Using Vitamin A as your ally in the fight against adult acne

Even though the Tiffani Kim Institute Medical Wellness Spa, like others that sell cosmetics, offers acne-fighting products, I'm a big believer in using natural remedies whenever you can. That's why I am a HUGE advocate of Vitamin A and its pimple-fighting principles.

Accutane, a product frequently prescribed to fight acne, is a synthetic derivative of Vitamin A. That's why many patients suffer the side effects. But Vitamin A in its natural form helps with skin cell turnover--it keeps pores from clogging, which can lead to pimples in the first place--and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Most of all, it will help inhibit oil production, which can lead to flare-ups and breakouts.

Two other main culprits? Hormones and stress. Stress can increase oil production--and when your body is under attack, the results have to show up somewhere! Unfortunately for us women, it often shows in our skin in the form of breakouts and pimples.

Because many women don't get enough Vitamin A solely through their diets, supplements often help solve the problem. But as is true before taking ANY supplements, it's critical that you consult with your doctor first. Just like other vitamins and minerals, Vitamin A levels can be toxic if taken at too high a level and not monitored by a health professional.

You'll find that Vitamin A is usually contained in the multivitamins we take, with a Daily Value of 5,000 IU (International Units) generally included in the vitamin mix. Food-wise, you'll find it naturally in carrots, egg yolks, raw whole milk, butter and liver. But it's important to check with your doctor to make sure your body's ability to absorb proper amounts of Vitamin A from food is functioning properly.

We all know there's no such thing as a perfect cure-all. But Vitamin A offers just another way to fight frustrating acne naturally, without resorting to drugs. If you're prone to acne breakouts, it might be worth giving this natural remedy a try.