Lactoferrin and Acne: Could This Immune Protein Help Your Skin?

Lactoferrin has been getting a little more attention lately, and not just for its role in immune health. In October, British Vogue explored whether this naturally occurring protein could be the next big thing for clearer skin, featuring Leapfrog IMMUNE among its recommended supplements.

 

But can lactoferrin really help with acne, or is this another skincare trend getting ahead of the science? While the research is still developing, scientists have uncovered some interesting connections between lactoferrin, inflammation and the bacteria living on our skin.

 

First, why do we get acne?

 

If you've ever struggled with acne, you'll know how frustrating it can be, especially when you've tried every cleanser, serum and spot treatment going. And you're certainly not alone. Acne is one of the most common skin conditions worldwide, with research ranking it as the ninth most prevalent disease globally. While we tend to associate spots with our teenage years, acne doesn't always disappear as we get older, with a recent worldwide study finding that around one in five adults aged 25-39 still experience it.

 

But acne isn't simply a case of oily skin or clogged pores, and there's quite a lot happening beneath the surface.

 

Our skin naturally produces an oily substance called sebum, which helps keep it moisturised and protected. When too much sebum builds up alongside dead skin cells, pores can become blocked, creating the conditions for spots to develop.

 

Then there's Cutibacterium acnes, a bacterium that naturally lives on our skin. Most of the time, it's a harmless part of our skin microbiome, but certain strains and changes in the skin's environment can trigger an inflammatory response. Our immune cells release chemical signals that contribute to the redness, swelling and sometimes painful spots we associate with acne.

 

In fact, a 2023 scientific review highlighted just how important the immune system is throughout acne development, from the earliest changes in our pores to the formation of inflamed spots. Throw hormones and genetics into the mix, and it's easy to see why acne can be so difficult to manage.

 

So, where does lactoferrin come in?

 

Lactoferrin is a naturally occurring protein found in milk, saliva, tears and other protective secretions throughout the body. It's best known for its role in immune defence, but researchers have become interested in how some of its properties might influence the processes involved in acne.

 

One of lactoferrin's clever tricks is its ability to bind iron, a mineral that many bacteria need to grow. By holding onto iron, lactoferrin can limit how much is available to certain bacteria. It can also influence inflammatory signalling, which is particularly interesting given the role inflammation plays in acne.

 

And there's another possible connection. A 2023 study found that lactoferrin reduced lipid accumulation and the activity of genes involved in oil production and inflammation in human sebaceous gland cells grown in the laboratory. Similar findings were seen in an experimental mouse model, suggesting lactoferrin may influence some of the processes involved in excess sebum production.

 

Of course, what happens in a laboratory doesn't always translate to what happens in people, but these findings offer some clues as to why researchers are taking an interest in lactoferrin and skin health.

 

What does the research say?

 

The laboratory findings are interesting, but what happens when people take lactoferrin?

 

In 2017, researchers investigated a supplement containing lactoferrin, zinc and vitamin E in 168 people aged 13-40 with mild to moderate acne. Participants took either the supplement or a placebo twice daily for 12 weeks.

 

By week 10, the supplement group showed a 28.5% median reduction in total acne lesions, with researchers also reporting improvements in inflammatory spots, blocked pores and sebum scores compared with placebo.

 

These results are encouraging, particularly because the study was placebo-controlled. However, the supplement contained three ingredients, so we can't say how much of the improvement was due to lactoferrin alone.

 

And this wasn't the only study to find promising results. In 2010, a smaller trial involving 36 adults found that those consuming fermented milk enriched with lactoferrin experienced a 38.6% reduction in inflammatory acne lesions and a 31.1% reduction in sebum content after 12 weeks, compared with their starting measurements. Improvements were greater than those seen in the control group.

 

Although these findings suggest lactoferrin is worth investigating further, the studies were relatively small and used different formulations. Larger, independent trials are still needed before we can say whether lactoferrin is an effective option for acne.

 

What about zinc and vitamin C?

 

 

Lactoferrin isn't the only ingredient worth knowing about when it comes to skin health. Zinc and vitamin C both play important roles in keeping our skin functioning as it should.

 

Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin and supports processes involved in normal cell function. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin, helping maintain one of the proteins that gives our skin its structure.

 

Leapfrog IMMUNE combines 250 mg of bovine lactoferrin with 5 mg of zinc and 40 mg of vitamin C per tablet. While zinc and vitamin C have established roles in normal skin function, the research into lactoferrin and acne is still emerging. The studies discussed here used different formulations and didn't investigate IMMUNE itself, so we can't assume the same results would apply.

 

Is lactoferrin the next big thing for clearer skin?

 

It's easy to see why lactoferrin has caught the attention of skincare researchers. From its ability to bind iron to its potential effects on inflammation and sebum production, there are several reasons scientists are interested in what this protein might do for our skin.

 

But we're not quite at the stage of calling it an acne treatment. There's still plenty to learn about which doses might be effective, who could benefit and whether the findings hold up in larger clinical trials.

 

In the meantime, Leapfrog IMMUNE and DAILY both contain lactoferrin alongside nutrients such as zinc and vitamin C, which contribute to the maintenance of normal skin and normal collagen formation. While neither product has been studied as an acne treatment, they offer nutritional support for normal skin function alongside their wider roles in everyday health.

 

For now, the research is another interesting reminder of how closely connected our skin and immune system are. Lactoferrin may be best known for its role in immune defence, but it seems there's still plenty left to discover about this little protein.

 

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