Vitamins For Hormonal Acne

Revitalize your skin! Learn about vitamins for hormonal acne. Explore a natural path to clearer skin, addressing imbalances with targeted supplements.

If you struggle with hormonal acne, finding a treatment that works for you can feel painstaking. Hormonal acne is different from regular acne, which is typically caused by bacteria on the skin. As implied by the name, hormonal acne is directly caused by hormonal fluctuations that change the amount of oil your skin produces making it more susceptible to acne breakouts.

Hormonal acne can occur in both men and women as a result of puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, overproduction of testosterone, and certain medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

There are many treatment options available for those suffering from hormonal acne. These treatments commonly include a variety of topical solutions but these can feel very invasive to some and may even cause further skin irritation.

Recent research is finding that certain nutrients and plant compounds may help naturally treat hormonal acne from the inside out, allowing for a more natural path to clear skin.

The Link Between Hormones And Acne

Hormonal imbalance can occur during a variety of life stages, particularly in women but also in men. These fluctuations in hormones can result in an overproduction of sebum which is an oily substance produced by the glands of your skin that can clog pores.

The sebaceous glands are oil glands that produce sebum to help keep the skin moist but when these glands get clogged they become irritated and inflamed, resulting in acne cysts. (Source)

Hormonal acne can present as a whitehead, blackhead, cysts, papule (raised area of skin), or pustule (raised area of skin that contains pus). It can appear on your face, neck, back, shoulders, or chest. (Source)

Hormonal imbalances can often be identified during various life stages however, sometimes hormonal imbalances occur as a result of a condition or lifestyle factors such as poor diet, high stress, and inadequate sleep.

Unfortunately, some are more susceptible to hormonal acne breakouts due to family history or medication use, such as steroids. If you aren’t sure if your acne breakouts are related to a hormonal imbalance or bacteria, speak to your healthcare provider or dermatologist to get an evaluation to help determine treatment options.

If you are suffering from a hormonal imbalance that may be caused or worsened by lifestyle factors, specifically diet, there are some nutrients you can include to help balance your hormones and potentially reduce your acne breakouts.

Key Vitamins For Hormonal Acne

If you are interested in taking a more natural routine to reduce your hormonal acne breakouts, start with key acne-fighting nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin C.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is well-known for its topical benefits in reducing acne breakouts but some research shows oral vitamin A may also provide benefits. According to a few studies, oral vitamin A may help to treat acne and prevent it from worsening. (Source)(Source)

While research is promising, studies are small, and more research is still warranted on vitamin A’s potential role in acne treatment. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin and essential nutrient however, it’s important to avoid consuming excess amounts in the form of supplements as this could lead to vitamin A toxicity.

Aim to consume adequate dietary sources of vitamin A with the current recommendation for adults to get 5,000 IU per day. Vitamin A is found in leafy greens, yellow and orange fruits, and veggies such as tomatoes, carrots, and bell peppers, as well as beef liver, milk, and eggs.

Consuming vitamin A alone is not likely to solve hormonal acne breakouts but rather you should try to incorporate rich sources of dietary vitamin A in a balanced diet. (Source)

Vitamin D

Another fat-soluble vitamin important for skin health is vitamin D. Vitamin D is found in fatty fish, dairy, and fortified foods however, the best source comes from exposure to direct sunlight. Some studies have found a link between vitamin D and acne breakouts, particularly in those who are low in this essential vitamin. (Source)(Source)

Vitamin D plays an important role in our immune health. It’s believed this link may be where vitamin D plays a role in our skin, particularly pertaining to acne. Unfortunately, a large portion of the population is estimated to be low in vitamin D levels. (Source)

According to these studies, those who were deficient in vitamin D had a higher likelihood of experiencing severe symptoms of acne compared to those who had adequate levels. It also showed that those who had acne noticed an improvement in symptoms once they began supplementing with oral vitamin D. (Source)(Source) 

