Table of Contents
Have you passed your teenage but still struggling with acne? Well, you are not alone, many people have acne breakouts and pimples into their 20’s, 30;s and sometimes 40’s. Unfortunately adult acne seems to be even more stubborn, frustrating, and, embarrassing. It is usually more difficult to clear.
A lot of factors can trigger an acne breakout. It can be your diet, hormones, your gut, genetics, stress and several other factors.
There is no one approach that fits all when it comes to treating acne. Everything from the right skin products to a healthy, balanced diet plays an important role in treating acne. There are some supplements that can be game-changers by treating the underlying cause of acne. Following are some of those supplements.
-
Vitamin A
Acne is a genetic condition that boosts cell turnover in the skin, this process is known as retention hyperkeratosis. The skin that is likely to have acne sheds about five times more dead skin cells than the normal skin. These dead skin cells remain at their places where they clog the pores.
These dead skin cells react with the bacteria on the skin and form a sticky later under your skin and that’s the start of an acne breakout.
One of the best ways to treat acne would be slowing down the rate of cell turnover. It will prevent the dead skin cells from clogging the pores. Supplements of vitamin A can help you with that.
Vitamin A helps in slowing down the cell turnover which keeps the dead skin cells from clogging the pores. It is an antioxidant and works as a natural anti-inflammatory which means it helps in reducing swelling and redness.
As it can be difficult to get the necessary amount of vitamin A from the diet alone, it is advisable that you take it in supplement form. Always remember to consult your healthcare practitioner before making any such decision.
-
Zinc
Though zinc is a crucial part of every health regimen, it works particularly great for treating stubborn acne. It is an effective natural anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory which plays an important role in protecting your skin from harmful bacteria.
Zinc breaks down the compounds in the body that cause oil production when it is stressed.
So, if you believe that the acne breakout is due to stress, then supplements of zinc will be your best shot.
You can team it with other minerals as well for best results.
-
Omega 3 Fish Oil
Essential Fatty Acids like omega-3 fish oil are perfect for the health of the skin. They are natural and effective anti-inflammatories that reduce inflammation due to bacteria and excess of sebum. Also, they fight off the action of two inflammatory chemicals; LTB4 and PGE2 that trigger acne breakouts.
The best sources of omega-3 are flaxseed oil, fish and avocados. Sometimes it gets difficult to get the necessary amount of minerals from the diet alone. Therefore, for a therapeutic dose, taking it in the supplement form will be the best.
-
Probiotics
It is a fact that your digestive health is linked to your skin health. If your digestive system works perfectly, the rest of the functions of your body will run smoothly as well which means your acne will improve too.
Your digestive system breaks down the food you eat and absorbs nutrients in it. It is where most of the immune cells in the body live which help in eliminating the toxins from your body.
If your digestive system is not working perfectly, it means that it is not eliminating toxins out of the body. It makes your immune system weak and increases inflammation in the body. And it shows its effect in the form of breakouts, dull skin, redness, and many other skin problems.
Taking a probiotic supplement is one of the best ways to improve your digestive system. It strengthens your gut which increases its ability to get rid of the toxins. Also, it balances your intestinal tract and reduces inflammation.
Probiotics are essential if you have taken antibiotics as antibiotics wipe out both healthy and unhealthy bacteria. A probiotic supplement containing a mix of both Bifidobacterium and lactobacillus can help in regaining a healthy intestinal balance. We will advise you to talk to your dermatologist to determine which probiotic is the best for you.
-
The One You Should Never Take
Biotin (Vitamin B7) is a supplement for health and growth of hair, nails and skin. You can also find it in many protein powders and multivitamins. Biotin can keep your hair from becoming all brittle and dry. Some people recommend biotin to help your hair, nails and skin look lustrous and appealing. But, unfortunately, biotin is one of the biggest culprits to trigger acne.
Both biotin and vitamin B5 are absorbed in the body from the intestines through the same receptors. If you take biotin supplements, the amount of biotin becomes more than vitamin B5 which causes vitamin B5 deficiency. Vitamin B5 regulates the barrier function of the skin and reduce the acne. So, a deficiency of vitamin B5 can cause acne flares
