Supplements for Acne

If you have suffered from acne, you have probably suffered through many different treatments only to continue to have problems with sporadic breakouts.  You will be happy to read that you are not alone! Many individuals that suffer with acne have spent a majority of their lives looking for the cure-all for this devastating skin condition. Many individuals arsenals for acne are chalked full of creams, ointments, at home laser or light therapies, and make-up. All products created with the purpose and proposition that use of these products will clear up and prevent acne.

So why is it that despite all these products are people still experiencing breakouts and flare-ups of their acne? Well, sometimes, despite all the best efforts, you may still breakout occasionally. However, if you are the person who has tried everything under the sun to treat your acne on the outside without taking a look on what can help acne from the inside out; this article may be of benefit to you.

We have all heard that eating a well-balanced meal is the key to good health and great skin.  And if you are like me, you try to eat healthy for the majority of your meals. However, if I am honest with myself, I will note that I do not even come close to eating the amount of different foods recommended by the food pyramid. This is where supplements come in to play. Here are a few supplements recommended specifically for acne and are safe for both the teenager and adult suffering with acne:

Multi-Vitamin/Mineral daily:  This is something that should be incorporated into everyone’s daily health regimen. The important factor for those suffering acne is to avoid a multi- vitamin and mineral supplement that doesn’t contain iodine. Iodine has been shown to worsen acne. It is also important to note that if you are currently eating foods that are high in iodine (processed foods), this may be contributing to your acne.  Try cutting out processed foods that are high in iodine and see if that help clear your skin. 

Pantothenic Acid (B5):  This vitamin is important to many body functions and is known as the anti-stress vitamin because it supports the adrenal glands. Besides giving the adrenals what they need to produce hormones, Vitamin B-5, along with Vitamin C, helps cells metabolize fats and carbohydrates to release energy. This vitamin has also been noted to help prevent and treat some kinds of acne by decreasing sebum production. So if you’re an individual who has oily or combination skin, this supplement may help you keep your acne under control.   Taken along with Vitamin C can help strengthen skin and promote healing.

Vitamin E: Taking a Vitamin E supplement daily is a beneficial way to consume an important antioxidant that protects cells and tissues from damage by free radicals generated by chemicals and oxidized fats. It works best when taken with Vitamin C. The two vitamins form a team that can help the skin heal. These supplements have been found to help with acne and provide anti-aging benefits as well!  I have also found that a simple Vitamin E stick applied to healing acne helps the skin rejuvenate itself. 

Beta-carotene/Vitamin A:  This crucial vitamin is an important key in maintaining healthy skin and helps treat acne.  It also has been scientifically proven to be beneficial antioxidant that helps prevent cancer, maintain good eyesight, and is an active immune system enhancer to prevent other diseases as well.  Beta-carotene is a double Vitamin A molecule and must be converted to Vitamin A in your body. It is water-soluble, meaning that it dissolves in water. The body can eliminate what it doesn’t use, and thus it has less toxic potential than Vitamin A.

So if you are an individual who is still experiencing acne issues and have not taken into consideration taking supplements to help clear your skin, give these suggestions a try. A great, pharmaceutical grade, product to try that contains all of these Vitamins (doesn’t contain iodine) is Douglas Laboratories, CNCR-Support Formula in which you can purchase at LifeSpan Clinic. In addition to the supplements above, it contains nutritional support with a synergistic blend of phytofoods and special nutrients. Using pharmaceutical grade supplement makes sure you are getting the best ingredients and proper dosages. Getting supplement information from a practitioner who is knowledgeable in various supplement information and interactions is important especially if you are taking prescription medications.

Amanda Logan RN

LifeSpan Clinic

2000 Plymouth Rd

Suite 230

Minnetonka, MN 55305

Phone

952-546-5322

Adult Acne Options

                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Although there has been an increase in reports of adult acne, there is no need to stress more and create more of those unsightly, unwanted, blemishes! There are multiple, effective treatment options available to women of all ages. According to a study done by Massachusetts General Hospital, 45% of women ages 21-30, 26% of women ages 31-40, and 12% of women ages 41-50, experience adult acne. However, just because you have a condition that is associated with teenage skin, doesn't mean you should treat all acne the same.

           There are multiple factors that are thought to be contributing to adult acne. Adult acne can be caused by fluctuating hormones that occur with monthly cycles, starting or stopping some forms of oral contraceptives, pregnancy, being premenopausal and menopause, stress, and even eating hormone enhanced foods such as non-organic meat and dairy. In 2006, Harvard researchers found that girls who drank two or more glasses a day of milk had a higher risk of acne than did girls drinking less than a glass a week. A study published in 2007 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition linked a low glycemic diet to clearer skin. 

           The problem is that even though these hormone fluctuations cause the body to produce extra amounts of sebum the aging skin is still relatively dryer and more prone to sensitivity to some of the products used on teenage skin. The happy news? There is hope and a variety of treatment options.

           The first suggestion to help treat adult skin acne issues is to clean your cabinets of harsh acne products and try a gentler approach.  Various studies, and my own personal experience, is that 2.5% benzoyl  peroxide works just as well as 5% or 10% formulations and is less irritating to the skin. In addition, you can try new, gentle, effective products such as Aczone (dapsone) or gentle formulations of Retinoids such as Atralin Gel or Retin-A Micro (0.04%) gel. These formulas are designed to increase cellular turn over and keep the pores from getting clogged which can lead to blemishes.

               

           Skin Ceuticals, a favorite skin care line of dermatologist and skin care professionals, has recently come out with a new product called Blemish and Age Defense, a serum that combines 2% dioic acid with an alpha and beta-hydroxy acid that helps prevent acne, reduces hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles. I personally have had great results with a variety of SkinCeutical products and have recently fallen in love with the Phloretin CF product. This serum is a broad-spectrum antioxidant treatment containing phloretin, L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), and ferulic acid. It brightens, plumps, and just makes my skin look fabulous!

          Laser and light therapy is an increasingly popular option and is backed by increasing amounts of evidence to show that is a non-invasive, effective, option for treating a wide variety of skin issues. In relation to acne, light therapy consistent with 405-420 nm of Narrow Band UV free Blue Light is showing reduction in inflammatory acne lesions in individuals. It works by destroying the bacteria that is part of creating breakouts. You can read more in the Journal of Cosmetic Laser Therapy and the Journal of Dermatological Treatment.

                If you’re interested in getting your hormones checked and balanced or receive a customized skin care regimen to get you on your way to a better, healthier, blemish free complexion, give LifeSpan Clinic a call and set up an appointment. Feel free to check us out at http://www.lifespan-clinic.com/ or give us a call at 952-546-5322.