Radiant yet often prone to imperfections, oily skin can be a source of discomfort. While several active ingredients can improve its appearance, in recent years attention has focused on L-carnitine. What is this active ingredient? What are its benefits for oily skin? Find out more below.
L-carnitine and oily skin: what are the effects?
Published 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?
Oily skin is characterised by an excessive sebum production by the sebaceous glands, that is, hyperseborrhoea. This sebum, primarily composed of triglycerides, wax esters, squalene and free fatty acids, normally plays a protective role as it forms part of the hydrolipidic film that preserves 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 blockage. The hyperseborrhoea can result from hormonal factors, notably an increased sensitivity of the sebaceous glands to androgens, but also from genetic predispositions, an imbalance of the skin microbiota or environmental factors.
To care for oily skin, one must endeavour to reduce excess sebum without impairing the skin barrier.
In this context, the L-carnitine appears noteworthy for oily skin owing to its role in cellular energy metabolism. This molecule acts as a long-chain fatty acid transporter, delivering them to the mitochondria for oxidation and conversion into energy. In the sebaceous glands, much of sebum production relies on the availability of these fatty acids. By enhancing their mitochondrial uptake, L-carnitine could help reduce the intracellular lipid reserve and thus diminish sebum synthesis. This mechanism is particularly dependent on the activation of carnitine acyltransferase, an enzyme involved in the mitochondrial transport of fatty acids.
A study assessed the efficacy of L-carnitine in regulating sebum production using an in vitro. The researchers used a human sebaceous cell line (SZ95) to investigate the molecule’s impact on lipid metabolism. When exposed to 0.5 % and 1 % L-carnitine, these cells exhibited a significant increase in β-oxidation, i.e. the process by which fatty acids are broken down in the mitochondria. In parallel, the amount of intracellular lipids decreased in a dose-dependent manner, reflecting a reduced pool available for sebum synthesis.
Effects of L-carnitine on β-oxidation and intracellular lipid content.
Source: WENCK H. & al. Topically applied L-carnitine effectively reduces sebum secretion in human skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2012).
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, randomised, split-face study. A cosmetic formulation containing 2% L-carnitine or vehicle was applied twice daily to the forehead for 3 weeks. Sebum secretion was measured using Sebutape and a seven-point visual score. | After 3 weeks, there was a significant reduction in the sebum secretion rate compared with the vehicle (score: −0.71 ± 0.96, P = 0.0027). Already at 2 weeks, a marked reduction trend was observed (score: −0.52 ± 0.87, P = 0.0123). The formulation was well tolerated, with no adverse reactions. |
| DETUDOM & al. (2023) | 90 individuals | Randomised 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 TEWL were measured at weeks 0, 1, 2 and 4. | All groups showed a significant reduction in sebum compared with baseline (p < 0.01). Anti-sebum: L-carnitine 34.8%, EGCG 41.4%, combination 43.5%. The combination demonstrated a significantly greater efficacy than L-carnitine alone. Improvements were also observed in hydration and participant satisfaction. |
Clinical findings on the effect of L-carnitine 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).
