Essential Vitamins and Minerals for Acne

Which vitamins and minerals should you be taking/applying to help treat your acne, or prevent future breakouts? The three most important ones are vitamins A and D, and Zinc. Other vitamins and minerals are still essential for living a healthy life, but if you are suffering from acne, these three are the most important ones you should be focusing on:

Vitamin D – Did you know that vitamin D boosts the communication between your nerve cells and your body’s ability to fight off harmful bacteria, viruses and other germs? Your body naturally produces this vitamin when you are exposed to sunlight, but it’s not recommended to be out in the sun for long amounts of time. Besides skin cell growth and repair, it also minimizes the risks of premature aging by preventing the free radicals that can break down and destroy your skin’s younger cells.

Vitamin A – Also known as retinoids, helps treat inflammatory acne lesions and decreases your body’s risk for any further infection. As an antioxidant, it filters and destroys free radicals found in your body, promoting better skin and overall health. Vitamin A can be found in certain types of fish like salmon, tuna and herring. Green vegetables also contain large amounts of vitamin A.

Zinc – One of the most vital minerals to help treat acne breakouts. Zinc helps promote the healing of your wounds and boosts your immune system. This mineral maintains your skin’s strength, structure and integrity, making your pimples heal faster and preventing current ones from becoming larger. Aside from those, zinc also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, since acne can also be caused by bacterial infections on your skin. You can get zinc from foods such as poultry, beans, nuts and whole grains, and seafood.