérez A, Setó-Torrent N, García-Navarro A · Acta dermato-venereologica · 2024
The relevance of the gut microbiota in some skin inflammatory diseases, including acne vulgaris, has been emphasized. Probiotics could play a role in the modulation of the microbiota, improving the clinical course of this disease. A 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial with patients aged 12 to 30 years with acne vulgaris was conducted. The study product was a capsule composed of the probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (CECT 30031) and the cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis (BEA_IDA_0074B). Patients with improvement in the Acne Global Severity Scale were 10/34 (29.41%) in the placebo group compared with 20/40 (50%) in the probiotic group (p = 0.03). A significant reduction (p = 0.03) in the number of non-inflammatory acne lesions was observed in the probiotic group (-18.60 [-24.38 to -12.82]) vs the placebo group (-10.54 [-17.43 to -3.66]). Regarding the number of total  lesions, a reduction almost reaching statistica
Cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional human studies.
Deng J, Peng S, Yang F, Wei X, Lu X, Lu L · Journal of health, population, and nutrition · 2025
The epidemiology and burden of adult acne have not been comprehensively evaluated. This study aims to analyze the global disease burden of adult acne from 1990 to 2021 and explore potential risk factors. With Global Burden of Disease (GBD), we got all the incidence, prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and corresponding age-standardised rate (ASR) of acne vulgaris (25 + years). The data were stratified by three dimensions of distribution and the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI). We calculated the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) to evaluate trends, and assessed health inequality, then employed Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) analysis for forecasting. Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis was utilized for identifying potential risk factors, the Global Dietary Database (GDD) for verification. From 1990 to 2021, global incidence of adult acne cases increased by 66.6%, reaching 20,290,350 (95% UI: 19,253,788-21,344,142); prevalence rose by 66.4%; DALY
Senna M, Mostaghimi A, Ohyama M, Sinclair R, Dutronc Y, Wu WS · Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV · 2024
Efficacy of the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor baricitinib for severe alopecia areata (AA) continuously increased over 52 weeks in two Phase 3 trials. There are limited long-term data on JAK inhibitors in AA. To evaluate efficacy and safety of baricitinib for severe AA through 104 weeks of continuous therapy. Integrated data from the BRAVE-AA1 and BRAVE-AA2 Phase 3 trials included adults with Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) scores ≥50 (≥50% scalp hair loss) randomized to and continuously treated with 2-mg or 4-mg baricitinib through Week 104. Patients who qualified to remain on continuous treatment included subjects who achieved SALT score ≤20 at Week 52 (Week-52 responders; 2-mg: N = 65; 4-mg: N = 129) and baricitinib 4-mg-treated patients who had SALT score >20 at Week 52 but achieved SALT score ≤20 at prior visit(s) and/or had significant improvement in eyebrow or eyelash hair growth relative to baseline by We
Acne vulgaris: new evidence in pathogenesis and future modalities of treatment.
Hazarika N · The Journal of dermatological treatment · 2021
Acne vulgaris, a common and chronic disorder of the pilosebaceous unit, affects up to 85% of adolescent and young adults. While a lot is already known about acne and its treatment, still the gaps in our understanding of acne remains. This article will review the emerging evidence in the complex pathogenesis of acne and provide an overview of the potential future therapy in management of acne vulgaris.Key pointsWhat is known? Propionibacterium acnes targeted therapy has been the mainstay in the management of acne till now.What is new? Sebocyte activity is controlled via a range of cellular pathways and hormones in addition to androgens. This has opened an array of therapeutic options to be available for treating acne in the near future.
Preclinical animal research — not a substitute for human evidence.
Dietary Patterns in Acne and Rosacea Patients-A Controlled Study and Comprehensive Analysis.
