A recent study found that omega-3 supplements and the Mediterranean diet can improve acne. Experts explain the link and weigh-in on whether you should change your diet and supplement routine to boost your skin health.
Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact-checker, and researcher with more than 20 years of experience in consumer-facing health and wellness content.
Sticking to a certain diet and supplement routine may be able to boost a person’s skin health, according to new research.Over the course of 16 weeks, researchers in Germany followed 58 women and two men, who were, on average, 26 years old. At the beginning of the study, about 98% of the participants were deficient in omega-3. None of them were taking prescription drugs to manage acne.
In the end, 42 of the 60 patients said the changes improved the severity of their acne, and researchers noted significant reductions in the number of inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions. And overall, the participants’ omega-3 levels went up. “Some foods may contribute to acne by influencing oil production and microbiome health,” Engleman said. “On the other hand, a diet rich in nutrients can support overall skin health.”
“Omega-3s have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation associated with acne,” said Engleman. “Having a diet low in omega-3s may contribute to acne because a deficiency can result in higher levels of inflammation and an imbalance in the skin’s oil production.”Despite the study’s findings, more research is needed to determine how omega-3s and the Mediterranean diet affect acne.
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