Additionally, vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties that may help to reduce inflammation caused by acne breakouts to promote faster healing and reduced discomfort. (Source)

As with vitamin A, vitamin D is fat-soluble which can increase the risk of developing toxicity if consumed in excess amounts as with supplementation. If you aren’t sure if you are suffering from low levels of vitamin D, consider reaching out to your doctor or healthcare provider to get your levels tested. Adults should avoid consuming more than 100 micrograms of vitamin D per day. (Source)

To avoid potential toxicity from vitamin D supplements, consider choosing a balanced diet rich in good sources of vitamin D such as those mentioned above.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E acts as a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound that may provide benefits for the treatment and management of hormonal acne. Like vitamin A, vitamin E has been studied for its potential uses as an acne treatment both topically and orally.

Acne symptoms may be worsened in individuals who are not meeting their nutritional needs for vitamin E. While studies have found improvements in acne in individuals who took vitamin E supplements, the most impactful were in cases of nutrition deficiency which improved with vitamin E supplementation.

It should also be noted that many studies conducted on vitamin E and acne were done so with additional nutrients, such as vitamin A or zinc and therefore it is difficult to say if vitamin E had a direct relationship with the results or if it was another nutrient or combination thereof.

Whether or not vitamin E alone is a good option for acne treatment is not yet determined but many studies do show promise for its role in promoting skin health and have found it may be beneficial when combined with other skin-loving nutrients. For example, a combination study found improvements in acne in those who were supplemented with vitamins A and E. (Source)(Source) 

Like any vitamin, it’s imperative to aim to get what you need from your diet as soon as you are able. Especially being that vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and excessive supplementation in those who do not need it can increase the risk for vitamin toxicity.

Vitamin E can be found in good sources in foods such as plant oils (sunflower, safflower, soybean, and corn), as well as nuts, seeds, and fortified cereals. Adults should aim to consume 15 milligrams of vitamin E per day from these sources. (Source)

If you aren’t sure if you are low in vitamin E, speak with your doctor or healthcare provider to obtain bloodwork to determine if supplementation might benefit you.

Vitamin C

Like vitamin E, vitamin C is a potent antioxidant. It also plays a vital role in the production of collagen, an essential protein for the structure and integrity of your skin.

While the majority of research on vitamin C has been conducted on topical solutions, oral vitamin C may also be beneficial in helping to treat and manage hormonal acne breakouts. (Source)

While there is no current link to connect oral vitamin C supplements to curing acne, vitamin C plays an important role in immune health which may be the key to improving skin and reducing acne breakouts.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin which means there is no concern for potential toxicities in most cases as your body will excrete any extra it doesn’t need. You can find vitamin C in rich sources in foods such as citrus fruits, peppers, berries, broccoli, and more. Adults should aim to consume between 75-90 milligrams of vitamin C per day. (Source)

Supplementing For Hormonal Acne

Supplements can help fill in nutritional gaps where needed to ensure you are getting adequate amounts of essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. While supplements are not the first line of defense, particularly in the treatment of acne, they should be considered in those who might benefit from them.

Certain supplements, such as fish oil may be especially beneficial in those suffering from hormonal acne. Fish oil is a common supplement for many as it can sometimes be difficult to obtain adequate levels through diet alone depending on where you live and your food preferences.

Fish oil, which is rich in omega-3 fats, is found mainly in fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel. It acts as an anti-inflammatory which can reduce the severity of hormonal acne breakouts, especially in those who may not be meeting their dietary needs from food.

To best manage hormonal acne, a balance between both oral and topical treatments is likely needed. With both, it’s essential to be consistent with your routine and be sure to get the accurate dosages for your treatment plan.

If you are trying to tackle managing your hormonal acne on your own, consider getting professional help such as meeting with a Dermatologist or even a Registered Dietitian to help you balance your hormones, evaluate for potential nutrient deficiencies, and choose the right regimen for you.

