Journal-based CME Course: Safety and Effectiveness of Oral Nutraceuticals for Treating Acne – A Systematic Review

Activity ID

12081

Expires

October 25, 2026

Format Type

Journal-based

CME Credit

1

Fee

$30

CME Provider: JAMA Dermatology

Description of CME Course

Importance  Patients with acne are interested in nutraceuticals as a potential treatment option. However, there is uncertainty regarding the efficacy and safety of these products.

Objective  To evaluate the evidence for oral nutraceuticals in the treatment of acne.

Evidence Review  The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception through January 30, 2023, to identify randomized clinical trials evaluating oral nutraceutical interventions (ie, vitamins and minerals, botanical extracts, prebiotics, and probiotics) in individuals with acne. Clinician-reported outcomes (eg, investigator global assessment, lesion counts), patient-reported outcomes (eg, quality of life), and adverse events were extracted from the included studies. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias checklist tool for randomized clinical trials. Based on the Risk of Bias tool, articles were converted to Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality standards of good, fair, or poor quality.

Findings  A total of 2582 abstracts were identified in the database search, 42 of which met inclusion criteria (a total of 3346 participants). Studies of fair or good quality showed the potential benefit of vitamins B₅ and D, botanical extracts (green tea), probiotics, and ω-3 fatty acids in the treatment of acne. These interventions were most frequently associated with decreased lesion counts or improved investigator global assessment scores. Adverse effects were rare for most of the therapies evaluated, but gastrointestinal tract adverse effects were reported for zinc therapy.

Conclusions and Relevance  This systematic review suggests a possible role for nutraceutical supplements in the treatment of acne. Physicians should be prepared to discuss the evidence regarding the potential role of nutraceuticals with patients. Many studies were of small size, and future research should focus on larger randomized clinical trials to assess the utility of nutraceuticals in the treatment of acne.

Disclaimers

1. This activity is accredited by the American Medical Association.
2. This activity is free to AMA members.

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