A Vaccine for Acne? Yes, This Is (Almost) Real

A new study is underway at University of California, San Diego which could bring the world’s first acne vaccine.

However, the study has seen some major setbacks due to the uniqueness of the bacteria that is thought to cause acne.

It’s called P. acnes bacteria and it’s apparently good for you (though, I’m sure many would beg to differ). It’s with you for your whole life, but for reasons still undiscovered, it can also cause acne at really inconvenient periods of your life. Like a first date. Or your first day at school or work.

Elizabeth Siegel from Allure spoke to the project’s lead researcher, Eric C. Huang, about what they’ve discovered.

“We found an antibody to a toxic protein that P. acnes bacteria secrete on skin — the protein is associated with the inflammation that leads to acne,” Huang said.

But, as with all initial studies, the trials, which are underway, could take up to two years to complete.

“The next step is testing it on patients in clinical trials,” he said.

It looks like we’ll have to cope with things until then.

Photo: iStock