Worst things in life come free, huh?
One moment, you could be happy and blissful, enjoying your little bubble of joy.
The next moment you could be opening your eyes to a horrific scene right in front of you.
Imagine this: You have tried everything you could, sweat out blood and bones only to watch your acne grow.
You were hoping that with the passage of a couple of days, things would fall into place.
But as you wake up in the morning to looking in the mirror, you feel like you’re in a never ending battle with yourself and everything else that is around you.
You’ve tried everything.
But nothing seems to be working.
Well, turns out, nothing seems to be working because you have not utilized the most effective solution yet.
Want to know a secret?
You can get rid of your acne.
Sure, overnight is impossible, but you can definitely heal yourself within a week or 10 days.
The precise way of attaining clear skin is by a vitamin A - rich diet.
This brings us to our very first question.
What Does Vitamin A Do for Acne?
Vitamin A is an essential component that serves as an active combatant against acne.
However, this vitamin is only effective when it is consumed the right way, in the right form and in the right quantity. According to a research study, it doesn't even have the same effects in the form of most acne supplements as it does in it's more natural form.
Before you understand how vitamin A is relevant to your acne problem, you need to understand the different types of Vitamin A.
Types of Vitamin A
Carotenoids
These are a type of vitamin A found in carrots.
If you notice the dark yellow-orange-copperish pigments the carrots or other vegetables then you are actually taking a look at the beta-carotene which is basically the first type of vitamin A (and the strongest type).
On average, an American actually consumes 33% of their vitamin A’s dosage from the first type of vitamin A.
Retinoids
Retinoids are the synthetic form of vitamin A.
This type is also known as performed vitamin A.
It's found in most dairy products and eggs.
It's still strong but not like beta carotene.
Health Benefits of Vitamin A and Acne
Anti-Inflammation
Vitamin A is an active and effective anti-inflammatory agent, as you can see from this study.
The consumption of vitamin A allows your body to neutralize the free radicals discharge in your body - which is why it's so effective against acne.
Free radicals are a result of a chemical imbalance that is injurious to your cells.
Vitamin A’s anti-inflammation traits prevent the inflammation of your cells and allow your muscles to relax.
Improved Immunity
Vitamin A is an effective source of strengthening the immune system
This is because this vitamin is associated with the circulation of the genes that trigger an immune reception.
In addition, beta-carotene, an active ingredient in vitamin A is known for its hardy antioxidant properties.
In this manner, vitamin A is a great source of battling various diseases and conditions like acne.
Improved Vision
Carotenoids are the dark colored pigments that you notice on fruits and veggies that contain vitamin A.
Particularly, when it comes to carrots, carotenoids are even easier to notice.
Carotenoids play an essential role in preventing faltering vision and protect your body from muscular degeneration.
With sufficient consumption of carotenoids, you can actually prevent this disease (muscular degeneration) which is often a result of old age.
But apart from that, there is one thing Vitamin A is most sought after for: A cure for acne.
Does it work?
Is it effective?
People have had their doubts but we can only learn more by walking through the guide and looking at the impacts of vitamin A’s consumption.
Why Should You Use Vitamin A for Acne?
Vitamin A carries both beta-carotene and retinoids. It has the ability to strengthen the immune system by eliminating free radicals and defending against bacteria that causes acne and inflammation to form.
So exactly what does vitamin A do for acne?
Let’s go by the cause and effect rule.8
Combats Free Radicals
We have already discussed that Vitamin A is a strong and effective antioxidant
This is why it has the ability to battle against free radicals.
Free radicals are a product of chemical imbalance in your body.
The reason why free radicals are harmful is because they induce oxidative stress in your body.
This alters the way your body’s sebaceous glands perform.
Sebaceous glands are the oil producer of your body.
With the discharge of free radicals, sebaceous glands overproduce the oil in your body.
This clogs your pores.
Clogged pores are unable to breathe and excrete the bacteria that dwell in your skin.
In this manner, the bacteria become trapped within your skin.
Accumulation and collection of bacteria results in the formation of blemishes that you identify as acne.
The consumption of Vitamin A regulates the sebaceous glands’ performance by inhibiting the discharge of free radicals.
As a result, your pores have the access to breathability, resulting in an acne free skin.
Encourages New Skin Growth
Vitamin A is useful in providing an antidote for acne amongst young people.
Because it has a proactive component that is known as retinoid and isotrentenoin.
Both of these chemical components are directly related to encouraging the development of quicker cell growth, like you can see here.
These chemicals execute by activating the genetic structure in the body which is responsible for skin development and growth.
The most essential skin cells that make up a total of 95% of your outward skin cells are keratinocytes.
The remaining 5% of your skin is made of epidermis.
Keratinocytes are responsible for upholding the blood vessels and the nerves in their right place.
This is why it is important for keratinocytes to reproduce in order to sustain the vessels and the nerves that regulate the blood flow in place.
Now the growth and development of keratinocytes is also essential since it brings about the new cells to the surface of your skin, shedding the dead skin cells.
This opens and expands the pores in your skin that might otherwise stay clogged.
Clogged pores, as we know, are known for trapping the bacteria within.
Once the new cells emerge to the surface, your skin is renewed and with the shedding of dead skin cells, your skin achieves riddance from the bacteria that triggers acne.
