Does Garlic Help Acne? What Scientific Research Says

On Nov 9, 2023 499 0

For generations, natural healers and alternative medicine practitioners have touted garlic as an effective remedy for acne and other skin ailments. With its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, garlic has a reputation for clearing up pimples, cystic acne, whiteheads, blackheads, and swollen, painful breakouts.

But is there any truth to this traditional folk remedy for problem skin? What does scientific research have to say about garlic for acne treatment? Keep reading as we dive deep into the evidence.

What Is Acne and What Causes It?

Before examining whether garlic can treat acne, let’s first cover the basics about what acne is and what leads to breakouts in the first place.

Acne vulgaris is a common chronic skin condition characterized by clogged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), inflamed lesions (papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts), and acne scars. It most often affects the face, back, chest, and shoulders, appearing as painful red bumps on the skin.

Acne lesions form when hair follicles become plugged with excess sebum (oil produced by sebaceous glands), dead skin cells, and bacteria. This provides the ideal environment for Propionibacterium acnes bacteria to multiply and cause swelling and irritation.

Acne most often arises during puberty and adolescence due to hormonal changes, but can continue into adulthood. Fluctuating hormones increase sebum production, contributing to clogged pores. However, acne can happen at any age and is influenced by multiple factors:

Genetics – Family history plays a key role. If your parents had acne, you’re more likely to struggle with breakouts.
Hormones – Acne in women may flare up before periods due to cyclic changes in estrogen and progesterone.
Sebum overproduction – Excess sebum generated through overactive oil glands clogs pores.

Medications – Certain prescription drugs like steroids and lithium can worsen acne.
Stress – High stress levels increase inflammation and lead to breakouts.
Diet – There are mixed opinions on dietary impact, but high glycemic foods may be linked to acne.
Smoking – Cigarette smoking is associated with increased acne severity.
Skin products – Greasy cosmetics, skin oils, and thick creams can clog pores.

While acne is not medically serious, it can take a psychological toll and lead to permanent scarring if not properly treated. There are many over-the-counter and prescription acne treatments available, ranging from benzoyl peroxide cleansers to topical retinoids like tretinoin to oral antibiotics.

However, these conventional acne therapies often have side effects like dry, irritated skin and increased sun sensitivity. For this reason, many acne sufferers turn to natural alternative remedies like garlic in hopes of clearing up breakouts without harsh chemicals.

How Might Garlic Help Treat Acne?

Garlic is one of the most widely researched medicinal plants, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties that may benefit acne-prone skin. Here are some of garlic’s mechanisms of action when it comes to potential acne treatment:

Antimicrobial Effects Against P. Acnes Bacteria

The sulfur compounds in garlic, especially allicin, have demonstrated antibacterial activities by inhibiting growth and proliferation of P. acnes bacteria. Garlic exhibits antimicrobial effects against both gram negative and gram positive bacteria.

By suppressing this acne-causing bacteria, garlic applied topically or taken orally may reduce papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts associated with inflammatory acne.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

In addition to fighting bacteria, garlic also contains potent anti-inflammatory compounds. The sulfur-containing allicin blocks inflammatory cytokines and mediators linked to acne.

Garlic extracts have reduced inflammation in white blood cells treated with bacterial endotoxin. Applying garlic to skin or consuming it may calm the redness and swelling of acne papules and pimples.

Antioxidant Effects

Garlic has strong antioxidant properties, which can minimize oxidative damage involved in acne. Acne lesions are associated with lower antioxidant levels.

Garlic’s antioxidants like allicin scavenge free radicals that trigger inflammation. This helps combat oxidative stress in skin cells and tissues.

Improved Circulation

Some natural health practitioners claim garlic enhances circulation in peripheral blood vessels when consumed regularly. Improved blood flow could potentially benefit acne by delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the skin to accelerate healing.

However, there is limited evidence that garlic acts as a vasodilator and circulatory aid when eaten. This mechanism of action is unproven.

Liver Detoxification

According to naturopathic medicine, garlic may support detoxification processes in the liver. Enhancing the liver’s ability to filter toxins could theoretically help clear acne from the inside out.

But again, human studies demonstrating garlic’s detoxifying effects are lacking. Any potential anti-acne benefits from liver detoxification are theoretical.

So in summary, garlic’s antimicrobial effects on P. acnes bacteria and anti-inflammatory properties are the primary mechanisms by which garlic may improve acne. However, research is still ongoing.

What Does The Research Say? Human, Animal, and Lab Studies

While garlic’s acne-fighting mechanisms look promising on paper, what does experimental research reveal about garlic’s effects on acne?

Let’s evaluate the current scientific literature, looking at human trials, animal studies, and in vitro lab data on garlic for acne vulgaris.

Human Studies on Topical and Oral Garlic for Acne

A handful of small human pilot studies have been conducted researching the effect of topical and oral garlic preparations on acne. However, the research is in its infancy.

Topical Garlic Research

One human study in Iran tested a topical 2% garlic gel applied to acne lesions on 20 subjects. After 6 weeks, the gel reduced mean acne lesion count compared to the control side using base gel only without garlic. However, this study lacked randomization and a blinded control group.

