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Overview
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Do Natural Remedies Also Work?
And If So, Which Ones?
Pimples come in many different forms and depths, including blackheads whiteheads, cysts, and nodules. Acne surfaces during times of hormonal imbalance. Acne can strike at any age.
Although it’s more common among teenagers, and sometimes in women going through menopause, acne affects an estimated 50 million people in the United States each year. Vitamin A is a possible remedy for acne, but you need to make sure you’re getting it the right way. Vitamin A oral supplements don’t work the same as topical vitamin A, according to clinicians at the University of Michigan.
Most topical medications chemically alter the vitamin into a retinoid that you can apply to the skin. You can get them only with a prescription. The 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 sunscree.
2. Omega-3 And Omega-6 Fatty Acids
“After 10 weeks, in both the omega-3 group and in the GLA [gamma-linolenic acid] group, supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions,” says Dr. Luther. Make sure you’re not making these mistakes when taking vitamins:.
3. Vitamin E
Is also important for acne-prone skin.
“Those patients with higher levels of this antioxidant had lower severity of acne.”
4. Another benefit: “Studies show that all of these things can also help defend against inflammatory forms of acne.”. Vitamin A
“Vitamin A derivatives, like retinol, are commonly used to treat acne because they reduce inflammation in the skin and prevent skin cells from sticking together and clogging pores,” says Dr. Zeichner.
“I caution patients against ingesting too much Vitamin A, though, as it can cause extreme dryness of the skin, make you sensitive to the sun, interfere with your vision, and may even affect your liver.”
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. “Astaxanthin, which is produced by microalgae and often found as a supplement, has been well studied for years in regards to providing the skin with numerous benefits,” explains Dr. Luther. Daley Quinn Daley Quinn is a Connecticut-born, Texas-bred beauty & wellness writer living in New York City.
Vitamin A
This vitamin plays a role in many bodily functions, including : immune system functioning
vision
reproduction
communication between cells
proper functioning of the heart, lungs, and kidneys Vitamin A may also help counter the actions of Propionibacterium acnes, a type of bacteria that plays a significant role in the development of acne. A study from 2014 found that vitamin A appears to disrupt some of the effects that P. Acnes bacteria have on skin cells. However, researchers need to carry out further studies to develop a better understanding of these effects and determine how to use vitamin A to treat acne.
Many different foods contain vitamin A, including : beef liver
certain types of fish, such as herring, salmon, and tuna
green vegetables, including spinach and broccoli
orange and yellow vegetables, such as sweet potato, carrot, and squash
fruits, such as cantaloupe, apricot, and mango
dairy products
fortified breakfast cereals Vitamin A is also available as a dietary supplement from most health food stores and pharmacies. Vitamin A supplements are also available to purchase online.