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Research · Systematic review

The clinical effects of zinc as a topical or oral agent on the clinical response and pathophysiologic mechanisms of acne: a systematic review of the literature

What it found

Graded the strength of recommendation for zinc in acne as SORT 'B' (limited, inconsistent evidence); zinc shows antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity and may reduce sebum.

Design
Systematic review
Year
2013
Population
acne vulgaris patients across the published literature
Intervention
oral or topical zinc
Outcome
clinical response; antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and sebum-related mechanisms
Journal
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology

Citation last checked 2026-06-21.