There are many known acne care treatments available for people suffering with acne. Taking Vitamins as a way of treating acne is not as popular as some other treatment options, but it is not new and might be worth considering.
The skin is the largest organ of the body and it’s vital that in order for skin to function properly you must get plenty of good nutrients in the body. A vitamin deficiency can result in an imbalance that can lead to poor skin conditions such as acne.
The most common vitamins and minerals that are known to improve acne and promote healthy skin include vitamins A, B complex, C, E and the minerals zinc and Chromium. You’re more likely to see a difference in your skin if you are lacking in a particular nutrient and you supplement your diet with extra vitamins. However, is merely taking more vitamins good for acne?
Let’s start with vitamin A which serves many functions and the lack of it can cause acne. Vitamin A maintains healthy tissue and eliminates free radicals as a powerful antioxidant in the body. Most importantly vitamin A can get rid of acne by reducing sebum production in the skin. Vitamin A taken in larger quantities such as 10,00 IU’s to 25,000 IU’s has been used in the treatment of severe acne. This vitamin taken in large quantities though can result in side effects. Therefore, you should always consult a doctor if you intend on using mega doses of vitamin A for acne. It’s important to note that pregnant women should avoid large doses of vitamin A because the health risks are too great.
The B vitamins are important for healthy skin tone and reducing stress in the body that can lead to acne. Mega doses of vitamin B5 in particular have been used as an acne care treatment successfully by many patients. Vitamin B5 is known to reduce sebum and control oil in the skin as a way of resolving acne. Again, taking large quantities may not be good and can lead to many undesirable side effects, such as upset stomach, dry skin, diarrhea, headaches, and potential hair loss. A physician should monitor the use of taking this vitamin closely because vitamin B5 in large amounts can lead to other vitamin deficiencies that can be more dangerous. In order to avoid the potential side effects associated with vitamin B5 and get the right balance of B vitamins, it’s recommended to stick with a B-complex vitamin.
Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that can be taken to control acne by promoting healing of the skin, prevent infection and support the overall immune system. These vitamins are vital to healthy skin and taken in the right amounts will also work to heal acne and prevent future acne outbreaks.
Lastly, healthy skin relies on the intake of the right minerals intake. Interestingly, research has found that about 90% of people suffering from acne are lacking in the mineral Chromium. Chromium helps maintain the balance of insulin. High sugar levels in the body can stimulate oil productions and by keeping these levels in balance in the body you can prevent acne from occurring. Zinc is also important because it reduces the amount of acne by maintaining the hormonal balance in the body.
It’s true that many people have gotten rid of their acne by using vitamin supplementation as a way of treating acne. However, there are many things you should know before you take any vitamin supplement and you should realize that taking more than the recommended dosage of some vitamins can not only make acne worse, but it can be harmful to your health. Taking a multi-vitamin or a vitamin formulated specifically for acne is generally harmless and will support healthy skin, but you should always discuss all possible options with a competent health practitioner before you get started.