The Safety Profile of Acne Supplements: Analysis of Active Ingredients
Main Article Content
Keywords
acne, supplements, nutraceuticals, complementary and alternative medicine, safety
Abstract
Introduction: Acne treatment options vary widely, with many patients using dietary supplements. Despite their popularity, these products pose safety concerns due to lack of FDA approval for safety or efficacy before release. The US Institute of Medicine sets Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) for nutrients, but there are no regulatory limits to prevent supplements from exceeding these ULs.
Methods: On March 3, 2024, active ingredients from the top 50 best-selling acne supplements were collected from Amazon. Data were analyzed to identify ingredients and the frequency at which their dosages surpassed the ULs for different age groups.
Results: The most prevalent active ingredients were zinc (40%), vitamin A (30%), diindolylmethane (DIM) (26%), vitamin E (26%), and selenium (24%). Thirty percent of all supplements contained at least one ingredient exceeding its UL for ages 9 to 13, 20% for ages 14-18, and 16% for ages 19 and older. Twenty-five percent of zinc-containing supplements and 33% of vitamin A-containing supplements exceeded the UL for any all groups.
Discussion: Acne supplements frequently contain ingredients that surpass ULs, particularly zinc and vitamin A. Chronic toxicity from these nutrients can lead to significant health issues. Dermatologists should inquire about supplement use when prescribing treatments like isotretinoin to prevent toxicity risks.
References
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