Supplements for acne? This is a question that everyone suffering from acne has had in mind at least once in their lifetime. Let us start with understanding what acne is.
Acne is a condition affecting the skin, where your pores or hair follicles are clogged with dead skin cells and oil. This in turn causes skin inflammation. Acne is more prevalent in teenagers and for other people, it affects them even in their adult life.
Acne can range from mild to severe, with the mild variant being easily treated by over-the-counter medicines. Severe acne should NOT be self-medicated! Always consult a dermatologist on this.
Studies have shown that acne can have several triggers. One that we will focus on today is vitamin deficiencies. Acne-fighting vitamins include vitamin A, vitamin c, vitamin D, zinc and, vitamin E.
Vitamin A
When vitamin A and acne come into one sentence, we think of retinoids and retinol. Topical formulations of these two usually work fast and effectively. Another way of getting vitamin A benefits to your skin is by taking drugs in consultation with your doctor. A risk posed by this is the damage to your organs such as the liver. You can supplement this with foods such as oranges, beef liver, and mangoes.
Vitamin C
After healing, sometimes acne leaves behind scars. This is where vitamin C comes in handy. Vitamin C helps with the healing of wounds and the clearing of dark marks. Good sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits, broccoli, strawberries, and blackcurrants.
Vitamin D
Studies show that people with vitamin D deficiencies are more likely to suffer from acne. Good sources of vitamin D include red meat, liver, and egg yolks. These are readily available ones, and you don’t have to take drugs unless prescribed by a doctor.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an anti-inflammatory. This helps with inflammations on the skin such as cysts and nodules. It also has cell regeneration properties, making it a good anti-aging treatment.
Zinc
Zinc reduces oil production in the skin. This is according to a recent review of past studies on this mineral. The good thing with this is that you only need very small amounts. It also comes in topical application forms. Food sources of zinc are meat, legumes, dairy, and eggs. Oral vitamin E supplements not only support the body’s needs in terms of nutrition but also providing anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties, making your skin look young and radiant. You also have zinc when you take foods such as pumpkin seeds, beef, cashews, and lentils.
In conclusion, you can find all these minerals over the counter as well as in your daily meals. For over-the-counter ones, please consult a specialist. There are side effects to them, and some individuals could be allergic to them. Do a thorough analysis before diving into a solution. What works for one person could not be as efficient for the next one. For instance, if you are allergic to beef, select a friendly option like lentils. There is always something that will work for you. The first option before trying self-medication is consulting a specialist. Knowing the root cause of your acne is the first step to a solution.
