Vitamin Treatments for Acne

This vitamin for acne guide is designed to help you safeguard your health and mitigate common nutritional deficiencies in acne sufferers of all ages.

I have provided links to recommended daily allowance tables so you can check whether the recommended amounts are within the tolerable upper limit for your age. Unless you are prescribed by a qualified practitioner, do not exceed the tolerable upper limit for any mineral or vitamin for acne.

Healthy and radiant skin requires proper nutrition. However, according to a 2007 report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 39.5 percent of Americans eat less than the recommended three to five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals can affect the body's ability to function optimally. Vitamins and minerals can be taken to supplement our diets when our nutritional needs are lacking through food consumption alone.

However, multivitamins should not be taken as a substitute for eating healthy foods. Taking too much of any vitamin or mineral can be toxic and extremely dangerous. Please consult with a doctor or other trained healthcare professional before taking any dietary supplements.

* Vitamin A - Retinoids, derivatives of vitamin A, are used to treat acne and other skin disorders. Retinoids are prescribed by dermatologists both topically and orally. A common type of retinoid used in the oral treatment of acne is isotretinoin.

* Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, chromium, zinc, and selenium are nutrients that may have both anti-acne and mood regulating properties according to an acne study conducted at the Lasky Skin Clinic in 2008.

* Zinc - The National Library of Science recognizes that zinc may be effective in the treatment of acne based on available science evidence. The Department of Dermatology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in New York also recognizes zinc, along with vitamin A, and tea tree oil (also ayurvedic therapies) as over-the-counter remedies available for treating acne. However, its position on these remedies is that additional and better studies are needed to clarify the benefits.

Daily essential fatty acids are strong vitamin for acne recommendations - 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil, supplying the omega 3 fatty acids, (or the equivalent in grams in capsules - about 6g or 6 x 1g capsules) and 2g of omega 6, or omega 6 derivative oils, like evening primrose oil.

Zinc - 30 - 80 mg daily.
Vitamin C - 3000 - 5000 mg daily.
Vitamin E - 400IU daily.