Acne Vitamins - Which Vitamins Are Needed For Healthy Skin?

A healthy diet containing enough vitamins and minerals is essential for proper function of the body and for the health of the skin. Many people do not eat a diet adequate in these vitamins and minerals, especially those eating a diet high in junk foods, sodas etc. with not enough fresh fruit and vegetables. This can be especially true of teenagers who are also the most prone to acne. Proper nutrition is essential for the good health of the skin and to help prevent acne flareups. Many of the vitamins and minerals are powerful antioxidants which can help to remove free radicals and toxins from the body. Some are also essential in the proper functioning of the immune system and some even have anti-microbial effects.

It is also necessary to be aware that an overdose of vitamins is dangerous and you should never take more than the recommended daily dosage. If you are pregnant please check with your doctor before you take any multi-vitamin supplements.

Important Vitamins In the Treatment of Acne

Vitamin A

This vitamin is probably the most important in the treatment of acne. Vitamin A reduces the production of oil from the sebaceous glands and is essential for the production and repair of skin tissue and mucous membranes. It is also a very powerful antioxidant and can be found in many skin preparation products for a variety of uses including anti-wrinkle creams, anti-aging creams and preparations for the treatment of rosacea.

Vitamin B Complex

The various B vitamins are needed for healthy skin and many have been found helpful in relief of stress and anxiety which has been known to make acne worse.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) - This B vitamin is essential for healthy circulation, is an antioxidant, and helps digestion.

Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) - This B vitamin is also necessary for healthy circulation and is used in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) - Pantothenic acid has been found very helpful in the treatment of stress and is also needed by the adrenal glands for their proper functioning.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) - The immune system needs pyridoxine for proper functioning and it is also used in the production of antibodies.

Vitamin C

This is a very important vitamin as the body needs it for repair and growth. It is essential to help repair the damage caused by acne to the skin. Vitamins C also helps the body to fight infections and helps to increase immunity.

Vitamin E

This vitamin is needed by the body to repair and heal damaged tissues and is a powerful antioxidant.

Minerals to Help In the Treatment of Acne

Chromium

This is an important mineral to help fight skin infections . Many people are deficient in this mineral as it is not easily absorbed from food and is also lost during food processing. A diet high in sugar so cause a deficiency of this mineral.

Zinc

Zinc helps to heal damaged tissues and can help in the prevention of acne scarring. It is also used by the body to help regulate the oil produced by the sebaceous glands and is needed to heal wounds. Zinc is also a powerful antioxidant.

Recommendations

A good multi-vitamin that also contains zinc and chromium is recommended to help heal and prevent acne flareups. Try to avoid once a day multi-vitamins as the body cannot adequately process the minerals and vitamins properly at one time. It is much better to take the supplements twice a day. In addition you need to eat a healthy diet that contains plenty of colorful and green fruit and vegetables, whole wheat grains and plenty of water. It is recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. A gentle cleansing routine that does not further irritate the already sensitive skin is needed. Use a mild sulfur-based soap, no more than twice a day,and be careful not to scrub or rub the skin unnecessarily. Preferably go without makeup altogether. If you must use makeup pick one that is light and oil free.

The use of multi-vitamin can be very helpful in keeping the skin healthy and reduce the occurrence of acne flareups. Combined with a healthy diet and a gentle skincare routine this can go along way in improving the condition of the skin and helping to heal acne. For more information visit Acne Home Remedies [acne-home-remedies.org/] or read Acne Vitamins - the Facts [acne-home-remedies.org/2009/03/19/acne-vitamins-the-facts/]