Acne is the bane of many teenagers, but it can occur at any age. The troublesome skin condition is caused by an overproduction of oil in the skin, an accumulation of dead skin cells and a buildup of bacteria. Major risk factors for acne include hormonal changes, greasy or oily substances on the skin and family history. Vitamins may play a small role in the condition.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 is an essential nutrient that's found in most animal foods, but the body doesn't require much of it. B-12 is used by the body's nerve cells and works with folate and vitamin B-6 to lower levels of a chemical in the blood, homocysteine, that might contribute to heart disease. New York University's Langone Medical Center reports that in some cases, "very high doses of vitamin B-12 can cause or worsen acne symptoms." Adults need only 2.4 mcg of B-12 a day.
Iodine-containing Vitamins
The University of California San Diego Student Health Service warns students that iodized salt, shellfish and iodine-containing vitamins can occasionally aggravate acne. The thyroid gland uses iodine to make hormones, and if you don't get enough iodine, the thyroid gland may enlarge --- a condition called goiter. Iodine deficiencies may also lead to infertility problems and increase the risk of some cancers. Iodine is added to some multivitamins, so check for it on the label.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a vitamin that can be good for the skin in moderate amounts, but it can be toxic in high doses. Check with your doctor before taking more than the recommended amounts. Many acne products contain retinoids, which are a synthetic form of vitamin A. These topical and oral treatments can help clear up severe acne and have been used for treating other skin conditions, such as psoriasis, rosacea, warts and premature aging from the sun. Few studies have been done on vitamin A itself and its effect on acne.
Acne Aggravators
If you're worried about acne, there are factors besides vitamins that pose a much greater risk of aggravating the skin condition. Don't use harsh cleansers or scrub acne-prone areas too harshly. The skin irritation can worsen acne. Don't pick or squeeze pimples. That can aggravate the condition and cause infection or scarring. Keep hair, hands, tight clothing, hats and telephone receivers away from your face. The sweat, oils and dirt can aggravate acne.
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