Vitamins for Acne Prevention |
Overview About Acne
Acne is a skin disease, which is an inflamed skin condition and usually occurs among teenagers during puberty.Basically, acne occurs when the oil glands produce more sebum or oil than normal, which then cause the skin pores get clogged and become inflamed, that are allowing bacteria causes acne to grow.
Besides, acne also occurs because the pores of your skin become blocked with sebum or oil, dead skin or bacteria. It often causes spots, whiteheads, blackheads or pimples.
The first step to getting rid of acne is identifying the basis causes of acne, such as hormonal imbalance, allergies, weakened immune system, etc. A proper step is to start getting the right nutrients and beneficial for acne, like a vitamin.
Experts agree that poor in certain nutrients may play a role in causing acne, such as vitamins, minerals and herbs that support healthy skin and may help stop acne.
Does Vitamin Help to Prevent Acne?
Although a wide range of over-the-counter ( OTC ) and prescription treatments can effectively treat acne, some vitamins and minerals may also be of benefit to people with acne.Expert says that vitamins A, E and B3 as well as zinc, have been proven to fight acne.
But these natural alternatives may tend to take longer than prescription drugs to clear blemishes, even it can take up to two months to see a difference.
However, an expert says that side effects from vitamins are very real if the dosage is incorrect and recommends talking to a doctor before adding supplements to your diet.
It's to ensure that you are following the correct natural treatment for acne. So, vitamins for acne can be extremely effective.
Vitamin for Acne Prevention |
Vitamins that May Help for Acne Prevention
"You are what you eat", is an old proverb that is appropriate to describe our skin condition.Experts say that nutrition has an important role in our skin health. For those of you who have acne prone skin, the type of vitamin consumed is apparently also a big effect.
In this article, we will discuss which vitamins and some food source of vitamins may help prevent acne.
Read more : Food may help to prevent acne
Here are some vitamins that may help to prevent acne.
#1 Vitamin A
Vitamin A has known play a role in many bodily functions, such as:- vision
- immune system support
- reproduction
- red blood cell production
- communication between cells
- proper functioning of the heart, lungs and kidney
Vitamin A may also help counter bacteria that play a significant role in the development of acne. A studies have shown that patients with more severe acne were found to have lower levels of vitamin A.
Foods that contain vitamin A, including:
- dairy products
- fortified breakfast cereals
- beef liver
- cod liver oils
- green vegetables, including spinach and broccoli
- orange and yellow vegetables, such as sweet potato, carrot and squash
- fruits, such as cantaloupe, apricot and mango
- certain types of fish, such as herring, salmon and tuna
Vitamin A derivative, like retinol, are commonly found in topical acne treatments because they can help with acne. As a topical medication, vitamin A can help reduce inflammation in the skin and also prevent skin cells from sticking together and clogging pores.
Most topical medications chemically alter the vitamin into a retinoid. Retinoids are the most effective treatment for acne because of their ability to regenerate and heal the skin fast, so you can quickly have fresh skin.
Vitamin A is fat-soluble, it builds up in your body, and a high intake of more than 10,000 international units (IU) can be toxic.
Expert recommends consulting a doctor before taking vitamin A, as high levels or consume too much Vitamin A can lead to serious side effect such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, birth defects, extreme dryness of the skin, interfere with your vision and may even affect your liver.
This substance also weakens your skin’s natural UV protection, so people using retinoids should take care to avoid long exposure to the sun and use sunscreen.
Besides, topical vitamin A has long been studied for its skin-clearing ( and anti-aging ) benefits, so in this case, it's best to stick with serums and creams, rather than supplements.
As a warning, women who are during pregnancy should check with their doctors before starting to consume this supplements. Pregnant women shouldn’t take retinoids.
#2 Vitamin C
Vitamin C plays many several important roles in the human body, one of which is regulating a number of essential metabolic processes.It's also a strong antioxidant that helps to protect your cells against damage from free radicals. Besides antioxidant is involved in the regeneration of a number of tissues, such as blood vessels and tendons, as well as improve skin and scar tissue.
