Supplements guide that could assist the severity of breakouts
Before considering whether to take supplements, it’s imperative that you consult your healthcare professional as to their suitability.
Vitamin B1 & B complex
Often called the anti-stress vitamin because it helps your body cope with stress and strengthens your immune system.
Vitamin B5
Pantothenic Acid helps wound healing, reduce sunspots and scarring from hyperpigmentation.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient required for tissue development, growth, and repair in all parts of your body, including your skin. As an antioxidant it helps protect cells from free radical damage, boosts your immunity, improves iron absorption from plant based foods and promotes heart health. It is needed for repairing and healing wounds and maintaining healthy bones and teeth. It also maintains healthy blood vessels and cartilage. Vitamin C is not produced or stored in the body and therefore we need to consume foods rich in Vitamin C or take supplements to stay healthy. If you are on medication, always check with your doctor or pharmacist to ensure it is safe for you. Vitamin C will reduce the amount of absorption of B12 if taken together.
Curcumin
Curcumin helps balance sebum production, regulates blood sugar levels and helps wound healing
Vitamin D
Vitamin D levels helps reduce inflammation, fight infection and assists with lowering blood glucose (blood insulin response). Some Acne sufferers experience low Vitamin D levels. Poor diet as well as chronic stress contribute to insulin resistance and our body’s response to this is to produce more insulin which further stimulates androgen production. Vitamin D absorption is improved when taken with Vitamin K2.
L- Glutamine
Glutamine is an amino acid with numerous functions in the body. It plays a significant role in promoting good gut health and enhancing digestion, curbing sugar cravings, and protecting against leaky gut. It usually assists those with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
Magnesium Glycinate
Magnesium improves sleep, anxiety and inflammation that can be exacerbated by sugary, processed, and refined foods.
Omega 3
Calms inflammation and restores and repairs a compromised skin barrier and cells affected by sebum. Omega 3 helps normalise skin lipids, improves hydration and changes the consistency of sebum to a watery substance instead of a thick and gluggy texture, lubricating the hair follicle passage causing less blockages. It helps reduce inflammation and the effects of stress, which increases the cortisol hormone.
Pre & Probiotics
Oral probiotics improve skin conditions by reducing the lipopolysaccharides and improving intestinal barrier function, gut microbiome and reducing inflammation (evidence suggests a strong connection between gut and skin). Oral probiotics reduce systemic markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are elevated locally in those with acne. Probiotics can also regulate and release pro-inflammatory cytokines within the skin.
Prebiotics contain ingredients that the gut needs from our diet to produce good bacteria. When our diet is lacking in these ingredients, it is best to help the gut by taking a course of prebiotics together with probiotics to improve your gut microbiome and reduce inflammation.
Selenium
Selenium supports the body’s production of Glutathione, an enzyme that combats inflammation. It also protects other skin-supporting antioxidants, like vitamin A and E, which help minimise acne lesions and scarring.
Zinc
Zinc is a trace element necessary for healthy immune function and overall skin health. It maintains skin integrity, and adequate levels reduce and regulate inflammatory conditions. It is vital for production of new skin cells, and regulates sebum and oil gland function. Zinc deficiency can lead to skin inflammation, lesions and delayed wound healing. The Villi tissue integrity is also impacted with low levels, as Zinc protects the intestinal cells from excessive cell death which is driven by inflammation.
There are many different forms of Zinc, but Picolinate and Methionine Zinc types are best to improve skin health by reducing inflammation, C-acne bacteria and testosterone levels. Zinc should be taken at night with food. Do not take zinc and copper supplements at the same time as it hampers copper absorption.
Zinc citrate and sulphate have the lowest effect on the skin.
Disclaimer:
The content in this blog is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended in any way to substitute professional medical advice.
