Acne - Treatments

Substances that may Alleviate or Prevent Acne 

Enzymes

 Acne patients often exhibit low serum Glutathione Peroxidase levels.  ^[1]

Hormones

 Estriol cream applied topically may alleviate premenstrual acne and may improve the appearance of Acne Scars.  ^[2]

 Progesterone cream applied topically may alleviate many cases of Acne in adult women by counteracting the excessive production of Androgens that causes most cases of adult Acne in women.  ^[3] 

Lipids

 Alpha-Linolenic Acid (LNA) consumed internally may alleviate Acne. 

 Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) may alleviate Acne when consumed internally. 

 Lauric Acid may be useful for the treatment of Acne due to its ability to inhibit/kill Propionibacterium acnes, a cause of Acne.  ^[4] 

Minerals

 Acne especially when associated with itching pimples may occur as a symptom of Calcium deficiency. 

 Chromium may alleviate Acne.  ^[5]

 Acne may occur as a result of Potassium deficiency. 

 Selenium 200 mcg per day combined with 10 mg Vitamin E for six to twelve weeks may alleviate Acne in patients with low serum Glutathione Peroxidase levels.  ^[6]

 Silver Mild Silver Protein form consumed orally and applied topically may kill the Detrimental Bacteria that cause Acne.  ^[7]

 Sulfur at low concentrations has been employed in some topically applied Prescribed Medications used in the treatment of Acne.  ^[8]

 Many adolescent Acne patients have low levels of Zinc Supplemental Zinc (90 - 135 mg per day) may improve the condition of Acne patients in 75% of cases:  ^[9]

 Zinc applied topically may reduce the Inflammation associated with Acne and may retard the production of the excessive quantities of Sebum that causes the clogging of the Pores in Acne patients.

 Improvements in Acne following Zinc therapy may not become apparent until approximately twelve weeks from the commencement of Zinc supplementation.

Organic Acids

 Azelaic Acid (applied topically) may alleviate Acne (it inhibits the Propionibacterium acnes Bacteria that can cause Acne and may also prevent the conversion of Testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the Skin - a process that is believed to be an underlying cause of some cases of Acne).  ^[10]