Barberry has both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. In animal studies, barberry has demonstrated the ability to reduce fat accumulation in sebaceous glands, leading researchers to explore whether it may have a role in acne management.
A study published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements (2012 Dec;9(4):253-61. doi: 10.3109/19390211.2012.726702) examined the effects of oral consumption of an aqueous barberry extract in adolescents with acne vulgaris. The study included 25 subjects between the ages of 12 and 17 with moderate to severe acne. Participants in the treatment group received gelatin capsules containing 600 mg per day of an aqueous extract of dried barberry. The control group consisted of 24 subjects who received a placebo. The trial lasted four weeks.
Facial non-inflamed lesions, inflamed lesions, and total lesion counts were recorded at baseline, at two weeks, and at the end of the study. Acne severity was also assessed using the Michaelson acne severity score.
After four weeks, the Michaelson acne severity score declined significantly in the barberry group. The treatment group also experienced a reduction in the total number of acne lesions. No significant changes were observed in the placebo group. According to the authors, no notable complications or side effects were reported during the study period. The researchers concluded that oral aqueous extract of dried barberry was well tolerated and showed potential benefit in teenagers with moderate to severe acne vulgaris.
