Overview

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 32 Researches
7.7
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 1 Review
8.1

Top Medical Research Studies

9
Vitamin C shows effectiveness for acne
In our recent study, we set out to explore the effectiveness of a 5% sodium L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate lotion, a stable form of vitamin C, for treating acne. We conducted a double-blind, controlled trial with 50 participants over 12 weeks, where half used the vitamin C lotion and the other half received a placebo.

Our findings revealed significant improvements in acne symptoms for those using the vitamin C lotion compared to the placebo group. We measured outcomes through various assessments, including a global evaluation by investigators and self-reported assessments by the subjects, along with lesion counts.

The results showed that the vitamin C lotion was not only effective but also well-tolerated, with side effects similar to those seen with the placebo. This adds a promising tool to the options available for acne treatment, suggesting that vitamin C might play a valuable role in skincare regimens aimed at combating acne.

Overall, our study supports the idea that vitamin C, in the form of sodium L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate, can help reduce acne, making it a noteworthy addition to acne treatment strategies.
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8
Zinc effective for acne treatment
We explored how zinc affects acne through a systematic review and meta-analysis that looked at two main questions. First, we wanted to know if there are differences in zinc levels between people with acne and those without. Second, we examined how effective zinc treatments are for managing acne.

Our findings showed that individuals with acne had noticeably lower serum zinc levels compared to those in the control group. Furthermore, when we looked at treatments, those who received zinc showed a significant reduction in their inflammatory papule count—a common symptom of acne. Importantly, we noted that side effects from zinc supplementation were similar to those seen in other treatments, suggesting that zinc is safe to use.

Overall, acne patients appear to benefit from improved zinc levels, especially when zinc is used either on its own or alongside other acne treatments. This gives hope for those looking for effective ways to tackle acne issues!
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We explored the potential of sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP), a stable form of vitamin C, in preventing and treating acne vulgaris. The study included a time-kill analysis showing that a 1% SAP formulation reduced the harmful bacteria Propionibacterium acnes by a significant log reduction of 5 after 8 hours. This demonstrates the strong antimicrobial properties of SAP against acne-causing bacteria.

Additionally, we observed an in vivo study with 20 participants, where the SAP formulation effectively prevented up to 40% of UVA-induced sebum oxidation, suggesting it can help reduce inflammation associated with acne. In another open-label study involving 60 volunteers over 12 weeks, a 5% SAP lotion was rated as excellent or good in effectiveness by 76.9% of the participants, outperforming a commonly prescribed acne treatment.

Overall, our findings indicate that sodium ascorbyl phosphate could serve as an effective, non-antibiotic option for both the prevention and treatment of acne, making it an attractive addition to cosmetic products due to its lack of side effects.
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Most Useful Reviews

4
Caused breakouts
2 people found this helpful
These pills are not as easy to swallow as others, but I managed. However, I did experience an increase in acne on my face and back while taking them, which cleared up once I stopped.
Read More

Medical Researches

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 32 Researches
7.7
  • All Researches
9.5
Zinc's role in acne treatment
We investigated the effectiveness of a novel microneedle patch designed for acne treatment, which incorporates zinc-based nanoparticles. This patch combines sodium hyaluronate with zinc porphyrin-based metal-organic frameworks and zinc oxide. By using ultrasound to release activated oxygen, we observed a remarkable antibacterial efficiency, achieving a 99.73% reduction in acne-causing bacteria within just 15 minutes.

Zinc plays a crucial role in this innovative approach. Not only does it help eliminate harmful bacteria, but it also appears to enhance skin health. The presence of zinc ions promotes the up-regulation of genes associated with DNA replication, which supports the growth of fibroblasts. This is a vital process for skin repair and rejuvenation, showing that zinc can potentially contribute to both the treatment and recovery of acne-affected skin.

Overall, our findings suggest that this microneedle patch, which utilizes zinc and ultrasound-responsive technology, represents a promising strategy for effectively managing acne without relying on traditional antibiotics.
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9
Vitamin C shows moderate efficacy
We explored the effectiveness of using vitamin C in treating persistent post-acne erythema, which often leaves visible redness after acne has cleared. In this study, participants received microneedling combined with either a 10% vitamin C solution or a tranexamic acid solution. The goal was to see which treatment worked better for reducing redness and improving overall skin appearance.

Four treatment sessions were spaced two weeks apart, followed by assessments two weeks after the final session. We measured improvements using clinical evaluations, 3D imaging technology to analyze blood flow in the skin, and patient feedback.

Our findings indicated that both treatments led to significant improvements in reducing skin redness. However, the tranexamic acid solution yielded even better results compared to vitamin C. Patients reported satisfaction on both sides, but they favored the effects of tranexamic acid more. Notably, any side effects were minimal and temporary.

