Researchers surveyed over 200 people with vitiligo—a skin condition that causes white patches—to learn what treatments they actually use. They found that 41% of patients use over-the-counter products like makeup, vitamins, and supplements either instead of or alongside prescribed medications. The most popular choices were camouflage makeup, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and zinc. People chose these products mainly because they were unhappy with prescription treatments, worried about side effects, or wanted something more convenient and affordable. The study shows that many vitiligo patients are looking beyond traditional doctor-prescribed options, and doctors should understand what their patients are trying.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: What over-the-counter products and home remedies people with vitiligo use to treat their skin condition, why they use them, and whether they think they work
- Who participated: 224 adults with vitiligo from around the world who were at least 18 years old. About 70% were women, half were between 45-64 years old, and most were White. Participants were recruited through a vitiligo foundation, support groups, and social media
- Key finding: 41% of vitiligo patients use over-the-counter products—either alone (19%) or combined with prescription treatments (22%). The most popular products were camouflage makeup, vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc, ginkgo biloba, and vitamin C. Only 6% reported mild side effects
- What it means for you: If you have vitiligo, you’re not alone if you’re trying products beyond what your doctor prescribed. Many people do this because they’re frustrated with standard treatments or worried about side effects. Talk to your doctor about what you’re using so they can help you safely and find the best approach for your situation
The Research Details
This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot in time of what people were doing. Between July 2021 and June 2022, they sent an anonymous online survey to adults with vitiligo through email and social media. The survey asked about over-the-counter products they used, why they used them, how well they worked, and any side effects they experienced.
Participants could choose from a list of common products or write in their own. The researchers defined ‘over-the-counter products’ broadly to include both supplements and camouflage makeup, since many vitiligo patients use makeup to cover the white patches on their skin.
This approach allowed researchers to gather information from people across different countries and backgrounds without controlling their behavior or assigning them to different treatment groups.
This type of study is important because it shows what people are actually doing in real life, not what doctors think they should be doing. Understanding patient behavior helps doctors have better conversations with their patients and develop treatments that address real concerns like side effects and convenience. The findings can also guide future research into which products might actually help.
The study’s strengths include its international scope and the use of established patient networks, which likely reached people actively managing their condition. However, the study only captured people who responded to the survey, so it may not represent all vitiligo patients. The survey was anonymous, which encourages honest answers. The sample size of 224 is moderate—large enough to identify patterns but not large enough to make very detailed comparisons between groups. The study was observational, meaning it shows what people do but cannot prove that products caused improvements.
What the Results Show
Just over 4 in 10 vitiligo patients surveyed used over-the-counter products. About 1 in 5 used these products exclusively instead of prescription treatments, while another 1 in 5 combined them with prescribed medications. The remaining 59% relied only on prescription treatments from their doctors.
The most frequently used products were camouflage makeup (used to cover white patches), followed by vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc, ginkgo biloba, and vitamin C. These products were chosen because patients felt prescription treatments weren’t working well enough, worried about side effects from medications, found prescriptions inconvenient to use, or couldn’t afford them.
When asked which products seemed most helpful, camouflage makeup ranked first. This makes sense because it provides immediate visible results—covering the white patches right away—unlike supplements that might take weeks or months to show any effect. Very few people (6.3%) reported experiencing side effects from the over-the-counter products they used, and these were described as mild.
The study revealed important patterns about who uses these products. Dissatisfaction with conventional therapy was the leading reason people turned to alternatives, suggesting that current prescription treatments may not be meeting patient needs. Cost concerns were also significant, indicating that affordability is a real barrier for some patients. The variety of products being used—from vitamins to herbal supplements to makeup—shows that vitiligo patients are trying many different approaches. The fact that camouflage was rated most helpful highlights that patients value solutions that work immediately and visibly, even if they don’t actually treat the underlying condition.
This study adds important real-world evidence to what doctors have suspected: many vitiligo patients use treatments beyond what’s prescribed. Previous research has shown that vitiligo can significantly affect quality of life and emotional well-being, which may explain why patients seek additional options. The finding that patients are motivated by dissatisfaction with standard treatments aligns with other research showing that current vitiligo medications have limitations. This study is one of the first to systematically document which specific over-the-counter products vitiligo patients prefer and why.
The study has several important limitations. First, it only included people who actively responded to the survey, so it may not represent all vitiligo patients—particularly those who are less engaged with support groups or social media. Second, the survey asked people to remember what they used and whether it helped, which can be inaccurate. Third, the study couldn’t prove that the products actually caused any improvements; people might have felt better for other reasons. Fourth, most participants were White women aged 45-64, so the results may not apply equally to younger people, men, or people from other racial or ethnic backgrounds. Finally, the study was observational, so it shows what people do but cannot establish cause and effect.
The Bottom Line
If you have vitiligo, it’s reasonable to discuss over-the-counter options with your dermatologist. Camouflage makeup appears to be helpful for many people and should be considered as part of your treatment plan. Vitamins and supplements are popular, but the evidence that they specifically help vitiligo is limited—talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement. Don’t stop prescribed treatments without discussing it with your doctor first. The combination of prescription treatment plus camouflage may work better than either alone. Confidence level: Moderate—this study shows what people do and find helpful, but doesn’t prove these products work for everyone.
This research is most relevant for people with vitiligo who are frustrated with their current treatment or looking for additional options. It’s also important for dermatologists and other healthcare providers to understand what their vitiligo patients are actually using. If you have vitiligo and are considering over-the-counter products, this information can help you have a more informed conversation with your doctor. People without vitiligo don’t need to apply these findings, though the general principle—that patients often use treatments beyond what doctors prescribe—applies to many conditions.
Camouflage makeup works immediately—you’ll see results as soon as you apply it. Vitamins and supplements, if they help at all, typically take several weeks to months to show any effect. Most people won’t see changes in the actual vitiligo patches themselves from over-the-counter products; prescription treatments are more likely to affect the underlying condition. Set realistic expectations: over-the-counter products may help you feel better or manage appearance, but they’re unlikely to cure vitiligo on their own.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track which over-the-counter products you use daily and rate your skin appearance and emotional well-being on a scale of 1-10. Note any side effects, even mild ones. This helps you and your doctor see patterns in what actually helps you personally
- Start by having an honest conversation with your doctor about any over-the-counter products you’re currently using or considering. Use the app to document this conversation and any recommendations your doctor makes. If you decide to try camouflage makeup or a supplement, log it in the app with the date and your initial thoughts
- Over 4-8 weeks, track your vitiligo symptoms, skin appearance, and how satisfied you feel with your treatment plan. Note which products you’re using and any changes you notice. Share this data with your doctor at your next appointment to help guide treatment decisions. This long-term tracking helps identify what actually works for your unique situation
This research describes what vitiligo patients reported using and finding helpful, but it does not prove that any over-the-counter product effectively treats vitiligo. Before starting any new supplement, vitamin, or treatment—even over-the-counter products—consult with your dermatologist or healthcare provider. Some supplements can interact with medications or cause side effects. This study is observational and cannot establish that products caused improvements. Individual results vary greatly. If you have vitiligo, work with a qualified healthcare provider to develop a personalized treatment plan rather than relying solely on over-the-counter products.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.