5 Best Supplements for Acne That Actually Work
Have you ever heard someone tell you about how supplements for acne can help with breakouts? I know it’s hard to believe, but trust me, they do work.
If you’re a teen suffering from frequent acne breakouts, you’re not alone. Millions of people around the world, regardless of their age, have to fight with this skin condition on a day to day basis.
Being someone who has suffered from acne for years, I have learned quite a few things about how those pesky little spots work.
And in all these years, I have found out that if you keep your nutrition in check, most of the time acne breakouts don’t happen. And how do you ensure your nutrition is top-notch? By adding supplements to a healthy diet.
Here are 5 supplements that not only keep you healthy but also fight back acne.
5 Best Supplements for Acne
Vitamin A
Did you know that acne-prone skin tends to shed five times more dead skins than a normal skin?
These dead cells partially to be blamed for your acne because they can build-up and clog your pores. But that isn’t all, the dead skin reacts with acne-causing bacteria and creates a sticky layer under your skin.
This becomes a condition known as microcomodone. This is where the acne breakout begins.
If you want to slow down this cell turnover, then you’ll need Vitamin A.
Vitamin A is one of the best supplements for acne because it slows down the cell turnover and stops them from clogging your pores. It’s an antioxidant that also has natural anti-inflammatory qualities. This helps reduce swelling and redness too.
Omega 3 Fish Oil
Omega 3 Fish Oil is a well known essential fatty acid and it is excellent for the health of your skin. The oil is a natural anti-inflammatory component that helps soothe inflammation caused by bacteria and sebum in the skin.
Acne breakouts happen because of two inflammatory chemicals known as LTB4 and PGE2. Omega 3 fish oil fights them effectively.
If you’re looking for natural sources of Omega-3’s then try eating lots of avocados and fish which are a great source. But it is always better to take it in supplement form for better and faster results.
Chaste Berry Vitex
If you’re a woman who typically has acne on the chin and jawline, then make Vitex a part of your skin-care package.
Vitex agnus castus which is also known as Chasteberry has been used for centuries as an aid for menstrual pain, bloating, PMS, and other menstrual-related problems.
Vitex is often recommended as supplements for acne because it helps in promoting a healthy hormone balance, and that is the key to making sure acne does not burst when you’re having hormonal changes.
When Vitex enters your body, it works on the hypothalamus and pituitary glands to increase the production of luteinizing hormone which helps in the release of follicle-stimulating hormone.
This helps you beat back even the worst kind of acne breakouts.
Zinc
Zinc is a very important part of any health regimen, but when it comes to acne, it can do wonders.
Zinc is a very effective anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory agent that fights of acne-causing bacteria on the skin. It also helps the skin break down substance P, a nerve chemical which is responsible for producing oil in your body when you’re stressed out.
Pair zinc supplements with Vitamin A and you’ll have the perfect solution to keep even the most persistent acne at bay.
Probiotics
You may not know this, but your digestive system is partial to be blamed for your acne condition. Believe it or not, when your digestive system is working fine, your body works fine too. And this ultimately helps with acne.
There’s actually a pretty good reason behind this.
The digestive system of the body is where all the nutrients are absorbed from the food you consume. It is also where all the harmful toxins are removed from the body. And it is also the place where most of your immune cells live.
If your digestive system is not working properly, it can mean that the toxins will stay in your body and will cause various problems including the weakening of the immune system as well as causing inflammation throughout the body.
When inflammation takes over the body, we see it as acne, dull skin, and redness outside.
One of the best ways to fix a problematic digestive system is to introduce probiotics. These supplements feed your gut with good bacteria that is needed to get rid of toxins.
So if you’re having frequent acne breakouts, introduce probiotics in your diet and you’ll see the difference for yourself.
- Trouble With Teenage Acne? Here Are Some Solutions
Teenage acne is another contributor to low self-esteem, something which many teenagers suffer from. Although they may deny it bothers them, the odds are it bothers them a lot. It can inhibit their emotional growth as well as affecting their grades in high school. No teenager today wants to live with this condition, and although it may take a bit of encouragement from parents it's important that they see the family doctors as soon as possible. There is absolutely no reason for any teenager to have to deal with this problem in the 21st century.
- It's also important that teenagers understand that the acne they are suffering with has absolutely nothing to do with dirty skin or poor hygiene habits. In many of the cases that doctors see, the cause is actually an infection. The skin becomes inflamed due to bacteria that everyone has on their skin. Not only that, but it's quite common that if your parents suffered from bad bouts of acne, then you will have inherited the condition. The biggest culprit when it comes to acne is hormones. Teenagers know well that they have little control over their hormones. The good news is, this condition is highly treatable these days using one or a combination of different methods. The earlier you start treating it, the more success you will have.
- Most teenagers have already gone the route of over the counter medications and soaps and usually with little results to show for it. If they still have acne then it's time to see a doctor. He will most likely recommend some prescription treatments. For most teenagers, this is all they will need as these also normally work well. On the other hand, if you have stubborn and very inflamed acne then your doctor will most likely refer you to a good dermatologist. Dermatologists have a number of different tools available to them to help cure even stubborn acne.
- Dermatologists have been using acne laser treatments for some time now with very successful results. These lasers kill the bacteria growth that is causing the acne. These lasers are completely painless and are a form of dermabrasion. Some stubborn acne can also be treated with a type of acid peel. They are simply a combination of fruit acids that help treat the acne that is present and can also help to improve scarring on the face from previous outbreaks.
Blue light is another treatment that helps many and some doctors will use it along with Levulan ala. It too helps to destroy the bacteria and also has the side benefit of helping with the production of collagen and it also helps to reduce the size of the pores. Although this procedure takes a bit longer it has a high success rate.
The main theme with all these therapies is killing the bacteria that are always on the surface of the skin. Since hormonal changes are the main culprit for teenage acne, it may be that teens will have to repeat treatments until the hormones in their body start to regulate themselves. This may take a number of years, but the good news is that their teenage years can be a lot happier with these treatments and will allow them to carry on a happy and normal social life.
About The Author
Blaire Cafferty
Always had bad skin growing up and finally figured out what worked for me... my goal is to help figure out what works for you!