Can I Get Adequate Zinc From My Diet
There are quite a few food products that are rich in zinc. For example, a full serving of oysters may provide 74 mg of zinc, which is more than enough zinc for the day. However, most servings of everyday food only provide a few milligrams of zinc. You can check out this fact sheet by the National Institutes of Health for more details regarding dietary zinc.
Should You Use Zinc For Acne
As weve discussed, zinc is beneficial to overall health. Because it has such potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, it can help fight inflammatory skin conditions like acne and reduce the pain and appearance of blemishes.
Before starting any kind of zinc therapy, you should talk to a functional dermatologist to decide if zinc supplementation is right for you. Together, you can examine, diet, lifestyle, and skin to find the best supplement options and discover the root causes of your breakouts.
Facts You Must Know Before Using Zinc For Acne
If you’re asking yourself “Is zinc really good for acne?”, you came to the right place! Its natural to be a bit skeptical of natural remedies like supplements and vitamins, but zinc therapy in dermatology needs no introduction. Research shows the benefits of zinc for skin and its effectiveness to treat acne vulgaris. It’s not a cure-all for pimples , but its definitely worth your consideration because zinc really can help. But should you be using zincas a topical on your face, or taking zinc as a supplement? And what else can you do, besides taking zinc, to get control of your acne? Here’s what you should know before you start using zinc.
Bacteria called p. acnes are involved in the formation of acne, but theyre not all bad. Most strains always live on the surface of our skin and are called commensals, which are helpful microbes living in or on our bodies. Their main energy source is the oil our skin produces, which means they may help manage acne by preventing the oil buildup associated with pimples.
However, not all strains of p. acnes are good. Once certain types get trapped in a pore or follicle, they start to multiply until they create a minor infection. Infection stimulates an immune response, and this is where zinc therapy shines.
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Try A Zinc Supplement
Your doctor may recommend zinc supplements, but only if you dont get enough from your diet. For example, certain conditions, such as Crohns disease, could limit zinc absorption from foods.
You should only take zinc or other supplements under your doctors supervision. Supplementation wont be helpful if you arent deficient, and getting more zinc than you need can lead to unpleasant side effects.
Zinc is available OTC on its own or combined with other minerals, such as calcium. Its also in some multivitamins.
Zinc may be labeled as one of the following:
, there isnt one form thats known to be better than the others. The key is to make sure youre not taking multiple products with more than one type of zinc this could lead to an overdose.
Are There Any Risks To Taking Zinc Supplements
Zinc is a super important micronutrient, but you *can* have too much of a good thing. Remember: You shouldnt consume more than 40 milligrams per day.
Too much zinc could lead to:
- an upset stomach
Zinc creams and gels wont fix a zinc deficiency, but they can help soothe breakouts.
Research suggests that topical meds with 5 percent zinc sulfate are effective against mild to moderate acne.
Heads-up: You should always do a patch test before slathering a new product all over your breakout.
Heres how to use zinc topicals:
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Antioxidant Vitamins: Vitamin A And E
Vitamin A and E are both fat-soluble antioxidant vitamins that can protect against free radical damage and the inflammatory process that contributes to acne. Low blood levels of these nutrients have been found in individuals with acne when compared to control groups. Vitamin A and E supplementation may regulate keratinization, and research suggests these vitamins have a synergistic effect, meaning that they may be more effective when combined.
When To Take Zinc For Acne
Unlike certain nutrients, zinc is quickly flushed out of the body and needs to be consumed on a frequent basis.
For this reason, I take zinc every day, and generally on an empty stomach. One study found that roughly 65% of a zinc supplement was absorbed in fasted individuals, versus only 33% when consumed with foodhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3724376/.
For some people this can cause discomfort, so feel free to take zinc with food if this the case. If you do need to take zinc with food, try to take zinc outside of meals that are high in phytates .
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Zinc Pyrithione Side Effects
There are no common side effects associated with zinc pyrithione . But that doesnt mean it cant negatively impact your skin. Were all different, and theres never a one-size-fits-all skincare product. Here are a few things to watch out for:
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Burning or stinging eyes, mouth, and nose. If products containing zinc pyrithione get into your eyes, mouth, or nose, it may burn or sting.
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Irritation on the skin. Some people have more sensitive skin than others. Using topical products with this ingredient can cause skin irritation with symptoms like dryness or redness at the skins surface.
If you experience any of these side effects, speak up! Talk to your Curology dermatology provider or a skincare professional. If any of these side effects do not go away, seek attention from your healthcare provider.
Curious about other acne-fighting ingredients? Weve got you covered! Curologys team of dermatology experts can help you understand your skin. Check out our guides on clindamycin, azelaic acid, and tretinoin. Need info on how to deal with body acne? Weve got you covered there as well.
