Peer-reviewed research on Zinc, summarised in plain language. Every study links to its record on PubMed so you can read it yourself.
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
This large review of 3880 people with acne included zinc, but the abstract does not report any zinc-specific results on how well it cleared acne.
Serum zinc levels and efficacy of zinc treatment in acne vulgaris: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Dermatologic therapy2020Meta-analysisPositive
A large review found that zinc, used on its own or with other treatments, helped clear red, sore acne spots and did not raise side effects.
Minocycline for acne vulgaris: efficacy and safety.
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews2012Meta-analysis6,013 participantsPositive
In a review of 6013 people with acne, a treatment that used zinc with topical erythromycin worked better than minocycline.
Safety and Effectiveness of Oral Nutraceuticals for Treating Acne: A Systematic Review.
JAMA dermatology2023Systematic review3,346 participantsNeutral
In a large review of 3346 people with acne, zinc was linked to stomach side effects, but this abstract did not report that it helped clear acne.
Effects of Zinc Supplementation on Inflammatory Skin Diseases: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence.
American journal of clinical dermatology2020Systematic reviewPositive
A large review found zinc helped acne in most of the 14 studies, but the authors said the evidence is only preliminary.
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 on acne 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 found that zinc may help acne, but the evidence was limited and not consistent.
Acne vulgaris.
BMJ clinical evidence2011Systematic reviewNeutral
This large review of acne treatments mentioned zinc only as part of erythromycin used together with zinc, and the abstract did not report a zinc-specific acne result.
Acne vulgaris.
BMJ clinical evidence2008Systematic reviewNeutral
This large review looked at acne treatments and mentioned zinc only as part of erythromycin with zinc, but it did not report a separate 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 trial of 16 people with acne, a cream containing zinc improved 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 study of 150 people with acne, a cream containing zinc worked about as well as benzoyl peroxide for clearing acne.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the efficacy and safety of lactoferrin with vitamin E and zinc as an oral therapy for mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
International journal of dermatology2017RCT164 participantsPositive
In a 3-month trial of 164 people with mild to moderate acne, a supplement with zinc helped clear more pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads than a placebo.
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 treatment with zinc helped clear 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% zinc sulphate solutionPositive
In a 2-month trial of 40 people with acne, zinc sulphate solution helped reduce red, sore spots, 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 study of 148 people with mild to moderate facial acne, zinc acetate used with erythromycin improved acne, but it worked more slowly than the comparison treatment.
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 participantsPositive
In a 16-week study of 246 people with mild to moderate acne, clindamycin with zinc cleared pimples about as well as clindamycin alone.
Multicenter randomized comparative double-blind controlled clinical trial of the safety and efficacy of zinc gluconate versus minocycline hydrochloride in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris.
Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland)2001RCT332 participants30 mg elemental zincPositive
In a 3-month trial of 332 people with inflammatory acne, zinc gluconate helped clear acne, but it worked less well than minocycline.
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 a study of 41 people with acne, a cream with zinc oxide cleared acne about as well as benzoyl peroxide over 8 weeks, with fewer side effects.
Efficacy and safety study of two zinc gluconate regimens in the treatment of inflammatory acne.
European journal of dermatology : EJD2000RCT67 participantsPositive
In a 3-month trial of 67 people with inflammatory acne, zinc gluconate improved acne, and a higher starting dose did not work better.
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 study of 72 people with acne, erythromycin with zinc cleared acne less well than benzoyl peroxide with erythromycin.
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 study of 102 people with acne, adding zinc acetate to erythromycin did not clear acne better than erythromycin alone.
An observational study of methionine-bound zinc with antioxidants for mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
Dermatologic therapy2010Clinical trial48 participantsPositive
In a 12-week study of 48 people with mild to moderate facial acne, an oral zinc complex with antioxidants improved acne and was generally well tolerated.
The Nicomide Improvement in Clinical Outcomes Study (NICOS): results of an 8-week trial.
Cutis2006Clinical trial198 participantszinc 25 mgPositive
In an 8-week study of 198 people with acne and/or rosacea, a pill with zinc and other ingredients improved acne symptoms for many people.
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 improved pimples and redness more than a non-medicated cream.
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not any one product.
Products we have confirmed contain Zinc, from their ingredient lists.
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