Vitamins & Minerals for Acne: Evidence-Based Options

Certain micronutrients support skin health and may adjunctively improve acne.

Top Evidence-Based

Nutrient	Mechanism	Sources / Dose
Zinc	Anti-inflammatory, reduces P. acnes, ↓ sebum	30–45 mg elemental (gluconate, picolinate); food: oysters, beef, pumpkin seeds
Vitamin A (retinoids)	Normalizes keratinization, ↓ sebum	Topical (tretinoin, adapalene) = gold standard; oral isotretinoin for severe. Dietary: liver, sweet potato.
Niacinamide (B3)	Anti-inflammatory, barrier repair, ↓ sebum	Topical 4–5% (serum); oral 500–750 mg (monitor LFTs)
Vitamin D	Immunomodulatory; deficiency linked to severity	Supplement to 40–60 ng/mL (1000–4000 IU/day)
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)	Resolvins → resolve inflammation	1–2 g EPA+DHA daily

Less Consistent Evidence

• Vitamin E (topical), Vitamin C (topical antioxidant), Selenium, Probiotics (gut-skin axis).

Cautions

• High-dose zinc → copper deficiency, nausea.
• Isotretinoin: teratogenic, requires iPLEDGE, LFT/lipid monitoring.
• Supplements ≠ substitute for evidence-based topical/systemic Rx.