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Acne is a common skin condition that affects a large proportion of the population, particularly adolescents and young adults, but there is also an increase in subsequent recurrent acne problems, particularly in women.
Zinc , a trace mineral essential for health, is an important natural solution for reducing acne-proneness. This article will help you understand how zinc works against acne , why the bisglycinate form is particularly effective, and what are the best practices for incorporating zinc into your routine.
What is acne, and who is affected?
Acne is a very common skin condition, especially after puberty.
Acne is a common skin condition after puberty, caused by excessive sebum production by the sebaceous glands under the influence of hormones. This sebum, combined with dead cells, clogs pores and promotes the proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes , a bacteria responsible for inflammation and pimples.
Acne affects approximately 75% of adolescents and young adults, with more severe forms occurring in 20% of cases, which can leave scars. There is also an increase in acne in adult women, often linked to hormonal imbalances.
Body parts affected by acne and its lesions
Acne primarily affects the face , making it particularly difficult to deal with emotionally, especially among teenagers. It can also appear, although less frequently, on the neck, back, and chest.
The first sign is usually oily skin, due to overproduction of sebum linked to hormonal changes. This hyperseborrhea promotes pore obstruction, leading to various types of lesions.
THE blackheads (open comedones) are plugs of oxidized sebum, expelled naturally or by pressure, but which can sometimes cause inflammation.
THE white dots (closed comedones) are microcysts formed by the accumulation of sebum and keratin in a clogged pore. They can open inward or outward, causing inflammation of varying severity. In the most severe cases, subcutaneous cysts and nodules can appear, leaving lasting scars.
Acne often progresses in flare-ups, with lesions ranging from mild to severe. Mild forms are characterized by oily skin and a few comedones, while severe forms, with cysts and pustules , can lead to permanent scarring.
Acne solutions: diet, care and micronutrition
For effective action against acne, it is important to adopt a comprehensive approach.
Diet plays a central role: it's recommended to limit high-glycemic foods, such as sugary and processed foods, which promote sebum production. Favoring fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed foods helps maintain a hormonal balance that's more favorable to skin health. Physical activity also improves the elimination of toxins through perspiration.
External care is also essential to limit pore obstruction and prevent skin infections.
Micronutrition can also play a very positive role. Zinc , for example, is a key nutrient for reducing inflammatory sensitivity and improving healing, along with other micronutrients such as selenium, methionine (an amino acid carrying a sulfur atom), and vitamin C.
What is Zinc?
Zinc is a trace mineral that the body stores only in small amounts. The adult body contains about 2 to 3 grams, and daily requirements are around 10 mg.
It plays an essential role in maintaining health. Mainly concentrated in muscles, liver, bones and skin, zinc is involved in many biological functions , making its daily intake essential to ensure the proper functioning of the body.
The role of Zinc in the body and its effects on the skin
Zinc is a key element in many biological functions. It is involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions .
It plays an essential role in tissue repair, the immune system, and the synthesis of proteins such as collagen. In the skin , zinc is involved in wound healing and in the regulation of sebaceous glands.
Zinc deficiency can compromise these processes, contributing to the development of skin problems, including acne.
Research has shown that people with acne often have lower levels of zinc in their blood, which may partly explain their susceptibility to breakouts [2].
How does Zinc work against acne?
Zinc fights acne by working on several levels.
First, it regulates sebum production , which helps prevent clogged pores, one of the main causes of acne breakouts.
Its anti-inflammatory properties also help to calm redness and swelling associated with inflammatory lesions.
At the same time, zinc has an antibacterial action by inhibiting the proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes , the bacteria responsible for inflammation in the pores.
Additionally, it promotes rapid healing of pimples by reducing the risk of scarring. Several studies have shown that zinc supplementation reduces not only papules, but also closed comedones, with visible results after just 8 weeks [3]. This approach has the advantage of being well tolerated, without the side effects of more aggressive treatments such as antibiotics or retinoids [4].
Where to find zinc: food or supplements?
Zinc is found in animal foods such as red meat, seafood (especially oysters), and some seeds and legumes.
However, for people following a vegetarian or vegan diet, zinc absorption may be reduced due to the presence of phytates in plants, which inhibit the absorption of this trace element.
Zinc supplementation therefore becomes a recommended solution for these people. One study found that acne patients with low serum zinc levels saw their skin condition improve with regular supplementation [1].
Zinc Bisglycinate: The Ideal Form for Treating Acne
Among the different forms of zinc present in dietary supplements, zinc bisglycinate is one of the most effective with superior bioavailability.
Indeed, its superior bioavailability thanks to glycine, ensures optimal absorption by the body, allowing it to act more quickly on reducing inflammation and regulating sebum.
Studies have confirmed that patients treated with Zinc bisglycinate experience faster improvements without major side effects [5].
To maximize its effects, zinc can be combined with other active ingredients, such as methionine, a sulfur-containing amino acid. This combination, when combined with antioxidants, results in significant improvement in acne in patients, with notable reductions in pustules and papules after 8 to 12 weeks of treatment [3].
Selective micronutrition (zinc, vitamin C, methionine) provides a basic action against acne sensitivity and helps limit its intensity by improving skin healing. Zinc plays a central role in this. It is unnecessary to have excessive intakes but essential that they are sufficient!
Selected bibliography
- “Acne patients have decreased serum zinc levels” - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32860489/
- "Zinc and acne treatment: A clinical trial" - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17309451/
- "Methionine-based zinc complex shows 80-100% improvement in acne" - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20666829/
- “Zinc is a promising alternative to other acne treatments” - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29193602/
- “Zinc bisglycinate in acne treatment shows significant improvements” - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38612631/
