This is a follow-up blog to my last blog, Age, Acne & Hormones. In my last blog I presented topical solutions for acne at any age but in this blog I want to present to you great remedies for you to swallow....food or supplements!
Vitamins & minerals can help clear up acne. The first I learned about at Nutritional Certified Esthetician school is zinc. Zinc can decrease oil production in the skin, and can protect against bacterial infection and inflammation. You only need small amounts of zinc in your body so be careful and check with your doctor if need be. The Office of Dietary Supplements Trusted Source recommends a daily allowance for adults of 8-11 milligrams (mg). There is some evidence that a relatively safe dose of 30 mg can help treat acne. Higher amounts of zinc may be harmful. Some people have reported becoming ill from taking too much zinc, and excessive zinc intake can lead to a copper deficiency.
Vitamin A could also reduce sebum production from the sebaceous glands. However, there's more research on topical vitamin A (like our Refreshing Retinol Cream) than oral vitamin A in regards to this, so a combo of both may be your best bet for acne. You can find a type of vitamin A known as provitamin A in many fruits and vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash. Provitamin A converts to retinol, also known as preformed vitamin A. Provitamin A is from plants and you know them as carotenoids. Previtamin A is found in animal foods, dairy and organ meat. Always do blood work to see your level of vitamin A before taking as it can be toxic as it is stored in your liver.
A side note here about vitamin E. Did you know that oily skin peeps have more vitamin E which is found in sebum? As we age we it declines a long with oily skin. If your dry try taking some vitamin E.
I've seen vitamin D help with many skin issues, including acne. Vitamin D may work by calming inflammation, which can worsen acne breakouts. Since vitamin D is so vital for immune health, and the health of your skin is impacted by your immune system, it could help regulate immune pathways involved in acne. Some research also suggests a link between low vitamin D status and worsening acne that improves with targeted supplementation. The best way to get vitamin D is from sun exposure, but during the winter or if you don't spend much time outside, supplementation may be necessary to reach an optimal level. You can also find small amounts of vitamin D in fatty fish, eggs, and mushrooms, but probably not enough to bring up your vitamin D status if you have suboptimal levels. Again, check with your doctor by checking your levels of vitamin D because too much can become toxic.
Tea! Boosting your immune system can help clear acne of any kind. Get Gorgeous® was featured in Better Nutrition and featured on Vogue.com "Gifts for Tea Lovers" Organic Red Rooibos — The Wonder Herb of South Africa is full-bodied and aromatic, caffeine-free red rooibos is celebrated for its flavor and antioxidants and suppresses the growth of bacteria within the pore to tackle breakouts from the occasional pimple to chronic acne. As the base for this tea, it's a natural friend to the immune system and can contribute to a healthier life.* All of our Be Well® Teas from Republic of Tea are meticulously formulated for specific needs. I use a lot of these teas for making me feel better through menopause as well!
Magnesium is not a typical supplement for acne, but I use it regularly as part of a hormone-balancing plan because it promotes stress relief and is involved in the metabolism of our hormones. Magnesium can also help with estrogen balance by promoting the excretion of extra estrogen that could contribute to hormone imbalances. Since your stress response and hormones are closely interconnected, I use magnesium to keep stress levels down (in addition to lifestyle practices), which also foundationally supports hormonal acne. Several studies point to a close relationship between acne and stress levels, so magnesium can often help mitigate the response. In addition, magnesium supports healthy sleep, which may be one of the most potent anti-aging and skin health promoting practices we can incorporate into our daily routine.
Although I am not new to the beauty industry I am new to blogging and I sure hope my blogs have enlightened or helped you in some way. If you ever have a topic you would like me to touch on or have any comments for me I encourage you to reach out!
~ Genelle
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