ACNE

VITAMIN B3/NIACIN

1. Administration of nicotinamide gel (4%) for 8 weeks was more a more effective treatment for acne than an antibiotic gel. The nicotinamide gel was effective in 82% of cases with the antibiotic gel being effective in 68%. The nicotinamide gel is antiinflammatory without the side effect of bacterial resistance that occurs with antibiotic gel.

Int J Dermatol. 1995 Jun;34(6):434-7. 
Topical nicotinamide compared with clindamycin gel in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris.
Shalita AR, Smith JG, Parish LC, Sofman MS, Chalker DK.
PMID: 7657446

ZINC
(1 gram = 1000 milligrams)

2. Daily supplementation with zinc (30 mg) for 3 months was effective in the treatment of acne. Minocycline antibiotic (100 mg/day) was also effective.

Dermatology. 2001;203(2):135-40. 
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.
Dreno B, Moyse D, Alirezai M, Amblard P, Auffret N, Beylot C, Bodokh I, Chivot M, Daniel F, Humbert P, Meynadier J, Poli F; Acne Research and Study Group.
PMID: 11586012

3. Compared to placebo, daily supplementation with zinc (0.44 grams) for 12 weeks significantly improved acne.

Br J Dermatol. 1977 Dec;97(6):681-4. 
Comparison of oral treatment with zinc sulphate and placebo in acne vulgaris.
Hillstrom L, Pettersson L, Hellbe L, Kjellin A, Leczinsky CG, Nordwall C.
PMID: 146511

4. Daily supplementation with zinc sulfate (135 mg/day) significantly decreases acne. The addition of 300,000 IU of vitamin A does not enhance the effectiveness of the zinc.

Arch Dermatol. 1977 Jan;113(1):31-6. 
Effects of oral zinc and vitamin A in acne.
Michaelsson G, Juhlin L, Vahlquist A.
PMID: 137693