Vitamins to Heal Your Acne

Do you know YOUR primary acne trigger? Still struggling with an unsure self-diagnosis?

We created a short quiz to help you Discover YOUR Acne Cause

Vitamin A

What is it?

pexels dziana hasanbekava 6740693

Vitamin A is an antioxidant that belongs to the class of compounds called retinoids. The active alcohol form of vitamin A is known as retinol. Vitamin A, commonly known as Retin-A, has been prescribed for decades by dermatologists to treat acne topically. Accutane, a prescription oral medication, has been used to treat severe nodular acne by dermatologists for years as well and is also a form of vitamin A. Low levels of this vitamin have been associated with inflammation and acne. In the body, vitamin A is responsible for red blood cell production, immune system support, healthy skin, normal vision, and overall growth and development of the body. Food sources include orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, sweet potatoes, spinach, and cod liver oils.

Why is it of value for treating acne?

Vitamin A is essential to the normal shedding of dead skin cells that build up inside the pore and ultimately cause acne- this sticky build up and excess production of skin cells is one of the main causes of acne! Click here to read about other causes of acne, especially hormonal acne. This vitamin functions by preventing this build up that would have otherwise caused a clogged pore. In addition, the antioxidant properties of vitamin A for acne act as an anti-inflammatory for the skin and help to calm swollen, red, and sore acne breakouts.

Who should increase their Vitamin A intake?

It is highly recommended that individuals with inflammatory acne on the face and/or body should be eating foods high in vitamin A and supplementing with 10,000 iu’s of vitamin A per day. I have had great success with Clove Hill Skin Clarity. If you are pregnant, please consult a physician before starting on this vitamin for acne.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

store bundle Clear Skin Trio Group Skin Clarity SkinOmega 3 Clear Skin probiotic 10 2 1024x1024 1

What is it?

Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) is an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish and seafood, particularly oily, ocean fish such as mackerel, sardines, and anchovies. It is arguably the best anti-inflammatory found in nature.

Why is it of value for treating acne?

Inflammation is at the core of acne (externally and systemically), therefore an anti-inflammatory supplement is key to clearing acne. The inflammation process is triggered at the systemic level and then, with many other factors, causes acne at the skin level. An important side note, inflammation is also connected to nearly all chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, etc.

Omega-3 fish oil for acne works by inhibiting two inflammatory chemicals that are responsible for acne breakouts, they are called PGE2 and LTB4. One way to inhibit the production of these two chemicals is with the drug Accutane and the other way is, naturally, with EPA omega-3 fatty acids. To find out if you have inflammatory acne click here. EPA Omega-3 supplements and foods are the best way to put out the flame. Research shows that people consuming diets higher in omega-3 fatty acids, such as in Japan, the coastal regions of North Carolina, and Papua New Guinea all have a low rate of acne.

Who should increase their Omega-3 intake?

It is highly recommended that individuals with inflammatory acne on the face and/or body should be eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and supplementing with 2 grams (2,000 mg) of EPA omega-3s per day. I have had great success with the Clear Skin Trio (which contains Vitamin A and Omega-3’s) and the Clove Hill Fish Oil. Be sure to check your labels, as you want to have a therapeutic dose of 2,000 mg of EPA per day. This is because EPA is a better anti-inflammatory than DHA. Most Fish Oil supplements will contain more DHA than EPA so be sure to check your labels. If you are pregnant, please consult a physician before starting on fish oil supplements.

In addition to supplements, fish oil for acne such as anchovies, sardines, and mackerel as well as flax seed oil are fantastic resources of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3-enriched eggs are also recommended. Soybean, peanut, sunflower, palm oil, and other vegetable oils should be strictly avoided as these will make acne worse by stimulating the PGE2 chemical that causes acne.

Zinc

pexels photo 6953380

What is it?

Zinc is a mineral that’s responsible for contributing to many, many functions within the body. To name a few: growth and development, brain function, reproduction, and immune function. In food, zinc is in beans, nuts, seeds, oatmeal, whole grains, lean meats, and oysters.

Why is it of value for treating acne?

Zinc has many important functions for acne clearing. One, zinc assists with the metabolism of omega-3 fatty acids. Two, zinc is an important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory for the skin. Three, zinc helps break down substance P, the nerve chemical that causes sebum production when the body is stressed. Four, zinc is responsible for transporting Vitamin A. An antiacne nutrient, from the liver. Recent studies have shown that people with acne have low levels of zinc in their system.

Who should increase their Zinc intake?

As you can see, Zinc is an important supplement to take with Vitamin A and Omega-3 Fish Oils. Zinc for acne is highly recommended if taking either of these supplements to assist in the uptake and metabolism. It is also recommended as part of a basic supplement regimen for non-inflammatory and inflammatory acne. Approximately 40 mg per day is the therapeutic dose of zinc. Check all your supplement labels as zinc is often added to a multivitamin and the Clove Hill Skin Clarity.

Selenium

pexels photo 4202959

What is it?

Selenium is a minor mineral as well as an antioxidant that works to protect other antioxidants. It can be found in grains, nuts, seafood salmon, and halibut.

Why is it of value for treating acne?

