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To Help Control Acne, Turn to Powerful Vitamin A

Confidence is the only key. I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself. 

—Emma Stone

If you’re battling acne, you’re not alone. In fact, no other skin condition is as common as acne vulgaris. It’s a teenage challenge that can have you buying pricey creams, lotions and potions, when nutritional healing may be all you need. But before you spend more money on another product, it might help to work on healing from the inside out, starting with vitamin A, a key nutrient for clearer skin.

Acne vulgaris is caused by sebum trapped in pores. Sebum is the oily substance that naturally lubricates your skin and hair. But, when sebum clogs a pore, it can promote the growth of bacteria called Proprionbacterium acnes or P. acnes for short. 

UCLA researchers have identified various strains of P. acnes, including ones that can shift your immune system into overdrive and cause the inflammation and redness associated with acne. They also discovered how vitamin A helps block the pimply actions of P. acnes.

Zit-zapping effects of vitamin A

Vitamin A promotes cell turnover, a key action that helps prevent blackheads and whiteheads from forming. Plus, its immune-supporting properties can help control inflammation triggered by acne. 

Here are three simple ways to get more vitamin A working for your skin:

  1. Fill your plate with colorful veggies and fruits. Think orange, yellow and green vegetables and fruits like cantaloupe, carrots, kale, spinach and sweet potatoes. These foods are rich in plant compounds like beta-carotene and other carotenoids that your body can convert into vitamin A (retinol).  
  2. Add animal-based foods in moderation. Foods such as beef and chicken liver, fish, eggs and dairy products are good sources of vitamin A in its ready-to-use form (retinol), so your body doesn’t have to convert it first.
  3. Take a complete multivitamin with vitamin A. Look for a supplement that provides up to 100% of the Daily Value for vitamin A per daily serving (from either retinol, beta-carotene or a combination of both).   

For better skin days, why not stack the odds in your favor? Every day, get enough vitamin A from foods, and supplement to fill any gap.

 You’ve Got This!

Lorna & Kathleen (The EatingFor Team)

P.S. Like this tip? For more, check out You’ve Got This! 45 Doable Tips for Teens to Feel Good, Look Good & Succeed. Available at IngramSpark, Amazon.com and other online retailers.