Acne Vitamin A Supplements: Are They a Real Solution?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin condition in the USA as up to 50 million people are affected by it every year (1).

 Vitamin A and Its Role in Skin Health

 Vitamin A is a vital nutrient to human health and has been identified as a principal vitamin for skincare, giving your skin a young glow and smooth texture. Vitamin A has a reputation for being an anti-aging (pertaining to skin) miracle substance that started in the 80s, when clinical scientists found that a derivative of topical Vitamin A called tretinoin helped boost collagen production in mice with photo-aged skin (extensive exposer to UV light).

 Benefits of Vitamin A for the Skin

•  Facilitates Cell Proliferation

 Vitamin A is responsible for promoting healthy cell production throughout your body including the outer layer of the largest organ in your body, the skin.

Vitamin A deficiency will inhibit healthy cell production and ultimately leave your skin weak and unhealthy. Unhealthy skin is easily noticeable and usually the sign of a poor diet and unhealthy lifestyle; a leading cause to acne.

•  Vitamin A Provides Protection Against UV Damage from the Sun

 A lack of vitamin A will make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Having a diet with healthy levels of vitamin A will help protect you from severely damaging your skin cells from ultraviolet sun rays.

•  Prevents Physical Signs of Aging

 Oxidative stress caused by excessive levels of free radicals can destroy healthy cells and leave your skin looking distressed. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes and removes free radicals that are responsible for damaging collagen cells in the skin.

By preventing the breakdown of collagen, vitamin A plays a major role in preventing the onset of distressed looking skin (premature aging).

•  Smoothens Skin by Reducing Wrinkles

 Improves skin health by facilitating cell growth. Vitamin A helps regenerate new cells that produce collagen in your skin. Increasing your skin’s levels of collagen will dampen the creases that were ingrained in the dermis over time.

• Treats Acne

 Research shows that a significant lack of vitamin A, vitamin E, and zinc to be an influencing factor in causing acne. As mentioned above, this vitamin is an antioxidant as well as a stimulant to the production of new cells (particularly collagen); these functions are necessary to the reduction in severity of acne breakouts. Taking vitamin A supplements and/or eating foods high in beta-carotene are effective acne treatments.

Physiology of Vitamin A and Human Skin

Vitamin A plays a crucial role in the physiology of human skin. It acts as a regulator of cell growth and differentiation, and has a critical role in the maintenance of the skin's barrier function.

Vitamin A is converted into retinoids, which are the active forms of the vitamin that can bind to specific receptors in the skin cells. These retinoid receptors are found in the basal layer of the epidermis, which is the top layer of the skin. The binding of retinoids to these receptors activates various signaling pathways that control the growth and differentiation of the skin cells.

One of the key functions of retinoids is to regulate the process of keratinocyte differentiation, which is the process by which skin cells mature and move from the basal layer to the surface of the skin.

Retinoids promote the differentiation of keratinocytes, which leads to the formation of a thicker and more protective stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis. This helps to maintain the skin's barrier function, which is essential for preventing water loss, protecting the skin from environmental damage, and functioning as an effective acne treatment.

Retinoids also play a role in regulating the production of sebum, an oily substance that is produced by the secaceous glands in the skin.

Excessive sebum production can contribute to the development of acne. Retinoids help to reduce the production of sebum and prevent clogging of the pores, which can cause acne.

Additionally, retinoids have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce redness and inflammation associated with acne. They also play a role in protecting the skin from UV radiation by increasing the production of melanin, the pigment that gives color to the skin and provides protection from UV light.

Are Vitamin A Supplements Effective for Acne Treatment?

 Short answer: yes. Deficiency in vitamin A may lead to inflammation and decreased cell renewal, ultimately causing acne and other health issues. If your diet isn’t including enough nutrient dense whole foods that contain natural forms of vitamin A, you’re likely deficient and may need to consume more of the vitamin (or beta-carotene) to offset the symptoms that will show up in your skin in the form of acne.

Taking beta carotene supplements that also contain zinc is another way to boost the efficacy of supplementation for acne treatment.

 As our bodies are constantly experiencing bouts with free radicals that can damage our healthy cells, we need to have foods daily that are rich in antioxidants.  Since vitamin A is essential to our wellbeing and possesses powerful antioxidant properties that help prevent cellular damage (notably in the skin), it makes sense to use it as a form of acne treatment.  

 Choosing the Best Supplement and Dosage.

 The best way to get vitamin A is through a healthy diet full of nutritious naturally derived foods . Generally foods that are vibrant in red, orange, and yellow are loaded with beta-carotene (Vitamin A’s precursor), such as carrots, sweet potatoes, wild salmon, etc.

