Food supplements: everything you need to know to fight acne

The use of dietary supplements to treat acne and other skin problems is fashionable, but requires certain precautions. Although certain supplements, such as Omega-3, zinc, vitamins, have positive effects on the skin, caution is still required to avoid any adverse effects. A balanced approach, combining a healthy diet and appropriate supplements, can be an effective strategy for healthy skin.

You can also combine this lifestyle with the Anti-Imperfections Routine offered by Nubiance to say goodbye to acne.

Presentation of dietary supplements for hormonal acne

Understanding dietary supplements against hormonal acne

Dietary supplements include components such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, plant extracts, amino acids, and other substances used to increase daily intake of dietary nutrients.

Maintaining good nutritional status by ensuring a balanced intake of micronutrients, macronutrients and other bioactive constituents is crucial for the health and appearance of the skin.

Influence of hormonal imbalances on skin health and the appearance of acne

Hormonal acne is a skin condition caused by hormonal fluctuations in the body. It usually occurs at certain stages of life when hormonal levels experience significant changes. The causes of hormonal acne are mainly androgen hormones, or male sex hormones, present in both men and women.

In adults, women are most affected, because their hormone production varies over time and life events. Among the periods that may have an impact, you can take into consideration:

• Before or during the menstrual cycle, due to sharp fluctuations in sex hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone levels

• During pregnancy, where hormonal levels undergo significant changes

• During menopause, major hormonal changes can sometimes make acne worse

Some women also experience PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), a specific condition that accelerates the production of androgen hormones and promotes acne symptoms. Stress also causes spots to appear due to the over-activation of cortisol, the stress hormone .

Understanding hormonal acne

Hormonal acne is the result of your hormones fluctuating. Although it mostly happens during adolescence, many women who never had dermatological problems during this period experience acne breakouts as adults. Although these inconveniences can occur during major hormonal upheavals, it is common for it to appear before your period or when you stop taking the pill .

Acne itself is the result of hypersecretion of sebum which clogs pores and creates an inflammatory reaction. This hypersecretion comes from hormones present mainly in menstruating people: progesterone and estrogen. It can also be the result of a surge in cortisol, the stress hormone.

This acne linked to a hormonal imbalance is mainly found on the chin and the lower part of the face. These are not necessarily blackheads or small white pimples, but rather painful and red cysts.

Food supplements for balanced skin

The roles of food supplements for healthy and balanced skin

Skin supplements work by providing essential nutrients to the body, which improves skin health:

• Antioxidants help protect skin from damage caused by free radicals, which can accelerate skin aging.

• Omega-3 fatty acids help maintain skin hydration, which can prevent dryness and wrinkles.

• Collagen supplements can increase collagen production in the body, which promotes skin firmness and elasticity.

The specific advantages of food supplements compared to traditional acne treatments

Food supplements are one of the treatments used to fight acne. They are easily available in pharmacies and can be consumed according to precise instructions. They work from the inside to regulate your hormones. The cost is also cheaper than other treatments. In addition, you can generally use them in addition to other treatments, with the specialist's agreement.

However, it is important to take care of your skin every day. Discover a 4-step beauty routine , carefully designed for acne-prone and/or blemish-prone skin. Our Nubiance product range includes treatments that help achieve smooth, healthy skin.

Follow these 4 steps morning and evening to get rid of your acne spots:

• Micelliance®: Micelliance® High Tolerance Micellar Water from Nubiance represents the first step in our anti-imperfection routine. Designed to gently erase impurities and traces of makeup, this product does not contain perfume, coloring or alcohol. Its complete makeup removing power treats the entire face, preparing your face for the next steps in our routine.
  
  
• Cleanactyl®: Cleanactyl® Soap-Free Facial Cleansing Gel cleanses your skin deeply, eliminating excess sebum responsible for skin imperfections. It is essential for any care routine for acne-prone black skin.

• Exfoclear®: Exfoclear® Soap-Free Exfoliating Gel is dedicated to the elimination of dead cells and the stimulation of cell renewal. With its gentle exfoliating action, this gel makes your skin smoother. Your complexion will be even more radiant.