Although primarily known as an immune-boosting vitamin, it can also minimize redness caused by acne. If you have acne scars, vitamin C is important to helping your skin improve itself and getting rid of it gradually.
Vitamin C plays a key role in collagen synthesis, which helps to improve the overall appearance of your skin by help maintain its firmness and flexibility ( suppleness ). When vitamin C is not present in the necessary amounts, collagen production can become low, so making the skin more vulnerable to damage and more difficult to heal.
Supplements for acne like vitamin C can boost collagen levels and have antioxidant efforts, so that your skin is able to adapt quickly and minimizing the potential of scars.
Vitamin C is an essential vitamin, which means that it is not produced by the human body and it has to be consumed through food or supplements.
While you can get it from most supplements, natural sources of Vitamin C remain the certain way of fulfilling your needs.
Fruits rich with Vitamin C include the following:
- Guava
- Blackcurrant
- Kiwi
- Lemon
- Lychee
- Papaya
- Strawberry
- Pineapple
- Orange
Vegetables rich with Vitamin C include the following:
- Tomato
- Potato
- Squash
- Paprika
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Spinach
#3 Vitamin D
Vitamin D has known as the essential substance to bone health because it helps the body absorb calcium. It also plays an important role in the communication between nerve cells and the body's ability to fight off germs.In addition, it may play a role in protecting against cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Vitamin D also has an anti-inflammatory property. Having sufficient levels of vitamin D in your system may help overcome the source of symptoms of inflammatory acne by reducing redness and swelling caused by hard acne nodules.
A study found that people with acne have lower levels of vitamin D than those without the skin condition.
Vitamin D also blocks P. acnes from affecting skin cells. These bacteria play a significant role in the development of acne.
Although the body produces vitamin D naturally when when your skin exposed sunlight, consuming foods rich in vitamin D are the best ways to increase your vitamin D levels to help treat acne.
There are some foods also contain vitamin D which may help prevent acne you should try to consume, including:
- Cheese
- Eggs
- Beef liver
- Mushrooms
- Cod liver oil
- Fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna and mackerel
- Fortified foods, such as milk, cow's milk, soy milk, yogurt and breakfast cereals
#4 Vitamin E
Vitamin E contains antioxidants, which means it can help increase your immune system by fighting against free radicals in the body and also known as an anti-inflammatory that may particularly help with inflammatory acne.Vitamin E has been proven to fight free-radical damage which might contribute to acne, so believed can help alleviate acne symptoms.
Besides, free radicals are known to damage body cells, therefore vitamin E is good for protecting the body’s skin cells from being damaged, help with cell regeneration and also reduces the signs of aging.
Another characteristic of vitamin E is that it moisturizes the skin. Keeping it moisturized is important so your skin can not get easily irritated and inflamed when it is dry.
Another Benefit of Vitamin E
Vitamin E also controls the production of collagen and elastin in the skin. Collagen strengthens the skin and may help with the skin’s elasticity and hydration. It can reduce skin wrinkles and dryness as well.Another main function of Vitamin E is to support cell membranes, increase blood flow, also strengthen muscles, the heart and the skin.
Eating foods with vitamin E may also have benefits such as may improve vision, increase physical energy, help to thicken hair, may relieve menstruation symptoms, lower risk of cancer, help to prevent of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, cataracts and Alzheimer’s disease.
The following foods are considered high in vitamin E that may help prevent acne:
- Mango
- Avocado
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Tomato
- Butternut Squash
- Almonds
- Sunflower seeds
- Fortified cereals
- Corn oil
- Soybean oils
Many prescription, medication and skincare are available for treating acne. But getting enough vitamins may also benefit the skin to help ease and prevent acne, although you can also take dietary supplements, including multivitamin products.
Better prevent than cure, isn't it?