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Whey protein and male acne: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

  • 2024-01-31
  • The Journal of dermatology 51(7)
    • Kittithorn Sompochpruetikul
    • Thanon Khongcharoensombat
    • Yuda Chongpison
    • Wattanai Rittirongwattana
    • Pravit Asawanonda
    • Nopadon Noppakun
    • Chanat Kumtornrut

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 25
Population
men with mild to moderate facial and/or truncal acne
Methods
noninferiority trial, after randomization, intervention group took daily WP 30 g with a non-WP nutritional supplement 18 g, control group took a non-WP nutritional supplement 46 g
Duration
6-month

Background

Acne vulgaris (AV) exacerbation after whey protein (WP) consumption remains inconclusive among experts.

Objectives

To investigate the association between WP consumption and acne severity in men with acne.

Methods

A noninferiority trial was conducted in men with mild to moderate facial and/or truncal acne. After randomization, participants in an intervention group took daily WP 30 g with a non-WP nutritional supplement 18 g (WP group, n = 25), while the control group took a non-WP nutritional supplement 46 g (non-WP group, n = 24). At each follow-up appointment, investigators evaluated acne count (total acne lesions, comedonal lesions, and inflammatory lesions) and severity.

Results

Forty-nine participants had a mean age of 19.7 years (standard deviation [SD], 0.9) and 20.3 years (SD, 1.4) in the WP and non-WP groups, respectively. The mean differences in the facial and truncal total acne lesions for the WP and non-WP group were -5.99 (95% confidence interval [CI], -13.18 to 1.19, p = 0.09) and -2.18 (95% CI, -11.83 to 7.48, p = 0.65), respectively. For severity changes, only one (4.3%) participant in the non-WP group reported an increase in the Investigator Global Assessment scale of at least two levels.

Conclusions

In this 6-month trial, men with acne who undertook WP supplementation showed a noninferior difference in the changes in total acne lesions and severity of facial and truncal acne compared with the non-WP group.

Research Insights

  • Whey Protein→Reduced Acne Severity

    For severity changes, only one (4.3%) participant in the non-WP group reported an increase in the Investigator Global Assessment scale of at least two levels.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    30 g/day
  • Whey Protein→Reduced Total Acne Lesion

    The mean differences in the facial and truncal total acne lesions for the WP and non-WP group were -5.99 (95% confidence interval [CI], -13.18 to 1.19, p = 0.09) and -2.18 (95% CI, -11.83 to 7.48, p = 0.65), respectively.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    30 g/day
  • Whey Protein→Reduced Total Acne Lesions

    The mean differences in the facial and truncal total acne lesions for the WP and non-WP group were -5.99 (95% confidence interval [CI], -13.18 to 1.19, p = 0.09) and -2.18 (95% CI, -11.83 to 7.48, p = 0.65), respectively.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    30 g/day
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