In a study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology that included 60 individuals with mild to moderate acne, following the Mediterranean diet and taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements led to significant reductions in inflammatory and non-inflammatory skin lesions, as well as improved quality of life.
Notably, 98.3% of participants had omega-3 fatty acid deficits at the start of the study. Acne severity lessened significantly in those who reached target omega-3 fatty acid levels during the study.
Lifestyle interventions, including dietary recommendations, should not be considered in opposition to prescription medications, but rather as a valuable adjunct to any modern acne treatment plan. Future studies should build on the foundation laid by our current findings in a randomized, placebo-controlled design to improve dietary recommendations for acne patients."
Anne Guertler, MD, corresponding author of the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany
Source:
Journal reference:
Guertler, A., et al. (2024) Exploring the potential of omega-3 fatty acids in acne patients: A prospective intervention study. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16434.
Omega-3 fatty acids found to significantly reduce acne in new study