Evidence check: Zink in the context of Haut

Zinc is an essential trace element important for skin health, particularly in wound healing, inflammation regulation, and sebum production. The evidence is nuanced: for acne vulgaris, moderate evidence from randomized controlled trials shows mild to moderate efficacy of oral zinc (e.g., zinc gluconate), but effects are smaller than with topical or systemic antibiotics. For inflammatory dermatoses like eczema or psoriasis, data are weaker and often observational. Zinc deficiency (e.g., in acrodermatitis enteropathica) causes skin lesions, but deficiency is rare with normal diet. Consumer DNA tests claiming to predict 'zinc needs' are not scientifically validated – actual zinc status is better assessed via blood levels (serum zinc). High zinc doses (>40 mg/day) can cause copper deficiency over time. Bottom line: zinc can be supportive for certain skin conditions, but don't expect miracles. Evidence grade: human-moderate (acne) to mixed (other indications).