Metformin: Old Drug, New Therapeutic Potential in the Skin? A Brief Narrative Review

June 2025 in “ Advances in Therapy ”

Dimitrios Pantazopoulos, Stella Papachristou, Evanthia Gouveri, Massimo Papi, Dimitrios Papazoglou, Νικόλαος Παπάνας

metformin anti-inflammatory antioxidant anti-proliferative immunomodulatory acne hidradenitis suppurativa acanthosis nigricans rosacea psoriasis wound healing skin ageing

TLDR Metformin may help treat various skin conditions and aid in wound healing and skin aging.

Metformin, traditionally used for type 2 diabetes, shows promise in dermatology due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-proliferative, and immunomodulatory properties. It may benefit inflammatory skin conditions like acne, hidradenitis suppurativa, acanthosis nigricans, rosacea, and psoriasis. Additionally, metformin could aid in wound healing and skin ageing, suggesting its potential as a novel treatment for various skin disorders.

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