Acne Supplement Guide: Everything You Need to Know for Healthy Skin

Did you know 85% of people between 14 and 24 have acne? [1] For some, it’s a minor nuisance, while others get painful lesions and might need prescription medication to manage their condition.

Although it is not life-threatening, acne can have a significant impact on a person’s self-esteem and overall quality of life. While there are various treatment options available, including prescription medication and over-the-counter products, many people are turning to acne supplement options as a natural alternative.

In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about acne supplements, including their benefits, how to choose the best one, and the best supplements for acne.

But first, let’s talk about acne’s origin story – and how supplements can fit into breaking the disease process.

What Causes Acne?

Acne happens when your skin pores become blocked by dead skin cells and oil. This is when you get a comedone – either a whitehead, or a blackhead. The blocked pore gets inflamed turning into anything from a small red bump to a full cyst.

Acne is caused by a combination of factors, including excess oil production, clogged hair follicles, bacteria, and inflammation. [2] Hormones can also play a role in the development of acne, particularly in women. When the body produces too much androgen, a male hormone found in both men and women, it can stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil, leading to the development of acne.

Finally, a key player in acne formation is a bacterium called Proionobacterium acnes colonises a blocked pore. P. acnes turns your natural skin oil into triglycerides, which also contribute to inflammation. Your own immune cells then attack the invaders and you get full on inflammation – meaning the red color, the swelling, pain, and potential scarring. [3]

What Are Acne Supplements?

Acne supplements are dietary supplements that are designed to help treat and prevent acne. They are formulated with a variety of vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts that are thought to support healthy skin. While they are not a substitute for a healthy diet and lifestyle, they can be a useful addition to your skincare routine.

One of the primary benefits of acne supplements is that they are a natural alternative to prescription medication, which can have unwanted side effects. Additionally, they can provide the body with the nutrients it needs to reduce inflammation – and this will have a beneficial effect on your overall health, not just your skin. Some acne supplements may also help regulate hormone levels, making them an effective treatment option for hormonal acne.

How to Choose the Best Acne Supplement

When choosing an acne supplement, it’s essential to look for one that contains ingredients that are backed by scientific research. And, you’ll want to consider the dosage and form of the supplement. Some supplements may be more effective in a particular form, such as a capsule or powder. Don’t forget about the potential side effects and interactions with other medications you may be taking – just because you’re taking a supplement doesn’t mean it’s completely benign.

Let’s talk about some of the best ingredients to enlist in your fight against acne:

Best Supplements for Acne

These days, it seems “beauty supplements” are everywhere – from hair gummies to all sorts of acne supplement iterations. But, just because the package says skin-boosting or acne-banishing doesn’t mean it’s true.

Here are the ingredients with actual evidence that they improve your skin and reduce acne symptoms:

• Zinc: Zinc is an essential mineral that supports healthy skin and immune function. When it comes to acne, it works by reducing oil production (meaning less oil to clog your pores) and fighting inflammation. [4]
• Vitamin D: Vitamin D is an important nutrient for overall health, and it may also have benefits for the skin. Some studies have found that acne sufferers are more likelty to have vitamin D deficiency [5] – and, considering the vitamin’s key role in many other processes in our bodies, it’s a smart idea to take a supplement if you’re not getting a lot of sunlight.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of healthy fat that can help reduce inflammation in the body – and research suggest that supplementing 2,000mg of EHA and DHA can significantly decrease your breakouts. [6]
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce inflammation in the body. It can also help promote collagen production, which can improve the appearance of acne scars. There is limited research into vitamin C supplementation for acne, but we know cosmetics that contrain the vitamin can definitely improve your skin. [7]
• Probiotics: Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help support a healthy gut microbiome. In turn, a healthy gut microbiome is essential for overall health, including skin health. Research shows that keeping your gut flora it shape impacts how your skin looks – and supplementing with probiotics can reduce acne eruptions [8]
• Niacinamide: Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that can help reduce inflammation and regulate oil production in the skin. It can also help improve the appearance of acne scars – but, so far, we only have research for topical application. Whether your diet and supplementation affect acne remains unclear, though the additional health benefits for your heart alone should make it worth including in your regimen. [9]

But, there is one more supplement for you to consider – and it’s even the base for some prescription medications for acne. Here’s what you need to know about using vitamin A to combat acne:

Vitamin A Supplement for Acne: Should You Risk It?

Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that is essential for healthy skin as it protects cells from free radical damage. This cam help your skin look younger – and it increases cell turnover, too, so existing breakouts can last longer.

The catch? These are all true of topical vitamin A and vitamin-A related compounds – retinoids. Some of these are available over-the-counter, while others you can only get via a prescription. The popular (yet highly risky) acne drug isotretinoin (a.k.a. Accutane) is one of the few oral forms of vitamin A used to treat acne – and, successfully so, but with many caveats, which is why it’s prescription only. [10]

What about over-the-counter vitamin A supplements? Unfortunately, we don’t have evidence they work for acne. Even worse, they come with a bunch of risks. Too much vitamin A is especially dangerous if you’re pregnant – or plan to become pregnant. Research found significant teratogenicity (ability to cause development issues and birth defects) in women taking over 10,000 international units (IU) daily. [11] You can also suffer liver damage [12], thyroid problems [13], central nervous system issues [14], and more.

Worried already? Well, don’t be. Unless you’re eating organ meat three times a day, it’s hard to overdose on vitamin A from your diet alone. Vitamin A supplements, on the other hand, can definitely get you there – and they’re not proven to work for acne.

So, if you want to use vitamin A for your skin, skip the supplement and get a retinol cream instead!

Best Supplement for Hormonal Acne: Spearmint Extract

Hormonal acne is a type of acne that is caused by fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly androgen levels.

While there are several supplements that may be effective for treating hormonal acne, one of the best is spearmint extract. Spearmint extract has been shown to have anti-androgenic properties, which means it can help reduce the levels of androgen in the body. [15] This can lead to a reduction in oil production and a decrease in the severity of acne symptoms.

More Hormonal Acne Supplements

In addition to spearmint extract, there are several other supplements that may be effective for treating hormonal acne. These include:

• DIM (diindolylmethane): DIM is a compound found in cruciferous vegetables that can help regulate hormone levels in the body. It can help reduce the levels of androgen and estrogen, making it an effective treatment option for hormonal acne. There are no randomized controlled trials proving its efficiency yet, but anecdotal evidence online shows significant improvement with 100-200mg daily.
• Saw Palmetto: Saw palmetto is an herbal extract that can help reduce the levels of androgen in the body. Once again, there is little evidence available on it, but since it can reduce your androgen levels, there is a potential mechanism of action there.
• Vitex: Vitex, also known as chasteberry, is an herbal supplement that can help regulate hormone levels in the body. It can be particularly effective for treating hormonal acne in women with polycystic ovary syndrome where it improved hormone balanced and reduced hyperandrogenic symptoms like acne. [16]
• Green Tea Extract: Green tea extract (and green tea itself, for that matter) is a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce inflammation in the body. It contains skin-improving polyphenols, which come with a range of additional health benefits, too. [17]

Conclusion

Acne supplements can be a useful addition to your skincare routine, providing the body with the nutrients it needs to support healthy skin and reduce inflammation. While they are not a substitute for prescription medication, they can be a natural alternative for those looking to avoid unwanted side effects.

When choosing an acne supplement, it’s important to look for one that contains ingredients backed by scientific research and to speak with your healthcare provider to ensure they are safe for you to take. With the right supplement and a consistent skincare routine, you can achieve clear, healthy skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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