Is the sky blue? Are raw bliss balls delicious? The answer to all of these questions is (usually) yes. Zinc is a natural mineral found in many different foods and supplements. Zinc is a first line treatment when it comes to skin conditions like acne vulgaris, breakouts of pimples and oily skin.

Let’s start with how zinc helps clear up acne and pimples…

Zinc can help to regulate sex hormone production like testosterone

• Zinc is a natural androgen blocker which means that it blocks some of the effects that androgens (like testosterone) have on the sebum producing glands in the skin(1)

• This makes zinc an effective treatment for androgen driven issues like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), facial hair growth (hirsutism) and acne. 

Zinc can help balance oily skin that is prone to pimples and break outs

• When there’s higher levels of androgens in circulation, the skin responds by producing more sebum which can make the skin feel oily and congested

• When zinc helps balance androgens, it naturally reduces sebum production(1)

• Zinc also has an antioxidant action which means the skin sebum doesn’t oxidise as quickly, reducing inflammation in the skin(2-3)

Zinc speeds up healing of acne cysts and pimples while reducing scarring

• The skin uses zinc to make new skin cells - when you have pimples or acne, the skin is wounded and needs to repair itself with new cells(4)

• Zinc is also needed for maintaining collagen which keeps the skin youthful and firm(4)

• Because zinc speeds up wound healing and healthy skin tissue formation, the skin is less likely to lay down scar tissue

Zinc helps kill bacteria that contribute to acne

• P. acnes is a species of bacteria that when in overgrowth, can contribute to acne and pimples(5)

• Zinc is anti-bacterial and helps the immune system keep these bacteria in normal levels(6) 

How much zinc to take for pimples and acne?

This will depend on your individual case, your diet and if you’re taking any medications and supplements. The usual daily dosing range for zinc is between 25-50mg per day taken with dinner. This is absolutely not intended to be prescriptive advice - this article is just an educational guide, so please seek personalised advice from your health professional before taking zinc.

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Reference List

1.        Piérard-Franchimont C, Goffin V, Piérard GE, Visser JN, Jacoby H. A double-blind controlled evaluation of the sebosuppressive activity of topical erythromycin-zinc complex. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1995. doi:10.1007/BF00192359

2.        Goransson K, Liden S, Odsell L. Oral zinc in acne vulgaris: A clinical and methodological study. Acta Derm Venereol. 1978. doi:102340/0001555558443448

3.        Jarrousse V, Castex-Rizzi N, Khammari A, Charveron M, Dréno B. Zinc salts inhibit in vitro Toll-like receptor 2 surface expression by keratinocytes. Eur J Dermatology. 2007. doi:10.1684/ejd.2007.0263

4.        Park K. Role of micronutrients in skin health and function. Biomol Ther. 2015. doi:10.4062/biomolther.2015.003

5.        Dréno B. What is new in the pathophysiology of acne, an overview. J Eur Acad Dermatology Venereol. 2017. doi:10.1111/jdv.143746.        Mitchnick MA, Fairhurst D, Pinnell SR. Microfine zinc oxide (Z-Cote) as a photostable UVA/UVB sunblock agent. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1999. doi:10.1016/S0190-9622(99)70532-3