Fresh squeezed carrot juice is a the top of the our list for getting optimal doses of beta-carotene.

 There are multiple types of Vitamin A that come in either topical or oral formats. The topical vitamin form is called retinol or retinoids. These compounds are converted into vitamin A after being applied to the skin.

Synthetic forms of retinoic acid (the active form of Vit A) are a less common way to help treat acne with Accutane (isotretinoin) being the strongest version available (2). Accutane requires a prescription, however, other forms of retinoids can be found over-the-counter, such as retinyl palmitate.

It is important to note that Accutane is a powerful medication that can cause serious side effects, such as birth defects, depression, and other mental health problems. Before speaking to a physician about this med for treating acne, try having a balanced diet and engaging in regular physical activity for a period of consistency, it is almost guaranteed that you will see improvements.

 Vitamin A in supplement form is another way to optimize your daily intake and effectively resist acne (3). When looking for supplement containing Vitamin A, it is recommended to get it in the form of beta-carotene which is the safest and most bioavailable way for your body to absorb the nutrient.

 When taking Vitamin A as a supplement it is very important to understand the proper dosage. Taking too much vitamin A can be toxic and harmful to your body. The maximum recommended daily intake of Vitamin A is 5,000 IU.

It is advisable not to take supplements that are close to or exceed the recommended dose of 5,000 IU. If you are getting a decent amount of nutritious vitamin A-rich foods in your diet, then you should keep your supplemental intake of Vitamin A to a lesser degree to account for the amount derived in your foods.

 Taking Vitamin A as beta-carotene in combination with zinc and other skin fortifying ingredients contained in a quality supplement is a fantastic way to get adequate doses while effectively treating nutrient deficiencies that cause acne.

What Are the Best Acne Treatments

Diet:

There is strong evidence that certain foods and nutrients can influence the development of acne. Consuming a diet high in processed foods, sugar and high-glycemic-index (GI) carbohydrates, and diary products will lead to the onset of acne. On the other hand, a heathy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids is essential for treating acne. These foods are high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which will promote healthy ski.

Exercise:

Regular exercise can also have a positive impact on acne. Exercise increases blood flow, which can help to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the skin. It also helps to flush out toxins, waste products, and dead skin cells. Exercise also causes the body to release endorphins, which are natural chemicals that help improve mood and reduce stress. Stress can exacerbate acne, so reducing stress levels can be beneficial in treating acne.

   Takeaway

 Vitamin A can be an effective method to treat acne and improving your skin health. Having a deficiency in vitamin A can leave your skin sensitive and prone to inflammation.

Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals that would otherwise damage skin cells allowing for the proliferation of healthy collagen cells that strengthen your skin.

It is best to get vitamin A naturally from foods whenever possible, but taking vitamin A for acne in supplement form is also a great alternative. Beta carotene is the best form of vitamin A when taking it in supplement form as beta carotene is naturally converted into vitamin A within the body after ingestion.

 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

•  Is Vitamin A effective as a form of acne treatment?

Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that may help fight free radicals in the skin. It is also an anti-inflammatory and can help reduce inflammation in the skin. Inflammation and oxidative stress from free radicals are major contributors to causing acne, by neutralizing their negative impacts, Vitamin A can help with acne.

•  How do you get Vitamin A for acne?

Vitamin A for acne can be taken orally or topically. Very strong versions of topical vitamin A called Accutane can be prescribed by a health care professional and more mild versions called retinol can be found over-the-counter. Oral versions of Vitamin A can be found in supplements. Look for beta-carotene as the primary source of vitamin A when taking in supplement format.

 You can also get healthy doses of vitamin A naturally from nutritious food sources such as carrots and papaya.

•  How long does it take for vitamin A to clear acne?

This is entirely relative and depends on the person’s level of acne, diet, lifestyle, and genetic composition. Generally oral supplements as well as other acne treatments take 3-6 weeks before having noticeable impact. It is very important to remember that a poor diet and lack of regular exercise will only exacerbate your acne with supplements only making minor contributions.

The best form of acne treatments are a balanced diet and physical activity. Always strive to eat healthy and get exercise to improve your skin and overall health.

• What Happens If I Take Too Much Vitamin A to Treat Acne?

 Too much intake can be toxic and cause hair loss, vision problems, and liver damage. Read supplement labels carefully and do not exceed the recommended dose.

•   What is the recommended dosage per day?    

 The recommended dosage for adults is typically between 700 and 1500 micrograms per day, which is equivalent to 2,333 and 5,000 International Units (IU) per day. Even when taking vitamin A as acne treatment, it is advisable not to exceed the recommended daily intake unless otherwise directed by your physician

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