Acne Vitamins

December 19, 2020

Updated: March 8, 2022

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Zinc Vitamin

Zinc is a trace mineral that is important for many functions in your body. It is especially important for the health of your skin. Zinc is essential for maintaining your skin’s strength and healing capabilities.¹ People with zinc deficiencies often develop various skin conditions, like dermatitis, ulcers and warts.²

It also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and a mild antibiotic. Additionally, it can help protect your skin against UV damage and sunburn, and is included in many organic sunscreens.³ All of these properties address the underlying causes of acne (inflammation and infection with the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes) and certain risk factors (sunburn and otherwise unhealthy skin).⁴

Zinc can be used for acne both topically and orally. It is included in many cosmetic products, like moisturizers and cleansers. You can also take zinc supplements orally to help with inflammation throughout your body.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a type of retinoid molecule and is a component of several enzymes in your body. It is important for many of your metabolic functions. While it is famous for being good for eyesight, it is also important for your immune system and your skin health.

As an antioxidant, vitamin A reduces damage from reactive oxygen species which can harm the structure of your skin. It also helps reduce inflammation, such as that which causes the redness and swelling of acne.

Several pharmaceutical drugs used to treat acne are related to vitamin A, such as tretinoin and isotretinoin. However, these medications come with some rather severe side effects. Taking vitamin A supplements can improve acne symptoms in a similar but milder way.⁵

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a very powerful antioxidant. It is well-known for boosting immune function. Additionally, it is very good at protecting against oxidative damage and reducing inflammation.⁶ It keeps your skin healthy by maintaining hydration and promoting the synthesis of collagen, the protein that keeps your skin strong and elastic. Topically, it helps protect against UV damage.⁷

These properties make vitamin C useful in the fight against acne. Like zinc, it is included in many skin care products on the market. You can also take vitamin C supplements for whole-body health.

Vitamin E

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Beneficial antioxidants

REFERENCES

[1] AB Lansdown, U Mirastschijski, N Stubbs, E Scanlon, and MS Agren. 2007. "Zinc in wound healing: theoretical, experimental, and clinical aspects." Wound Repair Regen. 15(1):2-16.

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[2] JA Khattar, UM Musharrafieh, H Tamim, and GN Hamadeh. 2007. "Topical zinc oxide vs. salicylic acid-lactic acid combination in the treatment of warts." Int J Dermatol. 46(4):427-30.

[3] N Tyagi, SK Srivastava, S Arora, Y Omar, ZM Ijaz, A Al-Ghadhban, SK Deshmukh, JE Carter, AP Singh, and S Singh. 2016. "Comparative analysis of the relative potential of silver, Zinc-oxide and titanium-dioxide nanoparticles against UVB-induced DNA damage for the prevention of skin carcinogenesis." Cancer Lett. 383(1):53-61.

[4] A Kucharska, A Szmurlo, and B Sinska. 2016. "Significance of diet in treated and untreated acne vulgaris." Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 33(2):81-6.

[5] AL Chien, J Qi, B Rainer, DL Sachs, and YR Helfrich. 2016. "Treatment of Acne in Pregnancy." J Am Board Fam Med. 29(2):254-62.

[6] M Richelle, M Sabatier, H Steiling, and G Williamson. 2006. "Skin bioavailability of dietary vitamin E, carotenoids, polyphenols, vitamin C, zinc and selenium." Br J Nutr. 96(2):227-38.

[7] T Raschke, U Koop, HJ Dusing, A Filbry, K Sauermann, S Jaspers, H Wenck, and KP Wittern. 2004. "Topical activity of ascorbic acid: from in vitro optimization to in vivo efficacy." Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 17(4):200-6.

[8] MG Rubin, K Kim, and AC Logan. 2008. "Acne vulgaris, mental health and omega-3 fatty acids: a report of cases." Lipids Health Dis. 736.