L-Lysine for Acne: Does It Work? Dosage, Side Effects, and More

• L-Lysine is an amino acid that is essential for tissue repair and growth
• This acid is not produced by the body and must be obtained through food or supplementation
• L-Lysine is not an established acne treatment but can provide several important skin-enhancing benefits to help prevent and heal acne 

L-lysine is an essential amino acid that plays a number of varied roles such as assisting in the absorption of calcium, improving weight loss and maintaining gut health. It can also promote collagen synthesis to promote wound healing, reduce inflammation, and strengthen and improve skin health. These benefits make L-lysine for acne a viable option to help improve the look and health of skin.

What Is L-Lysine?

L-lysine is one of nine essential amino acids key to many bodily functions; all nine must be obtained through diet or supplements as our bodies can’t produce them. 

Amino acids are commonly referred to as building blocks of proteins as they combine to perform specific functions such as tissue repair or regulating digestion.  

In relation to skin health, L-lysine plays a key role in stimulating collagen production. This achieves a number of benefits: 

• Plumps and smooths skin for a rejuvenated appearance 
• Improves elasticity
• Strengthens the skin barrier
• Protects against external environmental threats
• Suppresses the inflammatory response 

This amino acid has also been demonstrated to lower anxiety and stress levels—known acne triggers—by suppressing production of cortisol, a stress hormone. High levels of cortisol cause sebaceous glands to overproduce oils, which strongly contributes to acne development. 

The entire process of stress and the response of skin is complex, but it’s understood to produce inflammation and influence skin diseases such as acne, with respect to severity and frequency.

Is L-Lysine an Effective Acne Treatment?

Acne occurs when a combination of Cutibacterium acnes bacteria, sebum and dead skin cells become trapped in hair follicles and clog pores. Symptoms can be mild to severe and brought on by a range of factors such as genetics, stress and diet; it can also result from hormonal acne, which is a trigger for cystic acne.  

While there are a wide range of established topical and oral, over the counter (OTC) and prescription treatment options available, acne can still be challenging to treat as it takes time, patience and sometimes different combinations of therapy to achieve results.

That being said, L-lysine is not formulated to be an acne medication. It cannot be a replacement for tried-and-true therapies but it can support these therapies by improving skin health through various mechanisms of action, most notably by boosting collagen production and suppressing inflammation. 

Does it work on acne scars? 

This essential amino acid has demonstrated the ability to promote collagen production to soften the look of acne scars. Over time, it achieves this by generating new tissue growth to plump the skin around raised scars and filling in depressed scars to produce a more even, smooth appearance. 

But collagen is most prized as a preventative to scar formation because it plays a key role in wound healing. At the site of a wound or fresh scar, the body uses collagen protein to repair and rebuild tissue to promote fast and effective healing; this results in a less visible scar.

Collagen also helps reduce inflammation which minimizes skin damage and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). In addition, it plays a protective role by strengthening and supporting the skin barrier to improve skin moisture, elasticity and hydration.  

Calms stress and anxiety

Stress and anxiety can have a detrimental effect and cause hair loss, skin aging and inflammation.

There is a strong correlation between acne, acne severity and stress. Science has shown that changes in acne severity correlate highly with increasing levels of stress, demonstrating that stress has a significant influence on acne. 

This complicated relationship between the mind and body is known as the brain-skin connection. 

As discussed previously, in moments of stress, the body releases the hormone cortisol. With prolonged stress, these cortisol levels increase and cause increased sebum production and inflammation; both contribute to acne breakouts.  

Several studies have demonstrated the positive effects L-lysine can have on people who are deficient in this amino acid. One study of patients with chronic and state anxiety (psychological reactions related to adverse situations in a specific moment) found supplementation significantly reduced both types of anxiety. 

Reduces sebum production 

L-lysine can help control and heal acne by reducing sebum production. It has been shown to aid in the production of L-carnitine, a natural substance found within the body that functions in the process of breaking down fatty acids. 

This action has been shown to result in significant sebum reduction in skin which contributes to clear skin and inhibits the formation of lesions and pimples.

Wound healing

L-lysine becomes more active at the wound site to accelerate the healing process and does so via collagen synthesis.

Other Skin Health Benefits of L-Lysine

This essential amino acid has been demonstrated to provide a number of important health benefits. 

Bone health 

L-Lysine can aid in the body’s absorption of calcium which is beneficial for everyone, but most important to those with osteoporosis, a disease common among women that causes bones to become weak and fragile, and at risk of breaking or shattering. 

