What you eat may show on your skin. In a 12-week trial, young men with acne on a low-glycemic diet had a bigger drop in spots than those on a high-carbohydrate diet. [1] Chromium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels, an approved EU health claim. [2] ClearDerm with Probiotics includes chromium as one part of a 22-ingredient formula, to help promote clear skin. [3]
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From Anirva, the maker of ClearDerm with Probiotics. This article is general information, not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
- Diet and skin may be linked. In one trial, a low-glycemic diet cut acne spots more than a high-carbohydrate diet, and insulin sensitivity improved. The men also lost weight, so the cause is not clear. [1]
- Chromium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels. That is an approved EU health claim. [2]
- ClearDerm provides 200 mcg of chromium (as chromium polynicotinate). [3]
Facts at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ingredient | Chromium (as chromium polynicotinate) [3] |
| Amount in ClearDerm | 200 mcg a day, in 2 capsules; 570% of the Daily Value [3] |
| Adequate intake (adults 19–50) | 25 mcg a day for women, 35 mcg for men [4] |
| US upper limit | None set [4] |
| Kinds of evidence | An EU health claim, a diet trial in acne, an early idea paper, and the NIH fact sheet [2][1][5][4] |
| Last reviewed | [DATE] |
What is chromium?
Chromium is a trace mineral found in small amounts in foods such as grape juice, whole wheat, brewer's yeast and beef. [4]
It may help insulin, the hormone that moves sugar from the blood into cells, do its job. [4]
How diet and insulin relate to acne-prone skin
In a 2007 trial, 43 young men with acne followed either a low-glycemic diet or a high-carbohydrate diet for 12 weeks. Skin doctors counted spots without knowing who ate which diet. [1]
Spots fell more on the low-glycemic diet: about 24 fewer, against 12 fewer on the high-carbohydrate diet. Insulin sensitivity also improved more. The men on the low-glycemic diet also lost weight, so the authors could not separate the effects. [1]
This was a diet trial, not a chromium trial. It suggests that diet and insulin may play a role in acne.
What the research says about chromium
An early idea
In 1984, a short paper noted reports that insulin and a diabetes drug helped acne. It suggested this might explain a report that high-chromium yeast appeared to help acne. [5] That was an idea and an observation, not a trial.
Blood sugar
The EU allows two health claims for chromium. It contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism and to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels. [2]
The NIH notes that chromium may enhance insulin action, but its benefits for blood sugar are unclear. [4] The research is still growing, and no study has shown that chromium helps skin this way.
How much chromium is in ClearDerm?
Two capsules provide 200 mcg of chromium, as chromium polynicotinate. That is 570% of the Daily Value. [3]
The adequate intake for adults is 20 to 35 mcg a day, depending on age and sex. [4]
22 ingredients, including 200 mcg of chromium
ClearDerm with Probiotics is a daily two-capsule supplement that pairs chromium with zinc, selenium and other nutrients chosen to support clear skin. Every ingredient is listed on the label.
See ClearDermWhat the research does not show yet
Is chromium safe?
No US upper limit has been set, because no harm has been linked to high intakes from food or supplements. The NIH still advises caution, because the data are limited. People with kidney or liver disease may be more sensitive. [4]
- Rare reports. Isolated case reports describe problems such as kidney failure, liver problems, muscle breakdown, low blood sugar and skin rash (dermatitis). [4]
- Diabetes medicines. With insulin, metformin or other diabetes medicines, chromium may add to the drop in blood sugar. [4]
- Thyroid medicine. In one small study, chromium picolinate taken at the same time as levothyroxine lowered its absorption. [4]
Chromium is one part of ClearDerm
ClearDerm with Probiotics is a daily two-capsule skin supplement with 22 ingredients: vitamins, minerals, plant extracts, an enzyme and six probiotic strains. They were chosen to promote clear skin, support a clear complexion and support the gut–skin connection. [3]
ClearDerm has not been clinically tested as a finished product. When you take it, you are not relying on one ingredient alone.
ClearDerm is made in Phoenix, Arizona, in a cGMP-certified facility. Every ingredient is listed on the label, and the probiotic blend is given as one total. [3]
What you eat matters too. In the diet trial, meals lower in fast-digesting carbohydrates went with fewer spots. [1] A few points help you use ClearDerm well: take it with food and water, as the directions say; [3] many supplements contain chromium, so count chromium from all your supplements; and if you take diabetes or thyroid medicine or have kidney or liver disease, [4] or are pregnant or nursing, ask your doctor or pharmacist before you start.
If you are deciding
In one trial, a low-glycemic diet went with fewer acne spots, though weight loss may have played a part. [1] Chromium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels. [2] We found no trial of chromium by itself for acne. It is one of 22 ingredients chosen to promote clear skin. [3]
The short version
Chromium is a trace mineral that contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels. [2] ClearDerm includes it as one part of a formula to help promote clear skin. [3]
Frequently asked questions
Does chromium help acne?
We found no trial of chromium alone for acne. In one trial, a low-glycemic diet cut acne spots more than a high-carbohydrate diet. [1] No study has shown that chromium helps skin this way.
How much chromium is in ClearDerm?
Two capsules provide 200 mcg, as chromium polynicotinate. [3]
Is there an upper limit for chromium?
The US has not set one, but the NIH advises caution because data are limited. [4]
Can I take chromium with diabetes medicine?
Chromium may add to the drop in blood sugar. Ask your doctor before you start. [4]
References
- Smith RN, Mann NJ, Braue A, Mäkeläinen H, Varigos GA. A low-glycemic-load diet improves symptoms in acne vulgaris patients: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;86(1):107-115. doi:10.1093/ajcn/86.1.107. PMID: 17616769.
- European Commission. Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/432 (accessed October 14, 2026).
- Anirva. ClearDerm with Probiotics Supplement Facts label and product page. https://anirva.com/pages/clear-derm-with-probiotics (accessed October 14, 2026).
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Chromium: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Updated June 2, 2022. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Chromium-HealthProfessional/ (accessed October 14, 2026).
- McCarty M. High-chromium yeast for acne? Med Hypotheses. 1984;14(3):307-310. doi:10.1016/0306-9877(87)90134-4. PMID: 6236351.
