Your Nutrition Plays an Important Role: Does Taking Vitamins Help Reduce Acne Outbursts?

There’s no single cause for acne, nor is there any known cure for it. That doesn’t mean there’s nothing consumers can do to help prevent future outbursts, though. Maintaining a healthy diet high in key vitamins and minerals can help to keep some underlying causes of acne at bay.

Just taking a daily multivitamin won’t necessarily provide a one-size-fits-all solution, though. Read on to find out about a few of the most important vitamins and minerals for combating acne for a more tailored, effective approach.

Zinc (Zn)

Zinc helps to regulate oil gland activity and balance androgenic hormones. Both excessive oil production and hormone imbalances can cause or exacerbate acne breakouts, so consumers need to meet their bodies’ daily zinc requirements. Visit blog.reneerouleau.com to learn more about how zinc keeps skin clear.

Vitamin A

Scientists have long known that vitamin A plays an important role in maintaining skin health by fighting free radicals. Many topical skincare products contain vitamin A, but is it as effective when taken orally? There’s not enough available data to say for sure.

Vitamin A can be harmful if taken in excessive quantities, so it’s not wise to start taking supplements without medical supervision. However, there’s no harm in incorporating more food sources rich in vitamin A like green leafy vegetables, salmon, cantaloupe, mangoes, and oranges.

Vitamin B

B vitamins help the body produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, which help people deal with stress. Stress can exacerbate acne, so keeping it at bay is a good way to prevent breakouts. Look for a B-50 complex supplement that contains niacin, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 for maximum effect.

Vitamin C

Foods rich in vitamin C also tend to be high in bioflavonoids. Both bioflavonoids and vitamin C help with wound repair after serious breakouts, so while they don’t prevent acne, they can help consumers avoid scarring. People with post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) can benefit even more from eating foods rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoids such as citrus fruits.

Magnesium (Mg)

Magnesium helps with protein synthesis and initiation of inflammatory responses. It also reduces levels of certain stress hormones in the body and improves sleep. Those with immune systems compromised by ongoing stress, which can cause and exacerbate acne outbreaks, can benefit from taking magnesium supplements.

Beta-Glucans

Beta-glucan isn’t technically a vitamin or a mineral. It’s a sugar found in the cell walls of certain types of food, bacteria, and fungi that can also be found as a supplement. It deserves a place on this list because it improves immune function, which can be beneficial for those who struggle to control the immunological responses that cause acne.

Most popular foods are not rich in beta-glucans, but there are a few ways to incorporate them into natural diets. Try eating more oatmeal or incorporating shiitake and reishi mushrooms, seaweed, and barley into the occasional meal. Beta-glucans are also available in supplement form.

The Bottom Line

Getting the right nutrition is essential for maintaining healthy skin during all phases of life. For those who struggle with frequent acne outbreaks, it may be worth making dietary changes or even taking supplements to make sure none of these key vitamins, minerals, and nutrients are absent. Just make sure to follow dietary recommendations for each supplement, product, or food to avoid health complications.

LivingBetter50 is a magazine for women over 50, offering an over 50 magazine free download for women of spirit!