Studies have found that women who are vitamin B-deficient are at increased risk of developing this disease. Including B vitamins alongside L-lysine can therefore provide greater protection as they can also maintain bone density and protect against fractures. These vitamins include B2, B6, folate and B12.

Cold sores

Cold sores, or fever blisters, are caused by the herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) and transmitted by oral-to-oral contact. During times of stress, the immune system is compromised which triggers the development of cold sores.

L-lysine can aid in resolving symptoms by blocking another amino acid, arginine; this is a requisite acid in order for this virus to multiply and manifest as cold sores.

Several studies have demonstrated evidence to support l-lysine as an effective preventative,

including significant reductions in recurrence rates and reducing lesion frequency.

Another clinical study testing a combination of  L-lysine and zinc in an herbal-based product produced significant improvements in 93% of participants by day 6; cold sores can typically last up to 21 days without treatment. 

Weight loss

The same mechanism that aids in sebum production—the production of L-carnitine—works to contribute to weight loss and management. 

One study review found this amino significantly decreased body weight, BMI, (body mass index) and fat mass. Another study review reported these same results, but importantly, revealed that these results were only seen in overweight and obese subjects; l-carnitine decreased weight, and BMI alone when combined with other lifestyle modifications.

How to Use L-Lysine for Your Skin

You can obtain L-lysine through your diet or through supplementation.

There are a wide variety of foods to choose from and these can be suitable for all types of diets such as vegan or vegetarian, and weight loss programs. 

The following are some examples of foods high in this essential amino acid:

• Beans: black, kidney and navy; chickpeas and hummus; legumes
• Certain fish: cod and sardines
• Cheese (especially parmesan)
• Eggs
• Meat: red meat, pork and poultry
• Nuts and seeds: pumpkin, pistachios, macadamia
• Soy based products: edamame, soybeans, soy milk, tofu 
• Vegetables and fruit: avocados, beets, green and red peppers, potatoes; dried apricots (very high), pears, tomatoes

L-Lysine supplements

You may also choose to take Lysine supplements if you feel you aren’t obtaining adequate amounts from your diet; these can be found in tablet, capsule and powder form.

Supplements may be an optimal choice for those on restricted diets or are unable to tolerate certain foods.  

Dosage 

Dosage is determined by body weight as well as a number of factors such as your general health. 

You can also include other supplements to strengthen the effects of this amino acid or to obtain additional benefits. Vitamin C helps with absorption, and supports immune health and collagen synthesis; zinc has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, can regulate sebum production and boost cell turnover.

To ensure you are taking the correct dose of this and any other vitamins to improve your acne, it is advised to consult with your dermatologist or physician. 

Side Effects and Safety

While the use of supplemental amino acids is increasing, currently there are no guidelines as to the maximum dose allowable for safety. In clinical studies, several mild side effects have been reported and limited to the gastrointestinal tract: nausea, stomachache and diarrhea.

Since L-lysine affects the gut and aids in calcium absorption, if you are taking large amounts of calcium supplements or are taking any medicine for gastrointestinal issues, this could cause potential health issues. Seek the advice of your physician before supplementing if you fall within this category.

Can L-lysine cause acne? 

There is no evidence indicating L-lysine causes acne.

Alternative Acne Treatments 

There are a wide range of OTC solutions available to clear acne and promote healthy skin:

• Benzoyl peroxide is a staple in acne management as it can effectively kill acne-causing bacteria, clear pores of dead skin cells, oil and debris; this effectively treats and prevents the formation of blackheads and inflammatory lesions 
• Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that promote a healthy gut flora. An imbalance in this environment has been shown to trigger inflammation which can cause or worsen acne. Specific foods are rich in probiotics or you can obtain the same benefits through supplementation. 
• Salicylic acid is a chemical exfoliant that is ideal for acne-prone oily skin as it removes oils and suppresses oil production; sloughs off dead skin cells and debris; and has a moderate effect against C. acnes   

Takeaway 

L-lysine is an essential amino acid that is responsible for several functions within the body. While not a replacement for acne therapy, it can play a supportive role as it has been demonstrated to produce a number of skin-enhancing benefits.

L-lysine can promote collagen synthesis to speed up wound healing; strengthen, plump and smooth skin; improve hydration and strengthen the skin barrier.

It also works to suppress inflammation which can reduce tissue damage and lower the risk of scars and hyperpigmentation.

You can obtain L-lysine by eating certain foods or by taking supplements. You can also include Vitamin C supplements to aid in absorption as well as zinc for its inflammatory and antibacterial effects. 

To know if this amino acid is right for you and to learn what dosage is optimal, speak with your physician.