How Does Zinc Clear Acne
Zinc is a natural anti-inflammatory and antiaging agent. It is also a powerful antioxidant. ZINC is found in the skin, hair, nails, and eyes. ZINON is an essential mineral that helps to protect the body from free radicals and free radical damage. Free radicals are harmful molecules that damage DNA and cause damage to cells. They are also known as free-radical damage, free electron damage and oxidative damage. Free-radicals are the most common cause of skin cancer. The skin is made up of many different types of cells, including keratinocytes, melanocytes and epidermal cells . Zins are made of a group of proteins called zinc-finger proteins. These proteins are responsible for the formation of protective layers of keratocytes and melanin that protect against free oxygen and other free energy-producing molecules. In addition, zinc helps the cells to produce more of these proteins, which in turn helps them to survive.ZINC helps in preventing the growth of acne, as well as the development of new skin lesions. This is because ZINS are able to prevent the production of free reactive oxygen species which can damage the DNA of healthy cells and lead to cancerous growths. When the zinc is removed from the surface of your skin it is absorbed into the bloodstream and is converted into vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for normal cell growth and development. As a result, it helps prevent skin damage caused by free ROS.
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Risks And Side Effects
While you can begin by tackling hormonal acne on your own at home, you may want to visit a dermatologist if your condition is reoccurring or worsening. Your doctor/dermatologist can help pinpoint any underlying conditions that might be contributing to our breakouts, such as PCOS, high testosterone or cortisol levels, a thyroid condition, or another hormone issue.
If the treatments above dont seem to be doing enough to reduce your breakouts, speak with your dermatologist about other options such as antiandrogen drugs, which block androgen receptors to decrease the actions and effects of testosterone, or stronger topical prescriptions to fight acne-causing bacteria.
When treating hormonal acne yourself, theres potential to experience some side effects depending on the specific products and treatments you use. Some topical products might cause dry, red, flaky, painful skin at first, so make sure to follow directions, and remember that less may be more when it comes to improving your skins appearance.
If you have sensitive skin, such as eczema, dermatitis or rosacea, some products, such as retinoids and certain cleaners, may be too harsh. Certain products are also not safe when youre pregnant, so get your doctors advice if this applies to you.
Zinc For Acne: Does It Work And How Much Should You Take
Acne vulgaris may seem like a never-ending battle against nature. Whether its hormonal acne, cystic acne, seasonal, stress-induced, or just plain genetics, some of us spend years fighting pimples. If youre battling breakouts, you may want to consider zinc for acne.
Zinc has been used in the treatment of acne for centuries. Lets take a look at why this mineral is so popular. Well unpack whether it works, the types of zinc treatments available, and dosages.
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How Much Zinc Per Day For Acne
The correct zinc dosage for acne is essential, as taking too much of any vitamin or mineral can be detrimental to ones health. CEO and founder of Amber Moon, Erum N. Ilyas , walks us through the correct way to does a zinc supplement:
The dosage of zinc for the treatment of acne has been found to be zinc sulfate in a dosage range of 400 to 600 mg by mouth daily or 90 to 150 mg of ionized zinc daily. Please note this is well in excess of the daily recommended dosage of 8 to 11 mg of zinc. Zinc for Acne by Puritans Pride is a supplement that I tend to recommend because it contains zinc along with other vitamins that have been shown to benefit acne. Please note that this supplement contains 50 mg of Zinc gluconate which is better absorbed than zinc sulfate.
Can You Take Too Much Zinc?
Indeed, one can consume too much of this good thing and start to experience some adverse effects. Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and headaches can be a sign of excess zinc. Stomach cramps and eventual diarrhea are also common.
Should you start to experience any of the above when taking zinc, consider reducing your dosage or stopping altogether until your symptoms clear up. You can then start again at a more mild dose, and build it up to learn your tolerance.
How Long Does Zinc Take to Clear Acne
As Dr. Patel explained to us earlier, using a topical zinc twice a day should show a decrease in acne within 2 weeks. When taken orally there should be a visible difference in about 4 weeks.
What About Zinc Creams
The only study that compared zinc sulfate cream to placebo cream showed no difference in results. A handful of studies have also explored whether adding zinc to antibiotic creams improves results. While there is slight evidence that topical zinc may reduce sebum production, most of these studies have shown no benefit. In the light of these results, there is limited reason to use topical zinc for acne treatment at this time when plenty of other options are available.
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Can Vitamins Help Hormonal Acne
Yes, vitamins can help hormonal acne by acting as antioxidants, reducing inflammation, and supporting healthy hormone balance. The best vitamins for acne are vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and a B complex. You can find many of these nutrients in food, but taking supplements can ensure you’re getting enough.
