Effects Of Fish Oil Supplementation On Inflammatory Acne

This study investigated whether fish oil supplements could help reduce inflammatory acne by examining 13 people with acne over 12 weeks. Participants took 3 grams of fish oil daily (containing 930mg of EPA, an omega-3 fatty acid) while continuing their regular diet and existing acne treatments. The researchers measured acne severity using standard grading scales and counted inflammatory lesions.

The results were mixed but interesting. Overall, there was no significant improvement across all participants, but individual responses varied widely. Eight people saw their acne improve, four experienced worsening, and one saw no change. Most importantly, the researchers discovered a pattern: seven of the eight people who improved had moderate to severe acne at the start, while three of the four who got worse had only mild acne initially.

The theory behind using fish oil for acne is based on observations that societies eating more omega-3 rich fish have much lower rates of acne. Omega-3 fatty acids like EPA can reduce inflammation by competing with omega-6 fatty acids that promote inflammatory processes in the skin. Western diets tend to be high in omega-6 and low in omega-3 fats, which may contribute to inflammatory conditions like acne.

While this was a small pilot study that needs larger trials to confirm the findings, it suggests fish oil supplementation might be worth considering for people with moderate to severe acne as part of a comprehensive treatment approach, though it may not be beneficial for those with mild acne.