Vitamin A for acne!

08/03/2019
acne min

Acne! It happens to everyone! Although most people have gone through the stage of acne in their teenage years, there are many others who experience it in adulthood. This is because acne occurs during periods of hormonal disorders. How can we deal with it and what how vitamin A can help us?

Vitamin A: where is it?

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, valuable to our body as it contributes to healthy eyesight and healthy skin. We will find it:

  • many animal foods such as liver, salmon etc.
  • dark green vegetables e.g. spinach,
  • many fruit and vegetables in orange and yellow color, e.g. carrots, peppers, mangoes and others.
  • many foods fortified with vitamin A e.g. dairy products and breakfast cereals.

Does Vitamin A help acne?

Vitamin A belongs to antioxidants, so it protects our cells from free radicals and thus helps us having a healthy skin. It also reduces inflammation – a factor that usually coexists with acne.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), retinol – a form of vitamin A – can help treating and preventing inflammation in acne. There are many studies that suggest that topical use of retinoid products can help acne.

Retinol helps improve acne because:

  • It reduces inflammation
  • It contributes to the development of skin cells, thus reducing scars
  • It is likely to reduce sebum production
  • It gives a uniform color in skin tone
  • Smoothes the skin
  • Protects against environmental pollution

Retinoids have a very good effect also if used in conjunction with antibiotics given to treat severe cases of acne.

For oral intake of vitamin A, studies so far have shown that a small dose of vitamin A may have good effects on moderate to severe acne. However, the dose should be determined by your dermatologist.

Vitamin A and overdose

Although supplements with vitamin A can help in acne, special attention is needed with the dosage. Since it is a fat-soluble vitamin, it can accumulate in the body and therefore vitamin A intake exceeding 10,000 IU per day can become toxic. The daily intake of vitamin A should not exceed 5,000 IU. So if you decide to take a vitamin A supplement, you should talk to your doctor.

For external use, when you start using topical products with retinoids, it is important to do it gradually so as your skin get used to the product. You could use it initially day by day and then daily. This will reduce the risk of reactions such as redness and peeling.
Because retinoids can increase your sensitivity to the sun, it is advisable to wear sunscreen during the day.

So try changing your diet by choosing foods rich in vitamin A and curative creams with retinol and watch your skin changing. If the problem persists, you can try a vitamin A supplement in low dose, in consultation with your doctor.

In Vita4you.gr you will find a great variety in supplements with Vitamin A!

Pelagia Damianou

Bsc, Nutritionist - Dietician specializing in Clinical Nutrition, in Food Disorders in Children and Adolescents and in Nutritional Supplements. Certified Consultant of Vichy and La Roche Posay.

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Disclaimer

The content of this blogspot is not and can not be considered as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All information is provided to readers solely for informational purposes. There is no intention to substitute this content for personalized medical advice, diagnosis, prognosis or treatment.

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