Evidence supporting the use of: Monolaurin
For the health condition: Acne

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Monolaurin, a monoglyceride derived from lauric acid (found in coconut oil), has garnered interest as a potential adjunctive treatment for acne, primarily due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Scientific validation for its use comes mostly from in vitro and limited animal studies, rather than robust human clinical trials.

Several laboratory studies have demonstrated that monolaurin is effective at inhibiting the growth of Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes), the bacteria implicated in acne pathogenesis. For example, research published in the "Journal of Investigative Dermatology" (Nakatsuji et al., 2009) found that lauric acid and its derivative, monolaurin, showed strong antibacterial activity against C. acnes, sometimes outperforming benzoyl peroxide in vitro. In addition, some evidence suggests that monolaurin can reduce inflammation, which is another component of acne development.

However, despite these promising preliminary findings, high-quality, peer-reviewed clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of topical or oral monolaurin for acne in humans are lacking. Most of the evidence is preclinical, and there is a significant gap between laboratory results and clinical application. As such, the evidence supporting monolaurin’s use for acne is currently limited (rated 2 out of 5), and more research is needed before it can be recommended as a primary or standalone acne treatment.

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