An over-the-counter pill that claims to "cure" acne sounds too good to be true, right? There are many successful treatments for acne today, but when it comes to supplements, for which there is generally little scientific research, it would be good to be careful.
So what are acne supplements?
They are created to have all the nutrients we can not get from our diet. They come in pill, chewing gum or powder form. Historically, hair supplements, nails etc. have been sold in pharmacies and even supermarkets. Apparently, there are some supplements for acne.
In the US, supplements are regulated as food, not medicine, by the Federal Drug Administration. Unfortunately, this means that federal law does not require supplements to be proven safe or effective before they are marketed.
What are the main ingredients in acne supplements?
According to experts from the online dermatology platform Get Harley, ingredients such as indole-3-carbinol, selenium, zinc, magnesium, vitamin B, omega-3, peppermint and lactobacillus are commonly found in supplements that target acne. But dermatologist Ranella Hirsch points out that "there is no uniform belief that [all of these ingredients] are effective" when it comes to supplements and their association with acne. On the other hand, there are also studies that show that certain supplements have brought about improvements in the skin within 8 weeks.
So do acne supplements work?
All the experts Pop Sugar talked to agreed that acne supplements themselves do not work as a treatment. It should be a combination of treatments, which include (but are not limited to) a tailored skin care routine, daily prescription products, over-the-counter medications, diet and lifestyle changes, and psychological help. Every treatment plan is different for each person, as there are different types of acne and no two cases are identical.
"As with everything, some supplements will help some people, but because of the volatile nature of acne, we know there is no cure but different ways to try and manage the condition," says Debbie Thomas, specialist of skin and founder of D. Thomas Clinic.
This does not mean that supplements do not work at all. "Some doctors will make patients take supplements, especially if blood tests reveal some kind of deficiency," adds dr. Hirsch. Although she also noted that many of these deficiencies can also be remedied through dietary changes.
In some cases, supplements can even make acne worse
Unfortunately, for some people, taking excess supplements can worsen acne instead of helping to clear it up. This is why, even if you find these supplements and can take them without a prescription, consult a dermatologist anyway before taking them.