Diet And Lifestyle: Complementing Your Vitamin Regimen

Aside from topical and oral supplementation for acne management, it’s important to consider diet and lifestyle. Diet plays a key role in health and can impact, both positively and negatively, the health and appearance of our skin.

As mentioned earlier, certain nutrient deficiencies can worsen hormonal acne breakouts. Additionally, frequent consumption of certain foods, such as highly processed food items, can trigger or worsen hormonal acne symptoms as these foods can disrupt hormone balance.

While it’s not realistic to avoid all processed foods, it’s important to practice moderation. Focus on incorporating more skin-loving foods that can keep your hormones balanced. Include good sources of healthy fats, such as fatty fish, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and avocado, as well as plenty of whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, and lean meats.

Consuming a balanced diet that incorporates these nutrients can help avoid nutrition deficiencies, improve hormone balance, boost immune function, reduce inflammation, and promote healthy skin overall.

In addition to dietary considerations, lifestyle challenges such as high stress and inadequate sleep can fuel hormone imbalance and worsen hormonal acne.

Stress on its own does not directly trigger hormonal acne but rather negatively affects hormone balance and immune function. Stress also releases the hormone cortisol which can increase sebaceous gland activity and therefore increase sebum and exacerbate acne lesions. (Source)

Additionally, inadequate sleep or chronic sleep deprivation can also release excess cortisol levels due to the stress it imparts on your body and your immune function. Chronic loss of sleep can trigger or worsen hormonal acne symptoms. (Source)

Human Tonik’s Solution: Synbio Tonik for Hormonal Acne

It can feel overwhelming trying to determine what your body needs to help treat and manage hormonal acne. While supplements are not always needed, they are a useful tool for filling nutritional gaps, improving hormone balance, and encouraging healthy, glowing skin.

If you are interested in taking a supplement for the management of your hormones and hormonal acne breakouts but aren’t sure if you are struggling with any deficiencies, Human Tonik Synbio Tonik is a great option to consider. Synbio Tonik is a prebiotic and probiotic powder that provides benefits for both gut and skin health.

Synbio Tonik’s natural ingredients aid in balancing hormones and promoting clear skin. Each serving contains 5 billion CFUs of gut-supporting bacteria and 5 grams of prebiotic fiber for optimum gut health.

Research has found that certain lifestyle factors, such as stress and inadequate sleep, as well as dietary factors, can contribute to altering our important gut microbiome which plays a significant role in our immune function and hormonal health. (Source) 

FAQs

What Are The Best Vitamins For Hormonal Acne?

No one vitamin works best for treating hormonal acne. Instead, consuming a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients is the best way to manage hormones and reduce the incidence of hormonal acne.

With that said, vitamins A, D, E, and C have been researched for their potential benefits in improving hormonal acne but further research on these remains warranted before they can be recommended as an acne treatment.

How Do Vitamins Help In Treating Hormonal Acne?

It’s believed these vitamins work in numerous different ways to reduce hormonal acne breakouts including helping to balance hormones, improving immune health, and acting as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds which can promote healthy skin.

Can Supplements Alone Cure Hormonal Acne?

Taking supplements alone for hormonal acne will not likely provide any benefits unless a nutrient deficiency is present. Many diet and lifestyle factors must be considered when treating hormonal acne.

Additionally, the presence of certain conditions and medications can make hormonal acne unavoidable and more difficult to manage. If you are struggling to manage your hormonal acne, consider speaking with your doctor or healthcare provider for different options.

What Lifestyle Changes Support The Effectiveness Of Vitamins For Hormonal Acne?

If you are supplementing with various vitamins to help reduce the severity of hormonal acne breakouts, lifestyle factors are going to influence the effectiveness of these.

While taking supplements, be sure to do your best to consume a balanced diet rich in a variety of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, and lean meats, and drink plenty of water. Avoid highly processed food items and high amounts of added sugars.

Prioritize stress management and adequate sleep to improve hormone balance and reduce cortisol levels. Making these changes can help significantly improve hormonal acne breakouts when combined with skin-loving vitamin supplements.