Evidence Level
Zinc's role in dermatology is extensive and well-documented. Yee et al. (2020) published a systematic review and meta-analysis confirming that oral zinc significantly reduces inflammatory acne compared to placebo, though with varying effect sizes across studies. Zinc gluconate at 30 mg elemental zinc/day for 3 months has been shown to reduce acne lesion counts by approximately one-third. The mineral is essential for all phases of wound healing — inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling — and deficiency dramatically impairs skin repair. Lansdown et al. (2007) comprehensively reviewed zinc's wound healing mechanisms, including its roles in cell membrane stability, collagen synthesis, and immune function. Notably, approximately 35% of adults over 60 have suboptimal zinc status, making supplementation particularly relevant for skin health in older populations.