Research at the University of California, Los Angeles, suggests that resveratrol, the compound found in grape skins and red wine, can enhance the effectiveness of a common acne medication.
Scientists cultured the bacteria responsible for skin blemishes, known as Propionibacterium acnes. The researchers compared the anti-bacterial activity of benzoyl peroxide alone or with resveratrol.
The combination was significantly better at reducing bacterial growth over time than either compound alone. Putting the two together maximizes the impact on acne bacteria while it minimizes skin cell toxicity.
[Dermatology and Therapy, online, Oct. 2014]
In The People’s Pharmacy perspective, this basic research is exciting because it could lead to better and less toxic acne treatment. Research has also shown that diet makes a difference for acne: people who eat a diet with a low glycemic load, that doesn’t raise insulin or blood sugar much, seem to have much less trouble with pimples.
