Food – a wide variety of foods such as oysters, red meat, beans, whole grains, nuts, certain types of seafood, and dietary products.

Dietary Supplements – Zinc supplements come in several forms, zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate, and zinc acetate.

Other sources – There’s zinc in various products like over-the-counter treatments that help with colds, you can get OTC products for acne treatment too.

Trying zinc supplements

You should only take zinc for acne under your doctor’s supervision. Zinc therapy and supplements will not be helpful if they’re not needed or used properly, if you consume more zinc than what you need it can lead to adverse effects be sure you keep an eye on your zinc levels and be sure you choose the right acne treatment.

Zinc is available over the counter (OTC) either combined with other minerals or on its own. It’s also in some multivitamins with vitamin e. Some serum vitamins have a small percentage of zinc in also, always be sure you get the correct products for your skin and individual needs. Zinc for acne is effective when it is used in the correct form, hence why this is one of the popular acne products.

You may see zinc labeled like one of the following –

• Zinc sulfate – this form, zinc sulfate has only been known to be effective towards pustules.
• Zinc acetate
• Zinc gluconate -this is safe for all skin types, dark to light, dry to oily, and is easily absorbed into the digestive tract.

ZINC AND ACNE – WHAT SCIENCE SAYS

Scientific research suggests that inadequate levels of zinc in the body could be linked with acne. Bringing your level of zinc up to adequate levels could reduce symptoms of acne by –

-Balancing hormone levels

-Reducing bacteria

-Calming inflammation

Oral Zinc – Appears to work as good as or almost as good as oral antibiotics for acne. Although it should be used alongside other acne treatments to see any dramatic changes.

Topical Zinc – It’s not been proven that topical zinc alone can improve acne. Although there are certain topical zinc compounds that could help topical antibiotics work better to treat acne.

Zinc is found in the body to provide essential support to your body’s defense system, skeletal system, nervous system, reproductive system, and digestive system. When it comes to the skin to treat acne zinc may help by –

• Balancing hormone levels – Higher levels of androgens normally leads to more acne. Zinc may act as an anti-androgen, this hormone is present in both males and females.
• Reducing bacteria – This is important as bacteria plays a huge role in acne.
• Calming inflammatory – This is important as these flare-ups can be painful.

Deficiency and Incidence

Low zinc levels were accordingly first reported in acne patients in the mid-70s. More recent reports have said that zinc levels are lower in people receiving acne treatments.

Several oral zinc for acne supplements is readily available over the counter in most stores. Some are absorbed into the intestines resulting in fewer side effects.

Zinc supplements include –

• zinc glucose – One of the most popular forms of zinc. Better for treating inflammatory acne.
• zinc ascorbate
• zinc citrate
• zinc octoate
• methionine bound zinc

A few years back, a number of studies took place that was mainly based on zinc and acne treatments. A collection of people took part in the study and below shows the conclusions they came to regarding those studies –

• Topical Zinc – Certain forms of topical Zinc, when this is used with antibiotics it could possibly help the antibiotics work better and more efficiently. However, you’re unlikely to notice any dramatic changes.
• Oral Zinc – This has been thought to be as effective as antibiotics. Most supplements containing zinc, have between 15-20% elemental zinc, this basically means a 50mg tablet will have between 7.5mg and 10mg of zinc which is known to be the ideal amount to have positive effects.

If you do decide to take supplements with zinc, or want to add zinc to your diet and or routine, be sure to keep it as balanced as possible and be careful your not take too much zinc, your body can’t physically absorb enough copper, this could lead to copper deficiency. not enough copper can also lead to muscle weakness, mental fatigue, and anemia.

There have been numerous previous debates about using topically as they have temporary results, they work to some degree with some people, topical may help the antibiotics work a little better. In some cases, people have been taken off the antibiotics after a few months to prevent antibiotic resistance from getting any worse. Always ask your doctor if your want to use zinc for acne but are currently taking antibiotics already. If you do take them, always take them on time and finish the full prescribed course, if you miss any or decide to stop taking them before you should there’s a chance of causing antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Some topical forms have been known to have a few mild side effects such as burning or/and itching, similar to the side effects of topical retinoids.

The Types of Acne That Zinc May Help With

Pustules – Swollen, red form of acne that can weep, it is often pus-filled. They’re usually painful to the touch, also if they are squeezed or picked it could lead to them leaving acne scars.

Acne vulgaris – This is one of the most common in acne breakouts.

Cystic acne – These sorts of breakouts cause a sac-like pocket which is also filled with puss.

Melasma – This is usually a breakout of hyperpigmentation or skin discoloration, this can be caused due to hormonal changes.

Rosacea – A skin disease that causes visible blood vessels, extreme redness, pinkish eruptions that are also pus-filled.

Comedones – This can happen when the follicles have become blocked from dead skin cells, excess sebum, and general air pollution/dirt, and make-up.

Whiteheads – A type of someone that completely blocks the opening of the pore or hair follicle. The skin’s life cycle tries to continue causing a layer to form which appears ‘white’. Never try to squeeze these as it can tear the tissue and then lead to scarring.

Blackheads – This type of someone is caused by the follicle or the pore to be completely blocked deeply but open at the surface, dead skin cells and oil build-up irregularly which causes clogging to diffuse the natural light, this is what makes them appear ‘black’.

Papules – These types of Comedones happen when they have become infected or inflamed. They can also cause some redness and can be sore to the touch.

Nodules – These are painful, inflamed lumps that lie just beneath the surface of the skin. Often caused by infection or invasive bacteria.

Zinc is one of the most studied natural treatments there is for the treatment of acne, here are some of the benefits it has –

Anti-bacterial – Some studies carried out using test tubes have shown that zinc eradicates acne-causing bacteria. Although it’s not quite as effective as antibiotics, zinc can be useful as bacteria won’t develop resistance to it. There’s also a homemade remedy for acne that has tea tree oil, zinc supplements, and azelaic acid. Tea tree is a well-known acne treatment that can help to clear skin and reduce acne.

Anti-inflammatory – When bacteria blocks a pore or follicle, severe irritation can develop in the area and cause pimples to become painful and red. Studies have shown that those with acne-prone skin, are more sensitive to bacteria., this is where zinc’s anti-inflammatory properties come in as it can calm the inflammatory response and help to reduce the bacteria.

Keratinocyte-reducing – Keratinocytes are called that produce keratin, keratin is a protein that binds skin cells together. Too much keratin prevents cells from separating which leads to clogging of the pores. By reducing keratin, zinc helps keep skin pores open.

DHT blocking– Zinc can reduce the amount of oil produced by the skin, just as other DHT blockers do. Although it isn’t a strong DHT, zinc can still be used to regulate the hormones that affect the skin.

Antioxidant – Zinc it as a powerful antioxidant, one cause of acne is damage to the sebum and studies have concluded that taking antioxidants can reduce acne.

So, while zinc is not a miracle treatment, numerous studies can support its use for acne. There have been over thirty studies that have evaluated the benefits of zinc, both by itself and combined with other treatments. Zinc reduces almost all the known causes of acne.

How long can it take for zinc to clear my skin?

Most drugs on prescription for acne can take two months at a minimum before seeing a response. Some studies say the healing time for zinc is varied, but it is recommended you try supplements for at least three months to see any noticeable changes.

How much zinc should I take?

The recommended amount is 30mg of elemental zinc daily. It is not recommended to take any more than 50mg because high dosages can cause stomach cramps and irritation to the gut.