Adult Acne: How To Get Rid Of Hormonal Acne Naturally
If youre someone who suffers from hormonal acne, chances are youve tried numerous home remedies for acne but may not be getting the results you hoped for. Thats likely because this type of acne can be complicated to treat, considering it occurs for reasons beyond having clogged pores, which is often the case with other forms of acne.
How can you stop hormonal acne? One of the first steps is working on balancing your hormones, such as by eating a nourishing diet, managing stress and getting enough sleep.
The next layer in your treatment plan is using the right types of cleansers and topical products. That means those that help clean and soothe your irritated skin without worsening symptoms.
The good news? Youre not alone if youve developed adult-onset acne, since this affects most people at one point in their lives or another based on a variety of factors.
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How Does It Work
Zinc can help fight viruses and bacteria. Although most people get the zinc they need through their diet, some people may find temporary supplementation beneficial. For example, zinc supplements are often marketed as a way to prevent colds or shorten illnesses.
Zinc also has anti-inflammatory properties. This may help relieve some of the redness and irritation associated with moderate-to-severe acne. It may even help reduce the appearance of acne scars.
Zinc has also been used for other inflammatory skin conditions, including:
earlier study found oral zinc was effective for people with mild acne, too. In either case, oral supplementation came with side effects like nausea and vomiting.
Topical application carries less side effects, but it isnt considered to be as effective as oral supplementation. But that doesnt mean its completely ineffective.
In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, topical zinc may help clear acne-causing bacteria from the skin and reduce oil production.
The form you use ultimately depends on the severity of your acne, your skin type, and your current dietary habits. Your doctor or dermatologist can help determine the right type of zinc for you.
Top 5 Supplements For Hormonal Acne
Whilst oily skin and breakouts are a commonly accepted part of your teenage years, acne that persists into your 20s and 30s can feel like you drew the short straw of adulthood.
Acne that continues after adolescence, flares up in the week before your period or decides to grace you with its presence after you come off hormonal birth control is a sign of a hormonal imbalance. My own journey with hormonal acne throughout my 20s means that when a woman approaches me for advice on hormonal acne, I treat the case very seriously. I fully understand the confidence-crushing effect that adult acne creates.
Cant see the image? .
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Learn More With Overcoming Estrogen Dominance
The body has an amazing ability to heal. We just need to give it the right resources.
In Overcoming Estrogen Dominance, my goal is to empower and give you the tools to take control of your hormones and health.
More than 70% of women experience estrogen dominance. The symptoms range from lumpy and fibrocystic breasts to thyroid nodules, hot flashes, fibroids, uterine polyps, painful, heavy or irregular periods to infertility and miscarriages, from mood swings to insomnia, weight gain to fatigue.
So many women have experienced the pain and frustration that comes when they feel their symptoms and complaints are dismissed or minimized. This is particularly true for women who are experiencing the symptoms of hormone imbalance. Even when doctors do offer treatment, its typically in the form of prescription medication or invasive surgical procedures.
In Overcoming Estrogen Dominance, I hope to show that those extreme interventions are often unnecessary, and to give women a roadmap to reverse estrogen dominance using food, herbs, supplements and natural protocols to rebalance hormones.
To get your copy of Overcoming Estrogen Dominance, go here.
What Dose Should I Take
The optimal dosage of zinc for acne is yet to be established. However, several studies with good results have used 30 mg of elemental zinc daily.
Be sure to note that the amount of elemental zinc is NOT the same as the amount of bound zinc in the supplement. For example, a supplement containing 200mg of zinc gluconate does not contain 200 mg of elemental zinc.
Most labels will indicate the amount of elemental zinc, so you just have to be careful not to confuse the different amounts. Here is a table of common formulations to guide you on how much zinc you are actually taking:
| Formulation |
| 30% |
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Putting It All Together
Lets briefly go over what we covered in this article:
- Zinc is an essential nutrient needed for everything from DNA synthesis to digestion.
- Zinc helps stop several of the root causes of acne. It regulates the skin-shedding process, reduces inflammation, makes vitamin A more effective, aids the digestive system, and even improves sleep.
- Several studies have shown that supplementing with zinc can be an extremely effective, natural way to treat acne.
- Our bodies are unable to produce zinc by themselves, we have to get it through food.
- Unfortunately, most plant-based foods that are high in zinc also contain phytates, which prevent zinc from being absorbed.
- Animal foods high in zinc include oysters, lamb, beef, and shrimp.
- Unless youre eating a diet low in phytates and rich in meat, you may want to consider supplementing with zinc.
- 30-60mg per day of high-quality zinc picolinate may be effective at treating acne in zinc-deficient individuals.
Have you tried using zinc for acne before? How did it go? Do you have any questions? Drop them in the comments below and Ill do my best to answer them!