Role of vitamin D supplement adjunct to topical benzoyl peroxide in acne: a randomized double-blinded controlled study

Abstract

Background: Acne is an inflammatory condition of the pilosebaceous unit. Previous studies have established a link between acne and vitamin D deficiency and the potential effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in treatment. However, the efficacy of vitamin D as an adjuvant treatment for acne remains unknown. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of weekly vitamin D2 oral administration as an adjunctive treatment to standard topical care for acne. Methods: This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial including subjects with mild-to-moderate acne. Topical 2.5% benzoyl peroxide was applied twice daily for 12 weeks to all subjects. Subjects were randomly allocated to receive either oral vitamin D2 40,000 IU weekly or placebo weekly during the treatment period. No additional treatment was administered during the 4-week follow-up period. Results: A total of 44 subjects were included in this study. All of them had inadequate 25(OH)D levels. Both regimens showed significant improvement in acne during the treatment period. Weekly vitamin D2 supplementation significantly prevented the relapse of inflammatory acne lesions (P = .048) at the follow-up visit. No adverse effects or biochemical changes were observed. Limitations: There were no subjects of severe acne vulgaris. Conclusion: Adjunctive weekly vitamin D2 supplementation to standard topical benzoyl peroxide could reduce relapses of inflammatory lesions in mild-to-moderate acne.