When it comes to acne people try scrubs, serums, creams, peels, pills, diet and more. Not without due reason of course – it’s something that afflicts many people during many of life’s most unapologetic phases: teenage years, birthing years and of course those stressful years when you can’t seem to find a date or a job.
Now, this article isn’t a one-sized fits all solution, but I will tell you what doesn’t work and what’s been proven.
When you have acne, you will do almost ANYTHING to get rid of it, toothpaste on it overnight, or special teas and honestly most people never find any salve in these off-shoot remedies they find online.
Acne, like most conditions is actually very easy to understand. Acne is a condition of both the sebaceous glands and hair follicles of the skin, usually characterized by white or black heads (and inflammation). It is caused by an imbalance of hormones (excess testosterone) therefore, it is most common during puberty when both sexes have increased amounts of testosterone. Testosterone causes the sebaceous glands to enlarge and produce more sebum (oil) while at the same time the skin cells that line the pores produce more keratin.
Blackheads: With the increased production of both sebum and keratin, pores become blocked, and blackheads are produced.
Whiteheads: With pores blocked bacteria can overgrow and release enzymes that breakdown sebum and cause inflammation and pimples or whiteheads.
Simple enough to understand but as most people would say – not so simple to treat. But it can be once you understand what is happening.
Diet: Get rid of all junk because that’s what it is JUNK, and it can mess with bodily hormone levels, which are the cause of acne. Rid your diet of all refined sugars, fried foods, processed foods and of course foods containing trans-fats (fried foods, margarine, shortening, hydrogenated vegetable oils). Don’t get me wrong this may not be EASY, but it is simple enough.
Now there are only two clinically proven supplements documented to be a cause of or relate to acne and those are: Zinc and Vitamin A.
Does this mean you should rush out and buy these 2, well maybe yes? If you aren’t getting enough in your diet, they can be a root factor.
Since vitamins, like all nutrients work synergistically the best possible acne formula you can provide yourself (along with the clean diet) it:
- Vitamin C – 1000mg
- Vitamin E – 400iu
- Vitamin A – 10 000iu (yes 10 000iu)
- Zinc – 50mg
- Chromium – 300mcg
Remember that your body needs vital nutrients to work properly and perfectly, if we feed it garbage it will spit out garbage and this can often be the case with acne. This is not meant to shame anyone who eats any given way, but I learned a long time ago that eating junk and sugar was not loving my body or caring for myself it was an excuse to fill another void in my life, and often habits follow lifestyle:
Well, I’m already depressed I may as well stay in and watch a movie. When the better option would be to go outside.
Well, I’m already overweight I’ll just get the (unhealthy) option.
And this mindset goes on and on for decades with some people. I’m not here to change the World but just ask you to consider what you haven’t before. Put clean foods in your body with a few supplements and your body will in return put our clear skin.