Acne and Vitamins:
Help Reduce or Eliminate Acne through good nutrition

Acne and Vitamins

Mr. Webster says Acne is a skin disorder. Most of us have our own definitions but we all want clear skin, not pock marked or red and inflamed or even just a slight pimple. Nearly all adolescents experience some form of acne during the teenage years. It is estimated half of all adults, ages 20 to 40 suffer from a persistent skin condition.

Acne does have a genetic component, but it is believed by scientists the genetic component of acne takes other factors to turn on the acne switch.

The problem is excess sebum production by the sebaceous glands found at the bottom of the hair follicles. The initial increase in sebum production is not completely understood but one significant trigger is an enzyme that is produced during hormonal changes in the body. This might help explain why acne breakouts happen most during puberty, at the start of the menstrual cycle, after or during pregnancy, and during the use of estrogen therapy.

Most people with a skin problem, acne, believe the skin should be “dried out” with an alcohol based “toner”, or scrub. When this is done, the skin tries to take care of itself and since it is so dried out, the body produces “oil”, which creates the problem again and it becomes a non ending “circle”.

Many acne treatment products rely on the active ingredients of high concentrations of salicylic acid or benzyl peroxide, their one big “gun”. This is intended to “zap the existing blemishes quickly". What usually happens is the skin becomes irritated and the other factors that contribute to the cycle of acne troubled skin are not addressed.

I have found a product that is balanced with a lower concentration of Salicylic Acid while containing antioxidant vitamins and botanicals, which helps leave the skin smooth and healthy looking while the skin heals fast and future breakouts are prevented.

People who want a gentle and effective “spot treatment” and are looking for a long term solution to the problem of acne troubled skin have been very satisfied with this product.

Vitamin supplements also play a major part in preventing and treating acne. Vitamin E, Vitamin A, and B5 (pantothenic acid – as part of a good B-complex ) all are beneficial in preventing and treating acne. These vitamins can help to strengthen our immune system, which is vital in controlling skin disorders such as acne. Zinc, a trace mineral and an antioxidant, can also boost the immune system and therefore help to reduce acne. Zinc is also known as a "clean up enzyme," as it cleans up damaged tissue caused by acne and other injuries. All these nutrients should be taken through food or as food supplements to help reduce the onset of acne.

Another step of course is a nutritional step. Drinking a minimum of 6 – 8 glasses of pure, non chlorinated water as well as keeping junk food at a minimum is a great help to healthy skin.

Lots of fiber which means fruits and vegetables or supplements which are concentrated fruits and vegetables, as well as possibly an added fiber powder, a balanced multi-vitamin, a Vitamin C, which the body can use to help rebuild collagen, (what our skin needs to rebuild itself) and a good source of protein, preferably non genetically engineered and not an animal protein. The Omega 3’s, the balanced B-complex and a non rancid lecithin is great for the skin.

We take our skin for granted just as we take our health for granted. Once again, the magic button is no magic at all. Our health takes our personal focus and GOOD supplementation. Your skin will love you for it and will show it.

Click here to read a news release about Acne in adults.

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