Acne vulgaris is one of the most common skin conditions, affecting adolescents as well as many adults. Although it is often considered mainly a cosmetic problem, acne can significantly affect quality of life, confidence and psychological well-being.
Traditional acne management may include topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, antibiotics and, in more severe cases, systemic treatments. However, increasing interest in the “beauty from within” approach has created demand for nutritional and botanical ingredients that can complement conventional skincare.
One promising new ingredient in this area is Verbasnol™, a standardized botanical extract derived from the leaves of Rehmannia glutinosa.
Importantly, Verbasnol™ has been investigated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trial in women with moderate to severe acne. The results suggest that oral supplementation may support a reduction in acne severity while also improving several parameters of overall skin quality.
What is Verbasnol™?
Verbasnol™ is a proprietary botanical ingredient based on Rehmannia glutinosa leaf extract (RGLE).
Rehmannia glutinosa is a plant with a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Verbasnol™ contains verbascoside, a naturally occurring polyphenol glycoside with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Clinical Evidence: Verbasnol™ and Acne Severity
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept study evaluated Verbasnol™ in 22 women aged 18–35 years with moderate to severe acne vulgaris.
Participants received either:
- 100 mg/day of Rehmannia glutinosa leaf extract (Verbasnol™), or
- placebo,
for 56 days.
Acne severity was evaluated using the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS), an established clinical method for assessing acne severity. Researchers also evaluated inflammatory lesions, facial sebum, pain and itching, quality of life, hydration and several characteristics of skin appearance.
Improvement Was Observed From Day 28
After only 28 days, the mean GAGS score decreased by 21.72% in the Verbasnol™ group, compared with 14.20% in the placebo group.
Improvements continued during the 56-day supplementation period.
The authors concluded that supplementation produced a clinically relevant reduction in acne severity and improvements in skin quality and hydration after 56 days.
From Moderate Acne Towards Milder Acne
Another clinically meaningful observation was the change in acne severity category.
According to data presented by the ingredient manufacturer, by Day 56 approximately 80% of participants receiving Verbasnol™ had improved from moderate to mild GAGS scores, compared with 50% in the placebo group.
More Than Acne: Improvements in Overall Skin Quality
One of the interesting aspects of the study is that researchers did not evaluate acne lesions alone.
They also examined several characteristics related to the overall appearance and condition of the skin, including:
skin hydration, radiance, luminosity, smoothness, texture, firmness and complexion.
Participants receiving the extract reported better improvements in several skin characteristics at Day 56 compared with placebo. The study also reported improvement in skin hydration and quality of life.
This makes Verbasnol™ particularly relevant to the growing beauty-from-within category, where the objective is not simply to target one skin problem but to support healthier-looking skin more generally.
Safety and Tolerability
Another positive finding from the clinical trial was tolerability.
During the 56-day study, researchers reported no safety or tolerability concerns related to the extract.
Where Could Verbasnol™ Fit in Acne Management?
For healthcare professionals, the most appropriate way to consider Verbasnol™ is as a supportive nutritional approach, rather than a replacement for established acne therapy.
It may be particularly relevant for individuals interested in:
- beauty-from-within supplementation,
- botanical approaches to skin health,
- antioxidant support,
- improving overall skin appearance alongside their skincare routine, or
- additional nutritional support for acne-prone skin.
A Promising Beauty-From-Within Ingredient
Verbasnol™ represents an interesting development in nutritional skin health because its benefits are supported by a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human study, rather than relying exclusively on traditional use or laboratory evidence.
In women with moderate to severe acne, 100 mg daily for 56 days was associated with a clinically relevant reduction in acne severity, with improvements appearing as early as Day 28. Participants also experienced improvements in several aspects of skin quality, including hydration.
Proakne by Dietmed contains Verbasnol™, together with a carefully selected combination of other ingredients designed to support skin health and beauty and help manage acne from within.
Contact our sales representatives to learn more about this unique supplement and its benefits.
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