Selenium has been proven to work synergistically with as well as preserve the levels of other antioxidants, such as zinc. Selenium functions in glutathione peroxidase, an enzyme which is very important in preventing the inflammation of acne. This selenium-dependent enzyme that controls glutathione is low in acne patients, and low levels of blood selenium have also been documented. Small amounts of selenium and vitamin e have been shown to improve acne, particularly in those with low baseline glutathione enzyme activity. In addition, research has shown that a deficiency in selenium may play a role in inflammatory conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.

Who should increase their Selenium intake?

Selenium should be taken along with other antioxidants as well as zinc supplements. The Vitamedica Healthy Skin contains 48 mcg of Selenium per dose.

Ready to clear your acne once and for all? We can help.

From our experience treating thousands of clients, acne usually appears to be triggered by a combination of issues, rather than one. That’s why a typical one-size-fits-all approach rarely works when it comes to clearing and controlling acne over the long run.

If you have tried it all and still have acne, our comprehensive 16-week Online Acne Program is the answer. Our Online Acne Program has a 95% success rate helping thousands of clients get clear. We can help you too!

Get started on your journey to clear by booking an Online Acne Consult today.

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (58 votes, average: 3.59 out of 5)
Loading...

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

About the Founder: Jessica Gremley

Jessica has been a Medical Esthetician, Certified Acne Specialist and Healing Diets Coach since 2003. After struggling with acne for more than a decade, she became determined to find a way to clear acne without pharmaceuticals for herself and eventually, future clients. Today, she offers a complete acne regimen that combines proven non-comedogenic skincare products, natural supplements, lifestyle coaching, and support from trained acne specialists to achieve lifelong clear skin. She and her staff serve locally at Natural Acne Clinic in Wheat Ridge, Colorado and nationally via NAC’s Online Acne Program.

83 comments

  1. I have different kinds of acne on my skin. There are sometimes tiny tiny pimples all over my forehead,one two big red pimples here and there,a lot of black heads on my nose and whitish heads in chin area. My skin is a combination one. Dry in cheeks and broad oily T-zone. I have pimples since last 5 yrs. I am 20+ yrs now and have a weak liver and some periodic problems. I am in so much problem regarding these since long and I have given up hope. Please try to help me. I would more than appreciate you help. Thanks and regards,Ella

    1. Dear Ella,
      Thank you for reaching out. I am here to help you with your skin. It is very normal to have blackheads, acne and dry skin all at the same time. And the liver is very much connected with the skin. Please private message me through the Long Distance Consultation page if you would like more help via our Clear Skin Program and coaching.

      Sincerely,
      Jessi

  2. i just want to know :
    1. does constipation increases acne ?
    2. how can i treat the red marks naturally ?
    3. vitamin a , zinc and selenium helps it but in which foods can i find them ? cuz i’m a vegetarian and i’m taking an ayurvedic treatment where i cant take carrot spinach nuts nd many more thiNgs so in which foods can i find them ?
    4. how do i balance my hormones ?
    and lastly i’m a female of 15 yrs and i’m from India so i can neither call nor buy your products so its my humble request and actually i beg u to plz tell me here only plzzzz maam 🙂

    1. Hello Sanjana,
      Thank you for your message here. Yes constipation is a problem because your body is backing up bacteria into the blood and the blood is what nourishes our skin. Healthy bowels lead to healthy skin! You can find more information on Vitamin A here: http://naturalacneclinic.com/vitamin-a-for-acne/
      I would need to know more about you and your hormones specifically in order to give you any information on hormone balancing. This is part of what we address during a 60-Minute Virtual Holistic Acne Consultation.

      Best Wishes,
      Jessi

  3. I do not have much inflammation, but I do have moderate acne and I got a lot of blackheads. my skin can also be very oily at times , Which vitamins would you recommend for me

    1. Hello Lourdes,
      Thank you for your comment! Because the root cause of acne is too many dead skin cells turning over and clogging the skin, it is important for anyone with acne to be supplementing with Vitamin A….so, I would recommend the Vitamedica Healthy Skin for you. Also sounds like a facial would be helpful to extract the small bumps and blackheads.

      Best Wishes,
      Jessi

  4. Hello,
    My son is 14 yrs old…he has acne ,,he is presently on anitbiotics, can he take vitamins while he’s taking antibiotics?? He is going on his fourth month and frankly I don’t see any changes (minocycline 50mg)…what do you suggest?
    thanks!

    1. Hi Nadia,
      Thank you for your comment here, yes it is crucial that he be taking Probiotics while on an antibiotic and he also could be taking the Healthy Skin which is an all-natural Accuatane (non-toxic and non-pharmaceutical). Personally, I do not believe that one needs antibiotics or Accutane to get clear….I have gotten hundreds of clients clear without either one. The antibiotics, when they do work, typically just suppress the acne and cause it come back worse once one is off the medication.

      Best,
      Jessi

  5. Hello Jessica, I would like to know what do you recommend for cystic inflamed acne in the chin area. I get this type of acne usually after 1-2 weeks after my period. So I am guessing when I’m ovulating. I have oily skin but my acne is mainly in the chin area.
    Thanks,
    Melisa

    1. Hi Melisa,
      Thank you for your message, I would recommend the Virtual Holistic Acne Program to get you clear. We would get your hormones back in balance, remove any acne triggering foods and get you on the Face Reality skincare regimen which is fantastic! This is what got me clear at the age of 31 and after I battled acne since 14 years old. Feel free to call me if you want to talk more about your skin.

      I am here to help,
      Jessi

Leave a Comment

Cart

No products in the cart.