Exploring the link between serum magnesium levels and acne vulgaris severity

Abstract

Objective: Acne vulgaris is a prevalent long-term inflammatory skin disorder that notably impacts the quality of life, especially in teenagers and young adults. Although the pathogenesis of acne is influenced by multiple factors, the contribution of micronutrients like magnesium is not yet fully elucidated. This study sought to explore the relationship between serum magnesium concentrations and the severity of acne as assessed by the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS). Materials and Methods: A case-control study with a prospective design was carried out at a single center between March and August 2023, including 60 individuals diagnosed with acne vulgaris and 60 healthy controls matched by age and sex, all between 18 and 30 years old. The severity of acne was evaluated using the GAGS and classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Serum magnesium levels were determined through the Xylidyl Blue colorimetric assay. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 29. For continuous variables not normally distributed, the Kruskal–Wallis H test was employed, with statistical significance defined as p < 0.05. Results: The study included 34 female and 26 male acne patients and 31 female and 29 male healthy controls. No statistically significant differences were observed in serum magnesium levels among acne severity groups or between patients and controls (p > 0.05). Although the moderate acne group had slightly higher mean magnesium levels compared to mild and severe groups, the differences were not statistically significant. Magnesium concentrations remained within normal limits across all groups. Conclusion: Our results indicate that there is no significant association between serum magnesium levels and the severity of acne. While systemic magnesium seems to have a limited role in the pathogenesis of acne, topical magnesium preparations might provide therapeutic advantages due to their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Further studies are necessary to better understand its efficacy.