Zinc Can Help Fight Acne

Zinc for acne can be beneficial if used properly. Zinc is found in foods and in various dietary supplements. It is a common nutrient in multi-vitamins although it can also be purchased as single supplement or may be mixed with other types of vitamins or minerals.

According to an article written by Brent A. Bauer, M.D. titled “Natural acne treatment: What’s most effective?” and published by the Mayo clinic, zinc does play a role in wound healing and can reduce inflammation. Because of these two beneficial effects of zinc, it can help fight acne.

Zinc is present in cells throughout the body. It is a nutrient that helps us stay healthy. Zinc helps the immune system fight off viruses and bacteria. Not only does zinc help heal wounds, zinc also helps to make DNA and proteins. Zinc is also needed for proper taste and smell (which is why some supplements that contain zinc can alter the way things taste or smell to us).


Research shows that most people in America get enough of zinc from the food they eat. However, studies show that people with sickle cell disease, alcoholics, vegetarians, breastfed infants and people who have had specific gastrointestinal surgeries or digestive disorders can have a deficiency of zinc. The deficiency of zinc can cause various types of problems including impotence, diarrhea, hair loss, skin and eye sores, etc… The deficiency can also cause slower alert levels, loss of appetite and prolonged wound healing.

Studies on zinc have come to some interested conclusions. In other countries, a zinc deficiency is more prevalent and the related diarrhea can actually cause children that go untreated to die. Another interesting finding is that zinc found in lozenges and cough syrups is beneficial to the common cold. Additionally, it’s been noted that zinc can help slow down Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

What Dosage of Zinc to Take

Yet, when it comes to dosages and determining which zinc supplements to use (meaning what brand) there is quite a dilemma. Too much zinc can have serious side-effects including lower immunity, lower levels of the “good” cholesterol, HDL and low copper levels. The problem is that companies that produce the zinc supplements do not do the testing required of prescription drugs during their manufacturing process. So, even though a label may say, “contains such and such amount of zinc per tablet”, there can be a much higher concentration in each tablet than is stated. So, it is probably best to allow your doctor to steer you on the amount and to a trusted source (Brand) if you want to try zinc for acne.

Also it’s important to let your doctor know if you do start taking a zinc supplement as it can have interactions with other types of drugs. For instance, when taking zinc dietary supplements and a tetracycline antibiotic, the result can be less anti-biotic and zinc absorbed by the body. Another example is that taking zinc can reduce the effectiveness of penicillamine (a drug for rheumatoid arthritis).

No doubt, taking zinc for acne does have some scientific verification as far as being beneficial simply because of its role in fighting bacteria and helping to heal wounds. However, taking zinc supplements is not a subject to take lightly as they can ultimately be more harmful than beneficial. Be sure to consult your doctor before taking zinc for acne.