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Resveratrol Fights Acne Germs

The antioxidant compound resveratrol works synergistically with a standard acne treatment, benzoyl peroxide.

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.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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