Dietary Supplements for Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that nearly everyone experiences at some point in their lives. While acne tends to be most active during the adolescent years, many people suffer outbreaks throughout their lives. Dietary supplements can be helpful in the control of acne, providing a nutritional boost to improve the health and condition of the skin and keep the immune system functioning at its best -- factors that can help discourage acne outbreaks.
  1. Vitamin A

    • Ensuring you get enough vitamin A in your diet can help reduce the risk of acne outbreaks. Vitamin A plays an important role in skin health, crucial to the formation and maintenance of skin cells. Linus Pauling Micronutrient Information Center calls this potent antioxidant the anti-infective vitamin, as it is essential to the normal functioning of the immune system.

    Vitamin C

    • Vitamin C is also important to skin health, necessary to the growth and healing of all body tissues. This essential nutrient also helps forms collagen, a protein that is part of the structure of skin and blood vessels. According to Linus Pauling Micronutrient Information Center, vitamin C supports the immune system as well, stimulating the production of infection-fighting white blood cells among other important immune system functions.

    Zinc

    • Zinc is essential to skin health and maintenance, necessary for the growth and repair of nearly every tissue in the body. According to the Mineral Information Institute, Zinc ranks among the most important minerals for a healthy immune system, as well as plays an important role in the production and regulation of hormones, factors that can influence acne symptoms.

    Essential Fatty Acids

    • Omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids can be helpful in the control of acne. According to a study published in the July 2010 issue of "Clinics in Dermatology," researchers at the Department of Dermatology, University of Connecticut Health Center found that these essential fatty acids have shown promise in the treatment of several skin disorders, including acne. Omega-3s, available in fish oil, help reduce inflammation, a function that can ease acne symptoms.

    Cautions

    • Ensuring a generous intake of these vitamins, minerals and other nutrients may help reduce the frequency and severity of acne outbreaks. However, you must follow recommended daily allowance guidelines when using dietary supplements. Some nutrients can be toxic if taken in high doses, causing serious health consequences.

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