Because zinc is involved in the metabolism of different hormones including testosterone, low levels of zinc create the condition needed for increased conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone or DHT.

DHT is one of the androgens that contribute to the hormonal cause of acne.

The first acne breakouts usually occur during the teenage years when there is an increased production of male sex hormones in the body. The male sex hormones that promote acne breakout are testosterone and its metabolites such as DHT.

DHT causes the enlargement of the sebaceous gland which increases the production of sebum. It also promotes hyperkeratinization which leads to an increased formation of dead skin cells.

These two actions contribute to the colonization of the skin by acne-causing bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes.

The net effects of DHT and P. acnes include the clogging of the skin pores (which leads to the appearance of whiteheads and blackheads) and an abnormal cycle of inflammation (which leads to the appearance of papules, pimples, nodules and cysts).

Therefore, zinc can help reduce acne breakout by reducing the amount of DHT produced. This effectively stops the root cause of acne breakouts.