Zinc may be beneficial to acne patients. Research appearing in Acta Dermato-Venereologica Stokholm (1989;69:541-543) showed that zinc supplementation may help improve acne. Patients taking 30 milligrams of elemental zinc (as zinc gluconate) per day showed more improvement in their acne when compared to controls not taking zinc. Other research appearing in Acta Dermato-Venereologica Stokholm (1989;69:541-543) and in the Archives of Dermatolology (January, 1977;113:31-36) both show zinc supplementation to help acne patients. Research appearing in the International Journal of Dermatology (October, 1982;21(8):481-484) found that men and women with severe acne had a significantly lower serum zinc than subjects in the control group. Within the same sex group, those with severe acne had much lower serum zinc than subjects with minor acne.