In this manner, the consumption of Vitamin A is essential for inducing the growth of new skin cells in order to replace the old, dead ones.
Hydration is Key
A lesser known fact about Vitamin A is that is actually hydrates your skin.
This allows your skin to receive the nourishment it needs to stay glowing and young.
But that is beside the point.
Sure, the consumption of vitamin A aids in making your skin look bright and young.
But what is more effectual is that it hydrates your skin.
One of the greatest reasons why your skin might experience an acne problem is due to dehydration.
A lack of water consumption or staying under the UV rays can dry up your skin.
This triggers your body’s dependency on the sebaceous glands.
Sebaceous glands are associated with the oil production in your body.
When you fail to comply by the hydration standard, your body finds alternative routes to keeping your skin hydrated.
As a result, this provokes the sebaceous glands to overproduce oil in your skin.
Excessive oil production clogs up your skin and traps the bacteria within.
Trapped bacteria feed off of your skin and accumulates until it forms pus.
The bumpiness that you feel under your skin is basically the collection of bacteria that remains due to excessive oil production.
Provides Burn Relief
A less common known reason behind acne that emerges from skin irritation is due to excessive exposure to UV rays.
In warmer climates, staying out in the sun can give overly expose your skin to UV Rays.
Your skin is sensitive and UV rays are hazardous
Sure, you already know that intense levels of UV Rays result in skin cancer.
But what is a much less common fact is that over exposure to UV rays also causes skin burns.
Now when your skin burns due to sunbathing or tanning, it triggers the heated sensation in your body.
This irritates your skin and induces the need for a relaxant that would soothe the skin.
As a result, your body relies on the sebaceous glands to stimulate the oil production.
This is because oily skin, unlike dry, relieves the skin of the burning sensation that results from too much heat exposure.
Vitamin A is an effective antioxidant and naturally hydrates your skin.
As a result, it prevents the need for oil production in your body that triggers acne.
Therefore, consumption of Vitamin A is a natural remedy not only for burns but also for acne (as you can see from this study here if you don't believe me).
How Can You Consume Vitamin A?
No Fats or Bad Carbs
One of the easiest and simplest ways in which you can consume Vitamin A is through your diet.
For most part of your diet, it is essential to eliminate fats and bad carbohydrates.
This is because these nutrients are only needed in small amounts and act as body’s energizers.
However, excessive consumption of fats in the form of oily, greasy, fried and sugary items can actually trigger your acne.
Not only are you not consuming antioxidants, you are in fact, consuming items that augment the levels of adrenaline and cholesterol in your body.
This stimulates overproduction of oil in your skin, automatically resulting in acne breakout.
More Protein
Protein based diets are naturally inclined to higher portions of the vital vitamins.
In particular, if you wish to increase your consumption of vitamin A, you must increase your intake of proteins available in the form of greens and lean meat.
The Foods With the Highest Vitamin A Levels Are Listed As Followed:
1. Lean meat in the form of fish - ideally salmon. Organ meats such as beef liver are crammed with vitamin A.
However, they also have the tendencies of increasing your cholesterol levels which is why they must be consumed in small amounts.
2. Fruits such as mangos, apricots and others are rich in Vitamin A which deoxidizes your body and prevents the growth of acne.
3. Fruits such as lemons, organges and grapefruit are rich in vitamin C which is a healthy way of hydrating your skin, thereby, eliminating excessive oil production that trigger acne growth.
4. Vibrant and bright green vegetables such as carrots, beans, peas, broccoli, cabbage and etc brim with natural doses of vitamin A.
5. This is an effective way of consuming the much needed protein, abstaining from the consumption of fats, weight watching and the best of all, preventing acne growth.
6. Dairy products such as eggs, milk and cheese are rich in Vitamin A.
Beta-carotene Drinks
One of the ways in which you can boost the intake of vitamin A in your body is through beta carotene acne treatments as I've said before.
Beta carotene is an effective anti-oxidant and prevents the growth of acne in your body like we discussed before.
An easy way in which you can increase your intake of beta carotene is through beta carotene drinks.
You can even enjoy it by drinking cod liver oil every morning.
As strange as it might taste, drinking cod liver oil in the start of the morning will allow your body to be nourished with plentiful amounts of vitamin A - which will be effective and helpful in keeping you active and acne-free throughout the day/week.
Other Treatments That Use Vitamin A for Acne
Supplements
Some other ways of increasing your intake of vitamin A is through supplements like antioxidant treatments.
These are strongest type of acne treatments that you can use (which don't need a prescription).
They are best for people who need more than simple face wash or benzoyl peroxide cream.
Antibiotics
There are several anti-bacterial products in the forms of creams and lotions that boast proactive Vitamin A components.
Some are prescriptions though unfortunately (which I personally avoid due to some bad experiences I've had).
Using these products on your skin can actually prevent the bacterial accumulation under your skin that leads to acne growth - or make everything worse (it's hard to tell without trying them).
Some of these products even contain Vitamin E which effectively soothes skin irritation, prevents oil production and thereby, eliminates the chances of acne growth.
What’s the catch?
Well, it is pretty simple.
You get rid of acne and oily skin.
You improve your eating habits.
You prevent the threat of different types of diseases from occurring in your body.
And you want to know the best part?
You get your skin cleared (obviously).
Just follow the guide and you will notice results within a week to a few days.