• ACT-5®: ACT-5® Intense Anti-Blemish Treatment acts deeply to reduce the appearance of pimples and blackheads. The natural balance of your skin is preserved by its unique formula which does not dry out the epidermis. You can thus erase any acne-related imperfections on your black skin.

Also read: The different types of acne treatments .

The key ingredients of food supplements to fight hormonal acne

Vitamins and minerals

Zinc

Zinc is an important mineral for skin health. Medications containing zinc gluconate are marketed to treat acne breakouts.

Beer yeast

Rich in proteins, trace elements and B group vitamins, brewer's yeast is sometimes present in food supplements intended to relieve oily skin problems. Its nutritional qualities are no longer in doubt.

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)

Vitamin B5 is essential for energy production, transport of oxygen in the blood and synthesis of fatty acids. Applying a cream containing vitamin B5, combined with taking supplements of this vitamin, helps to relieve mild acne problems.

Plants and natural extracts

It has antiseptic, antifungal and healing action, and proves to be a real help against acne, blemishes, blackheads and marks on the skin. Propolis also stimulates the regeneration and growth of skin cells, allowing for better healing. Thus, propolis improves the appearance of skin prone to imperfections.

Turmeric

A spice widely used in Indian cuisine, turmeric is also a natural remedy used in many medicines for its anti-inflammatory properties. Indeed, curcumin is one of the most powerful antioxidants. Through its action, it provides good skin health, brightens the complexion and restores radiance to dull skin. This ingredient provides deep hydration, relieves dry skin, eliminates dead cells, but above all, it prevents or reduces acne inflammation.

nettle

This plant has anti-inflammatory properties that help fight acne by purifying the skin. Considered a depurative plant, nettle helps eliminate toxins from the epidermis.

Burdock

This plant is very relevant against acne and helps prevent the appearance of comedones and microcysts. It thus acts on inflammation of the body, bacterial proliferation, the accumulation of toxins and excess sebum .

The chaste tree

This plant is very often used for female hormonal problems, and will be very relevant in cases of hormonal acne. However, since it acts on the hormonal system, taking chasteberry must be carried out with caution and under the supervision of a doctor. You will have to wait several weeks to see the concrete effects.

Essential fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oils and flaxseed, are also beneficial for the skin. They reduce inflammation and improve the function of the skin barrier , thus limiting the penetration of bacteria and impurities.

Evening primrose oil is very rich in essential fatty acids (omega 3 and 6), it has anti-acne properties. Indeed, its anti-inflammatory properties help treat skin problems. There is evening primrose oil in the form of capsules, which are very practical to take as a treatment.

Learn more with our article on vegetables that are good for your skin .

Use and practical advice

Recommendations for use

It is important to respect the recommended doses and not exceed the ingestion recommendations, as overconsumption of certain nutrients can lead to adverse effects.

It is also essential to be regular and take your food supplements against hormonal acne at set times. Like any medicinal treatment, food supplements require regularity.

Optimizing the effects of dietary supplements with other treatments

You should avoid combining treatments or consuming acne supplements with medications to avoid unwanted effects. If in doubt, seek advice from a healthcare professional.

Topical treatments and antibiotics can be taken in combination with food supplements. Your dermatologist can confirm this when prescribing.

Concerning your contraception which largely influences hormonal acne, it is best to seek advice from your gynecologist.

Precautions and Warnings

When taking acne supplements , it is essential to take certain precautions to ensure their safe and effective use. Firstly, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement, with the aim of assessing individual needs and avoiding the risk of drug interactions. Additionally, the quality of dietary supplements varies, so it is best to choose products from reputable brands and purchase from reliable sources.

It is also important to remember that dietary supplements should not replace a balanced diet. A varied diet rich in nutrients from natural food sources remains the best approach to ensuring good health.

Finally, any adverse symptoms or side effects should be reported to a healthcare professional, and use of the supplements should be discontinued if health problems arise.

Also consult our article on the role of the dermatologist in the fight against acne on black skin .