Acne: the use of Omega-3 supplements reduces skin inflammation

Omega 3 reduce lesions, scars, and inflammation caused by acne and at the same time improve mood. This emerges from a study conducted by a group of researchers from the Integrative Care Centre in Toronto (Canada) and the Lasky Skin Clinic in Beverly Hills (USA), published in Lipids in Health and Disease¹.

Acne: it’s not just about oil

Acne is one of the most well-known and widespread skin diseases. Over the last 50 years, its incidence has increased significantly. Once considered a puberty and adolescence problem, it is now increasingly common among adults, especially women. Causes underlying the disorder include:

• excessive production of oily material (sebum)
• bacteria
• hormones
• diet
• oxidative stress

Another very important factor is inflammation. According to some research, the influence of diet on acne development is linked to an inflammatory effect. On the other hand, some nutrients may be useful in acne treatment precisely because they regulate inflammatory processes. This is the case with Omega-3: molecules known for their ability to reduce inflammation.

Acne remedies: more Omega-3, fewer pimples

In populations whose traditional diet is characterized by high levels of these fatty acids, the incidence of acne is reduced. Not only that: adolescents who consume large quantities of fish, the main source of Omega-3, have far fewer preliminary acne symptoms such as

• oily skin
• blackheads
• papules
• pustules

Conversely, very often those who already suffer from acne are not big fish consumers.

The study

The authors asked 3 males and 2 females, aged between 18 and 23 years and with acne problems, to use capsules containing Omega-3. All took 4 capsules daily for 2 months, each containing 250 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, one of the main Omega-3s found in fish) and several other elements capable of reducing oxidative stress (selenium, chromium, and a green tea extract). During the treatment, none of the study participants changed their eating habits or other lifestyle aspects. The only other remedy used was a specific and non-aggressive cleanser. After 2 months of intake, the average number of skin lesions caused by acne dropped from 62.8 to 40.4.

Fewer skin infections, higher morale

The most significant effect was on inflammation: the average number of inflammatory lesions fell from 20.8 to 6.8. The researchers also observed a 24% improvement in mental, emotional, and social well-being, independent of the results obtained on the number of skin lesions. This latter data confirms the benefits of Omega-3 for nervous system health demonstrated by other studies. According to the authors, the results obtained encourage further research into the possibility of using these nutrients in acne treatment.

Source 

1. Rubin MG, Kim K, Logan AC, “Acne vulgaris, mental health and omega-3 fatty acids: a report of cases”, Lipids Health Dis. 2008 Oct 13;7.