Vitamins and Acne

 Vitamins are the essential part of healthy balanced diet. You need a balanced diet, which contains all the nutrients in right proportion. A healthy skin is the result of healthy diet. Acne is a skin disorder which is also related to food you eat. Poor nutrition, oily food, stress, oral contraceptives may aggravate acne condition.

Free radicals and toxins are flushed out of body due to anti-oxidant quality of vitamins and minerals. Vitamins increase the immunity of the body and have antibacterial effect on the body. Acne is formed by clogging of pores but vitamins help keep the skin clean and pores open and hence acne formation is prevented. Taking vitamins help to prevent formation of acne, blemishes and also boost healing of the acne problems. The food we eat in routine may not provide complete requirement of vitamins. To fulfill your vitamin needs, you should take vitamin supplements.

Increased activity of hormone, testosterone, stimulates the sebaceous glands in the skin to produce more sebum. This increased sebum production clogs the skin pores and along with dead skin cells, pores get plugged. This gives perfect environment for growth of acne producing bacteria. Here comes the important role of vitamins. Some vitamins help to reduce the amount of oil produced and also they give strength to fight the bacterial activity.

Taking vitamins is an important part of acne treatment. Sometimes, very high doses of vitamins are prescribed to treat acne.

Role of Different Vitamins for Acne Treatment:

Vitamin A and Acne: Deficiency of vitamin A can be part of cause of acne. For the repair and maintenance of tissues of skin, vitamin A is very essential. Vitamin A has anti-oxidant properties and it helps in getting rid of toxins. This vitamin helps to reduce the production of sebum and hence prevent acne. If taken in high doses, it causes irritation, redness, puffiness, blistering and peeling.

Vitamin B and Acne: Vitamin B helps to reduce and control stress, anxiety and helps to keep the skin healthy. Stress plays quite aggressive role in growth of acne condition. Vitamin B directly and apparently reduces the stress. Riboflavin, Thiamin, Niacin, Pyridoxine and pantothenic acid are the forms of vitamin B.

Let us take a view of role of different parts of Vitamin B Complex

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Thiamine or vitamin B1 is a powerful antioxidant which removes the toxins out of the body. Vitamin B1 helps to absorb the other vitamins in the body. It also improves the blood circulation, helps to digest the food properly. Right amounts of vitamin B1 helps to keep the acne away.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) and Acne: Vitamin B2 or riboflavin is taken in combination with vitamin A and it helps to improve and maintain the condition of mucous membrane. Riboflavin is very essential for the health of skin, nails and hairs. Lack of this vitamin can cause acne. It is recommended that 100 mg of vitamin B2 should be taken daily.

Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) and Acne: Vitamin B3 is essential for the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. It helps to improve the blood circulation in the body and increase the oxygen level. Niacin is important for the exchange of nutrients and toxins in and out of the skin cells. Deficiency of this vitamin causes acne.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) and Acne: Vitamin B5 is important for reducing stress. For proper functioning of adrenal glands, vitamin B5 is very essential. It increase the circulation of white blood cells needed for combating infection and healing of the any wound. It is essential for the healing of acne. It helps to reduce the feeling of pain and increases the immunity.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) and Acne: Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine is important for the proper functioning of the immune system as it helps in antibody production. It plays an important role in proper metabolism of sugars, fatty acids and proteins. Lack of this vitamin hampers the healing of the acnes and aggravates the acne condition.

Vitamin C and Acne: Vitamin C is a powerful anti-oxidant and it helps fight free radicals. Vitamin C protects the body against any infection and boosts immunity. Absorption of minerals like iron is increased due to Vitamin C and it accelerates healing. Anti-bacterial bio-flavonoids in vitamin C, help to fight acne.

Vitamin E and Acne: Vitamin E helps in tissue repair, healing and prevents deposition of excess fat. It is very important for healing of acne.