Repurposing Metformin for Dermatological Use: Mechanisms, Evidence, and Clinical Perspectives
March 2026
in “
Dermato
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New to Metformin? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → 
Studysummary In this narrative review, researchers synthesized current evidence on topical metformin's potential benefits for various skin conditions, citing primarily preclinical studies that highlight its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and regenerative properties, although clinical translation requires further rigorous trials. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
The review discusses the potential of repurposing metformin, an antidiabetic drug, for dermatological applications due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and metabolic effects. Metformin's activation of the AMPK pathway is key to its action, influencing inflammation, melanogenesis, and keratinocyte differentiation. Evidence from 28 studies suggests metformin's potential in treating acne, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, melasma, psoriasis, and androgenetic alopecia (AGA), with promising results in hair growth modulation. Preclinical studies indicate benefits in skin regeneration, photoaging, wound healing, and skin cancer. However, the review highlights the need for further clinical trials to confirm metformin's efficacy and safety, as current evidence is limited by a lack of standardized formulations and robust clinical data.