Guertler A, Volsky A, Eijkenboom Q, Fiedler T, French LE, Reinholz M · Nutrients · 2023 · n=120
As the relationship between exposome factors and inflammatory skin diseases is gaining increasing attention, the objective of this study was to investigate dietary patterns among acne and rosacea patients and to establish the disease risk attributable to nutrition. In this cross-sectional, controlled study, patients' dietary habits were assessed via subjective ratings of beneficial and trigger foods, followed by standardized food frequency surveys (FFS). Scores for disease-specific risk stratification based on dietary habits were proposed. Clinical assessments, dermatologic examinations, and laboratory analyses were performed. A total of 296 patients (acne group (AG) n = 120, control group (ACG) n = 32; rosacea group (RG) n = 105, control group (RCG) n = 39) were included. The significant impact of diet on disease severity was self-reported by 80.8% of the AG and 70.5% of the RG. Leading dietary triggers were found in both groups, while beneficial food items were identified more clearl
Penso L, Touvier M, Deschasaux M, Szabo de Edelenyi F, Hercberg S, Ezzedine K · JAMA dermatology · 2020 · n=452
Acne is a chronic, multifactorial inflammatory disease. The association between consumption of dairy products and fatty and sugary foods and occurrence and progression of acne remains unclear. To assess the association between dietary behavior and current acne in adults. A cross-sectional study was performed as part of the NutriNet-Santé study, which is an ongoing observational, web-based cohort study that was launched in France in May 2009. The present study was conducted from November 14, 2018, to July 8, 2019. A total of 24 452 participants completed an online self-questionnaire to categorize their acne status: never acne, past acne, or current acne. Associations between dietary behavior (food intake, nutrient intake, and the dietary pattern derived from a principal component analysis) and current or past acne were studied in multinomial logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounding variables (age, sex, physical activity, smoking status, educational lev
Public-health agencies: NCCIH, NIH, CDC, NHS.
NHS
This page provides comprehensive information on acne, including its causes, symptoms, and various treatment options available. It also offers advice on self-care and when to seek medical help.
Registered ongoing or completed trials (ClinicalTrials.gov).
Assessment of Serum Asprosin Level in Male Patients With Acne Vulgaris
n=72 · NCT05471388 · UNKNOWN · UNKNOWN
Subject of interest is to evaluate serum level of asprosin in male patients with acne vulgaris, demonstrate the relation between acne vulgaris severity and level of asprosin in these patients \& the relation between metabolic syndrome in acne vulgaris and level of asprosin.
n=692 · NCT07457294 · NOT_YET_RECRUITING · NOT_YET_RECRUITING
This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled Phase III clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 1% Clascoterone Cream in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Target population: Participants aged ≥12 years with moderate to severe acne vulgaris who meet the inclusion criteria and none of the exclusion criteria. Treatment: The investigational group will receive 1% Clascoterone Cream, and the control group will receive placebo. Approximately 1 g of the cream will be applied evenly to the entire face twice daily (morning and evening) for 12 weeks.
Efficacy of Oral Metformin vs Oral Doxycycline in Treating Acne Vulgaris
n=68 · NCT07357337 · COMPLETED · COMPLETED
The goal of the clinical trial is to learn if oral metformin works to treat moderate to severe acne vulgaris. Investigators will compare this drug to oral doxycycline to see if this drug works to treat acne. All participants will be divided into two groups. Group A will be given oral Metformin 500 mg to be taken twice daily, while Group B patients will be given oral Doxycycline 100 mg once daily. They will be assessed by the scoring method Total Lesion Count (TLC) and the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) at each follow-up (i.e., at 0, 8, and 12 weeks). Efficacy will be measured by using the scoring system GAGS, TLC. The final assessment will be done at the 12th-week follow-up. A total of 68 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria are enrolled in the study. The efficacy of oral metformin vs oral doxycycline will be measured in all selected patients suffering from acne vulgaris by estimating improvement in the total lesion count (TLC) and the Global Acne Grading (GAGS) assessment score at each follow-up.
Curated cross-source summaries (TRIP Database and similar).
TRIP Database
A clinical search engine designed to allow users to quickly and easily find high-quality research evidence to support their practice. Searching for 'Acne Vulgaris' provides a comprehensive list of relevant evidence.
Cochrane
The Cochrane Library provides high-quality, independent evidence to inform healthcare decision-making, including systematic reviews related to various acne treatments and interventions.
TRIP Database
The TRIP Database is a clinical search engine designed to allow users to quickly and easily find high-quality research evidence to support their practice, including relevant articles on acne. It indexes evidence from a wide range of sources.
Conventional treatments for acne include topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, topical and oral antibiotics, oral contraceptives, and isotretinoin. A dermatologist can assess the severity of acne and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan, which may involve a combination of therapies. Early intervention can help prevent scarring.
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This information is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health or treatment, especially if you have severe acne, underlying health conditions, or are pregnant or
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