Written by Tabish Mehraj, PhD. At 20 weeks, the almond group showed greater improvements in acne outcomes than controls, with total lesion counts reduced by −22.2% vs. −9.8%, inflammatory lesions by −8.3% vs. +12%, and non-inflammatory lesions by −26.1% vs. −20.4%. Objective lesion severity also decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.001), including reductions in lesion volume, area, and height. In addition, almond consumption increased skin microbial diversity (Shannon index: 2.6 → 3.4, p = 0.039; Chao1 index: 266.9 → 835.2, p < 0.001) and improved acne-related quality of life (p < 0.001) and anxiety symptoms (p = 0.016).

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common inflammatory skin conditions, affecting the majority of adults. Acne has an overall negative impact on quality of life beyond its physical manifestations. There have been reports suggesting that diet plays a major role in the development and severity of acne, as it affects glucose metabolism, the skin microbiome, and hormonal regulation. There is a substantial increase in reports showing a positive relationship between a plant-based diet and improved skin health. One such superfood is the almond, which is rich in vitamin E, magnesium, and zinc and is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Almonds reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α and decrease the activation of inflammatory signaling pathways such as NF-κB.

This parallel, randomized, single-blind controlled trial was conducted to investigate whether everyday almond consumption could improve skin health, acne severity, microbial diversity, and metabolic outcomes in adults with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris. 81 participants were enrolled, and 74 completed the 20-week study. Participants were grouped into an almond group (n = 36) and a control group (n = 38). Participants in the intervention group consumed almonds daily, while the control group followed their usual diet without almond supplementation. Researchers assessed the count of acne lesions, skin hydration, acne morphology, skin microbial diversity, facial sebum levels, metabolic parameters, and psychosocial outcomes over the study period.

Results/ Key Findings

• Consumption of almonds significantly improved the outcomes of acne, with total lesion count reduction by 22.2% over 20 weeks as compared with a 9.8% reduction in the control group.
• The severity of acne improved in the almond group, which included a reduction in surface area, lesion volume, and height, which indicates both fewer and less severe lesions.
• Improvement in skin health was observed, with enhanced facial hydration and a higher proportion of participants achieving almost clear skin, while sebum production remained unchanged.
• Almond intake was associated with increased skin microbial diversity (higher Shannon and Chao1 indices), suggesting a healthier cutaneous microbiome that may contribute to reduced acne severity.
• Certain systemic benefits were also observed, which included reduced fasting glucose, lower TNF-α, improved lipid profile levels (~35% reduction), and better quality-of-life and anxiety scores.

The study has several important strengths. Firstly, it was a randomized controlled design with a parallel control group, which validated the findings. A multidimensional, comprehensive assessment approach was used, including objective lesion morphometry, acne-grading markers, skin microbiome analyses, and patient-reported outcomes. The study focused on young adults who were community-dwelling, who often remain underrepresented in acne research. Lastly, this study remains among the first to simultaneously assess the relationships among acne severity, almond consumption, and skin microbial diversity.

Despite these strengths, several limitations should be considered. The sample size was relatively modest, which limits the statistical power, especially for subgroup analyses. Long-term benefits were not taken into consideration. Skin microbiome analyses were conducted on only a subset of participants due to logistical and financial constraints. Additionally, participant blinding was not possible due to the nature of the dietary intervention, creating the potential for expectation bias. The authors also emphasized that the microbiome findings should be viewed as preliminary and require confirmation in larger studies using more advanced microbiome and mechanistic analyses.

In conclusion, daily almond consumption resulted in clinically meaningful reductions in acne lesion counts, improvements in lesion morphology, enhanced skin microbial diversity, better cardiometabolic health, reduced inflammation, and improved acne-related quality of life. Although larger, longer-term studies are needed, these findings suggest that almonds may be a practical, safe, and nutrient-dense dietary strategy that complements conventional acne management and provides broader health benefits.

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Posted July 1, 2026.

Dr. Tabish Mehraj is a pharmaceutical scientist with expertise in pharmaceutics, drug delivery, and formulation development. She earned her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Mississippi, where her research focused on the formulation, optimization, and characterization of lipid-based nanocarriers for targeted liver delivery of antimalarial therapeutics. Dr. Mehraj has also served as an ORISE Fellow at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where she evaluated the effects of formulation and process design on the quality and performance of intravaginal drug delivery systems and developed bio-relevant in vitro drug release testing methods. She has teaching experience in pharmaceutical and life sciences courses and has authored peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and conference presentations. Dr. Mehraj is an active member of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists and has been recognized by honor societies including Rho Chi and Gamma Beta Phi.

Reference:

1. Forbes-Hernández, T. Y., Vargas-Corral, F. G., Bullón, B., Rivas-García, L., Lipari, V., Giampieri, F., … & Quiles, J. L. (2026). Adjuvant treatment with an oleuropein-enriched olive leaf extract improves periodontal outcomes in older adults with periodontitis: Metabolomic insights from a randomized controlled trial. Phytomedicine, 158222.

References

1. Moitra, P., Madan, J., Shah, K., Mandavkar, P., Joshi, R., Kalita, S., & Udipi, S. A. (2026). Almond supplementation improves acne lesions and skin microbial diversity in adults with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris. Nutrients, 18(4), 625.