This study suggests that while vitamin C can be helpful, using microneedling with tranexamic acid may deliver superior results for those struggling with post-acne redness.
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We aimed to understand how a novel formulation combining vitamin C and quercetin can help treat acne. Our study focused on creating small liposomal structures called aspasomes that enhance the delivery of quercetin, a potent antioxidant, onto the skin.

Throughout our research, we thoroughly characterized these aspasomes for their size, stability, and how well they could penetrate the skin. One exciting finding was that these specialized nanovesicles not only preserved the antioxidant benefits of quercetin, but also demonstrated a stronger antibacterial effect against acne-causing bacteria compared to quercetin alone.

In an exploratory clinical trial involving 20 participants with acne, we observed considerable improvements. The results revealed a 77.9% reduction in inflammatory lesions and significant decreases in both non-inflammatory lesions and total acne lesions. These findings suggest that our vitamin C-based formula holds promise in managing acne and could potentially be used for other skin conditions in the future.
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9
Vitamin C reduces facial sebum
We conducted a study to explore the effectiveness of two forms of vitamin C—ascorbyl palmitate (AP) and sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP)—in managing sebum production on the skin. Through a single-blinded, placebo-controlled trial involving 11 healthy female volunteers, we compared the effects of a multiple emulsion containing these compounds with a control that lacked them.

Over 90 days, participants applied the vitamin C formulation to one cheek and the control to the other. We measured sebum levels using a non-invasive device called a Sebumeter at different time intervals. Our results demonstrated that the combination of AP and SAP achieved notable antioxidant activity and effectively reduced facial oiliness compared to the control.

Ultimately, we found that incorporating vitamin C into skincare routines can be a promising solution for controlling excess facial sebum, which is often linked to oily skin and acne. However, while the study highlights the role of these antioxidants in sebum regulation, it does not provide a definitive conclusion on their isolated effects solely for acne treatment.
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We explored the effectiveness of a vitamin C derivative, zinc ascorbate, for treating acne. This study focused on its in vitro antimicrobial activity against Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria often responsible for acne breakouts.

The researchers tested zinc ascorbate alone and in combination with popular antibiotics like clindamycin, widely used in Japan for acne treatment. They examined how these combinations worked against various strains of P. acnes, including those resistant to clindamycin.

Findings indicated that zinc ascorbate can effectively inhibit the growth of P. acnes, even in clindamycin-resistant strains. Notably, when combined with clindamycin, zinc ascorbate demonstrated an additive effect, enhancing its overall antimicrobial effectiveness.

Overall, this research suggests that incorporating zinc ascorbate could be a promising strategy for acne treatment, especially in conjunction with traditional antibiotics.
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User Reviews

USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 1 Review
8.1
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
4
Caused breakouts
2 people found this helpful
These pills are not as easy to swallow as others, but I managed. However, I did experience an increase in acne on my face and back while taking them, which cleared up once I stopped.
Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

No FAQs are available for this product and symptom.

References

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  2. Golonka I, Łukasiewicz IW, Sebastiańczyk A, Greber KE, Sawicki W, et al. The Influence of the Amphiphilic Properties of Peptides on the Phosphatidylinositol Monolayer in the Presence of Ascorbic Acid. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25. doi:10.3390/ijms252312484
  3. Hu JK, Quinonez RL, Antasiuk V, Waibel J. Treatment of Acne Vulgaris-Associated Post-Inflammatory Dyschromia With Combination of Non-Ablative Laser Therapy and Topical Antioxidants. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23:769. doi:10.36849/JDD.8309
  4. Abbas MAM, Elgamal EEAE, Zaky MS, Elsaie ML. Microneedling with topical vitamin C versus microneedling with topical insulin in the treatment of atrophic post-acne scars: A split-face study. Dermatol Ther. 2022;35:e15376. doi:10.1111/dth.15376
  5. Sawutdeechaikul P, Kanokrungsee S, Sahaspot T, Thadvibun K, Banlunara W, et al. Detachable dissolvable microneedles: intra-epidermal and intradermal diffusion, effect on skin surface, and application in hyperpigmentation treatment. Sci Rep. 2021;11:24114. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-03503-5
  6. Amer SS, Nasr M, Abdel-Aziz RTA, Moftah NH, El Shaer A, et al. Cosm-nutraceutical nanovesicles for acne treatment: Physicochemical characterization and exploratory clinical experimentation. Int J Pharm. 2020;577:119092. doi:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2020.119092
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  12. Chawla S. Split Face Comparative Study of Microneedling with PRP Versus Microneedling with Vitamin C in Treating Atrophic Post Acne Scars. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2014;7:209. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.150742
  13. Iinuma K, Noguchi N, Nakaminami H, Sasatsu M, Nishijima S, et al. Susceptibility of Propionibacterium acnes isolated from patients with acne vulgaris to zinc ascorbate and antibiotics. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2011;4:161. doi:10.2147/CCID.S23840
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