Shiny and often prone to blemishes, oily skin can cause discomfort. While several active ingredients can help improve its appearance, in recent years attention has turned to L-carnitine. What is this active ingredient? What benefits does it offer for oily skin? Learn more below.
L-carnitine and oily skin: what are the effects?
Published on August 29, 2025, updated on August 29, 2025, by Jamal, PhD, Doctor of human pathology and infectious diseases — 6 min of reading
Themes:
L-carnitine: a natural solution for oily skin?
The oily skin is characterized by excessive sebum production by the sebaceous glands, i.e., hyperseborrhea. This sebum, primarily composed of triglycerides, wax esters, squalene, and free fatty acids, normally plays a protective role as part of the hydrolipid film that maintains the hydration and suppleness of the epidermis. However, when produced in excess, it can lead to a shiny appearance, uneven skin texture, and an increased risk of pore obstruction. Hyperseborrhea can result from hormonal factors, notably an increased sensitivity of the sebaceous glands to androgens, as well as from genetic predispositions, disturbances in the skin microbiota, or environmental factors.
To care for oily skin, one should aim to mitigate excess sebum without impairing the skin barrier.
In this context, the L-carnitine appears promising for oily skin due to its role in cellular energy metabolism. This molecule functions as a long-chain fatty acid transporter, directing these fatty acids to the mitochondria for oxidation and energy production. In sebaceous glands, a large portion of sebum synthesis depends on the availability of these fatty acids. By promoting their mitochondrial use, L-carnitine may help reduce the intracellular lipid pool and thereby decrease sebum production. This mechanism notably involves the activation of carnitine acyltransferase, an enzyme that mediates mitochondrial fatty acid transport.
A study assessed the efficacy of L-carnitine in regulating sebum production through an in vitro. The researchers used a human sebocyte cell line (SZ95) to examine the molecule’s impact on lipid metabolism. When exposed to 0.5% and 1% L-carnitine, these cells showed a significant increase in β-oxidation, i.e., the process of fatty acid breakdown within the mitochondria. In parallel, intracellular lipid levels decreased in a dose-dependent manner, indicating a reduced pool available for sebum synthesis.
Effects of L-carnitine on β-oxidation and intracellular lipid levels.
Source: WENCK H. & al. Topically applied L-carnitine effectively reduces sebum secretion in human skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2012).
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Clinical studies have also investigated the effect of topical L-carnitine on sebum production. The results are encouraging, and two of these studies are presented in the table below:
| Study | Number of volunteers | Protocol | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| WENCK & al. (2012) | 21 women | Controlled, randomized, split‐face study. A cosmetic formulation containing 2% L‐carnitine or vehicle was applied to the forehead twice daily for 3 weeks. Sebum secretion was measured using Sebutape and a 7-point visual scoring scale. | After 3 weeks, a significant decrease in sebum secretion rate was observed compared to the vehicle (score: −0.71 ± 0.96, P = 0.0027). After just 2 weeks, there was already a notable reduction trend (score: −0.52 ± 0.87, P = 0.0123). The formulation was well tolerated, with no adverse reactions. |
| DETUDOM & al. (2023) | 90 subjects | Randomized clinical trial with three groups: cream containing 2% L-carnitine, 5% EGCG, or a combination of both. Applied twice daily for four weeks. Sebum levels, hydration, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured at weeks 0, 1, 2, and 4. | All groups demonstrated a significant reduction in sebum compared to baseline (p < 0.01). Anti-sebum effects were 34.8% for L-carnitine, 41.4% for EGCG, and 43.5% for the combination. The combination showed significantly greater efficacy than L-carnitine alone. There was also an improvement in hydration and high participant satisfaction. |
Clinical outcomes of L-carnitine’s effect on sebum production.
Sources
CHESSA L. & al. L-carnitine enhances resistance to oxidative stress by reducing DNA damage in Ataxia telangiectasia cells. Mutation Research (2008).
MARCOVICI G. & al. Inhibition of inflammatory gene expression in keratinocytes using a composition containing carnitine, thioctic acid and saw palmetto extract. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2011).
WENCK H. & al. Topically applied L-carnitine effectively reduces sebum secretion in human skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2012).
MAIBACH H. I. & al. Oily skin: An overview. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology (2012).
MILLER R. A. & al. Oily skin: A review of treatment options. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (2017).
PEDRE-PINEIRO A. M. & al. Significance of L-carnitine for human health. IUBMB Life (2017).
DETUDOM P. & al. Efficacy of anti-sebum moisturizing cream containing 2% l-carnitine and 5% epigallocatechin gallate in seborrhea: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2023).
