What the science says about Zinc
Peer-reviewed research on Zinc, summarised in plain language. Every study links to its record on PubMed so you can read it yourself.
Zinc for acne
Not proven yet for acneFew or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.
- The results were split, so there is no clear answer yet on whether zinc helps acne
- Some studies found zinc helped acne when put on the skin
- When used with clindamycin, zinc worked about as well as clindamycin alone
- When added to erythromycin, zinc did not clear acne better than erythromycin alone
16 studies
Topical azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulphur, zinc and fruit acid (alpha-hydroxy acid) for acne.
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews2020Meta-analysis3,880 participantsNeutral
In a large review of 3880 people with acne, zinc was studied in skin treatments, but the abstract does not report a separate acne result for zinc.
Minocycline for acne vulgaris: efficacy and safety.
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews2012Meta-analysis6,013 participantsPositive
In a large review of 6013 people with acne, topical erythromycin with zinc cleared acne better than minocycline.
Evidence-based topical treatments (azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulfur, zinc, and fruit acid) for acne: an abridged version of a Cochrane systematic review.
Journal of evidence-based medicine2020Systematic review3,880 participantsNeutral
In a large review of 3880 people with acne, the effects of zinc put on the skin were uncertain.
The clinical effects of zinc as a topical or oral agent on the clinical response and pathophysiologic mechanisms of acne: a systematic review of the literature.
Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD2013Systematic reviewPositive
A large review of clinical trials suggests zinc may help acne when used on the skin, but the abstract does not give a separate result for topical zinc alone.
Acne vulgaris.
BMJ clinical evidence2011Systematic reviewNeutral
This large review of acne treatments mentioned zinc only as part of erythromycin used together with zinc, and it did not report a separate acne result for zinc.
Acne vulgaris.
BMJ clinical evidence2008Systematic reviewNeutral
This large review of acne treatments mentioned zinc only as part of erythromycin used together with zinc and did not report a separate acne result for zinc.
Rapid and Visible Efficacy of a Dermocosmetic in Acne Patients With Fair Skin Phototypes: Results of a Randomized Split-Face Study.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology2026RCT16 participantsPositive
In a 15-day split-face trial of 16 people with acne, a cream with zinc and other ingredients reduced pimples, blackheads and whiteheads more than untreated skin.
Efficacy of a multitargeted, salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic cream compared to benzoyl peroxide 5% in Acne vulgaris: Results from a randomized study.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology2024RCT150 participantsPositive
In a 56-day trial of 150 adults with acne, a cream with zinc used together with other ingredients improved pimples, blackheads and whiteheads about as well as benzoyl peroxide.
Randomized controlled study of a cosmetic treatment for mild acne.
Clinical and experimental dermatology2012RCT60 participants0.1% zinc pyrrolidonePositive
In an 8-week trial of 60 people with mild acne, a 2-step treatment with zinc and a seaweed ingredient reduced pimples, blackheads and whiteheads more than a placebo.
Topical therapy of acne vulgaris using 2% tea lotion in comparison with 5% zinc sulphate solution.
Saudi medical journal2008RCT40 participants5%Positive
In a 2-month trial of 40 people with acne, 5% zinc sulphate solution put on the skin helped, but it worked less well than tea lotion.
A randomized, single-blind comparison of topical clindamycin + benzoyl peroxide (Duac) and erythromycin + zinc acetate (Zineryt) in the treatment of mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV2007RCT148 participants1.2% zinc acetatePositive
In a 12-week trial of 148 people with mild to moderate facial acne, zinc acetate used with erythromycin improved acne, but it worked more slowly than clindamycin with benzoyl peroxide.
An observer-blind parallel-group, randomized, multicentre clinical and microbiological study of a topical clindamycin/zinc gel and a topical clindamycin lotion in patients with mild/moderate acne.
The Journal of dermatological treatment2005RCT246 participantsNeutral
In a 16-week trial of 246 people with mild to moderate acne, zinc used together with clindamycin worked about as well as clindamycin lotion for pimples, blackheads and whiteheads.
Chloroxylenol and zinc oxide containing cream (Nels cream) vs. 5% benzoyl peroxide cream in the treatment of acne vulgaris. A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.
Clinical and experimental dermatology2000RCT41 participantsPositive
In an 8-week trial of 41 people with acne, a cream with zinc oxide used together with chloroxylenol cleared pimples, blackheads and whiteheads better than a placebo.
The comparative efficacy of benzoyl peroxide 5%/erythromycin 3% gel and erythromycin 4%/zinc 1.2% solution in the treatment of acne vulgaris.
The British journal of dermatology1997RCT72 participants1.2% zincNegative
In a 10-week trial of 72 people with acne, a zinc solution used with erythromycin cleared acne less well than a benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin gel.
Clinical assessment of topical erythromycin gel with and without zinc acetate for treating mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.
The Journal of dermatological treatment2020Clinical trial102 participants1.2% w/v zinc acetateNeutral
In a 3-week trial of 102 people with mild to moderate acne, zinc acetate added to erythromycin did not clear acne better than erythromycin alone.
Coping with mild inflammatory catamenial acne: a clinical and bioinstrumental split-face assessment.
Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI)2004Clinical trial35 participants15% zinc oxidePositive
In a 3-month split-face trial of 35 women with catamenial acne, a paste with zinc oxide used together with miconazole improved acne more than a non-medicated cream.
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not any one product.
How we grade research for acneProducts with Zinc
Products we have confirmed contain Zinc, from their ingredient lists.