Another small study explored topical garlic extract cream with 1% allicin on acne. Japanese researchers found 8 weeks ofapplication reduced inflammatory lesions like papules and pustules compared to baseline. But again, methodological weaknesses like lack of control group limit this study’s conclusions.

While hinting at efficacy, these early pilot studies lack sufficient scientific rigor to provide conclusive evidence that topical garlic preparations can treat acne. Larger scale, high quality randomized placebo-controlled trials are needed.

Oral Garlic Research

There are currently zero published human clinical trials examining oral garlic supplements for acne vulgaris. This research gap leaves the effects of consuming garlic on acne unclear.

However, some research groups are currently underway. An Iranian study evaluating an oral garlic capsule in 124 subjects with acne was completed in 2021, but results are not published yet.

Overall, the limited human research makes it impossible to determine clear clinical efficacy for either topical or oral garlic on acne at this point.

Animal Research on Garlic for Acne

Mice and rat studies allow testing garlic’s anti-acne effects in vivo while getting around the challenges of human trials.

One study administered aged garlic extract to mice with an inflamed skin disease resembling acne. The garlic reduced skin swelling, inflammatory cytokines, and acne-like skin lesions versus control mice. This indicates oral garlic may reduce acne through anti-inflammatory actions.

However, rodent skin and acne pathology differs significantly from human acne. Clinical studies are required to verify garlic’s efficacy in people.

Test Tube and Lab Studies on Garlic Compounds and Acne

While human and animal research is limited, abundant in vitro lab studies demonstrate garlic’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties relevant to acne treatment:

Multiple studies confirm garlic extracts strongly inhibit growth of P. acnes bacteria at higher concentrations. Specific sulfur compounds in garlic like allicin show potent antibacterial effects.
Applying allicin to white blood cells decreased inflammatory cytokines like TNF-alpha and IL-1beta compared to untreated cells. This shows garlic can suppress inflammation pathways involved in acne.
Garlic extracts applied to human sebaceous gland cells grown in vitro decreased secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators.
Garlic reduced oxidative stress and free radical damage in skin cell cultures and tissue models exposed to UV radiation, which may benefit acne.

Together, these lab studies provide convincing molecular evidence that garlic exhibits antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities against acne. However, living skin is more complex. Well-designed human studies are still needed.

Potential Side Effects and Safety Concerns With Garlic

While garlic appears relatively safe and well-tolerated topically and orally in small amounts, some safety concerns exist:

Skin irritation – Raw garlic can cause burns, rashes, and irritation when applied to skin, especially in people with sensitive skin. Start with high dilutions.
Botulism risk – Applying raw garlic preparations like crushed cloves directly to skin carries a low risk for botulism poisoning from bacterial contamination. Stick to commercial garlic gels and extracts designed for topical use.
Bleeding problems – Oral garlic supplements have blood thinning effects. People with bleeding disorders or taking anticoagulant medications should use caution with oral garlic.
Allergic reactions – Garlic allergies are rare but possible. Discontinue use if signs of allergic reaction appear like rash, itching, swelling, and shortness of breath.
Sensitive skin precautions – Garlic may cause irritation and redness on sensitive skin. Patch test topical garlic preparations before widespread use.

Overall, garlic is likely safe for most people if used appropriately as directed. But anyone on medications should consult their physician before using medicinal garlic.

Putting It All Together: Should You Use Garlic for Acne?

Based on a thorough review of the current scientific literature, here is a summary of key points regarding garlic for acne vulgaris:

Preliminary lab research and traditional medicinal use suggest garlic may help treat acne due to its antimicrobial effects on P. acnes bacteria and anti-inflammatory properties. But human studies are severely lacking.
Small pilot studies hint that topical garlic extracts may reduce acne lesions, but lack sufficient rigorous, large scale trials to provide conclusive evidence of efficacy and safety.
There are currently no published human studies on oral garlic supplements for acne. Animal research and anecdotal reports suggest oral garlic may help acne, but robust clinical data is missing.
While garlic appears mostly safe for topical and internal use, skin irritation with topical use and bleeding concerns with high oral doses must be considered.
Overall, research is still in extremely early stages. There is currently insufficient clinical evidence to recommend garlic as a proven first-line acne treatment.

The Bottom Line: More Rigorous Human Research on Garlic for Acne Needed

Based on a detailed evaluation of the experimental literature, there is intriguing preclinical data suggesting garlic may aid in reducing acne through several mechanisms. However, the current body of evidence is not robust and conclusive enough to demonstrate garlic is an effective acne remedy.

Much more rigorous, large scale clinical trials on both topical and oral garlic preparations for treating acne are required before stronger conclusions can be made. Future research should compare garlic head-to-head against proven topical and oral acne medications using proper blinding, randomization, and control groups.

While garlic appears beneficial and relatively safe in lab and animal studies, real-world human skin is more complex. Well-designed human studies incorporating clinic dermatological acne assessments are needed before garlic can be recommended as an evidence-based acne treatment.

In summary, while promising as an ancient folk remedy, garlic cannot yet be conclusively recommended based on science for acne vulgaris treatment. Speak to your dermatologist before trying garlic for acne, and advocate for increased clinical research on this traditional medicine.