Vitamin A in acne vulgaris

Abstract

Thirty‐five patients with acne vulgaris were studied regarding vitamin A and E status, and the safety and efficacy of vitamin A supplementation over a 6‐week period. The patients studied had significantly lower plasma vitamin A levels than normal controls and a lower frequency of consumption of foods rich in vitamin A. Vitamin E status in the patients was similar to that of normal controls. Vitamin A supplementation had no significant effect on plasma vitamin A levels during the study, but the patients had significantly (P<0.005) higher levels at 6 weeks post‐supplementation when compared with pre‐supplementation values. Furthermore, vitamin A supplementation was associated with a significant and progressive increase in plasma retinol ester concentration. Vitamin A at the dose administered was ineffective in the treatment of acne and was associated with symptoms compatible with hypervitaminosis A only in a small percentage of patients.