Vitamins can give your face its glow back. Even acne scars can be treated by adding a healthy ingredient to your diet.
Unfortunately, even treated acne has the potential to leave a scar. But there are vitamins that can give your face the shine it lacks. As acne scars occur under the top layer of the skin, vitamins offer an opportunity to heal scars from the inside out. However, not all vitamins are equal in this endeavor.
These are the three most effective vitamins for preventing and fading acne scars:
Vitamin C
Vitamin C forms extra bonds between the collagen fibers that form as acne heals, making the skin stronger. As it helps your skin produce collagen, Vitamin C also develops new blood vessels to help transport nutrients to wounds for faster and better healing.
Unfortunately, the body does not produce vitamin C on its own, you need to get it through diet, or supplements. However, once this vitamin is in your body, it is able to do miracles for your skin.
Vitamin C helps treat acne scars both under the skin and on the surface. The skin’s surface (its upper layer) contains high levels of vitamin C, which plays an essential role in protecting it and producing new skin. The anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin C also help reduce redness and swelling.
Zinc
Zinc is useful in fighting acne. Research has shown that people who struggle with severe acne flare-ups tend to have a zinc deficiency. Zinc also helps heal scars left over from a particularly bad acne flare-up. As an antioxidant, zinc reduces the skin’s inflammatory response to dirt, oiliness, and dead cells, helping to keep pores clean.
Zinc also helps the proteins in the body convert vitamin A (another powerful vitamin that fights acne and wound healing) into retinol. Retinol helps repair scars by stimulating collagen growth and speeding up the cell cycle.
Zinc is one of the most widely researched vitamins and minerals for the treatment of acne, and not unjustly so. Research has shown that zinc supplements reduce both bacterial and inflammatory forms of acne. And unlike some acne treatments, zinc is safe for both dark and light skin, including more sensitive skin.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an antioxidant, which prevents cell damage caused by free radicals. As an antioxidant, it reduces skin inflammation and skin oil production. It promotes the growth of skin cells for faster healing of scars and gives the skin a smoother, more uniform appearance.
Vitamin A helps in the formation of new blood vessels and connective tissue, making it vital for proper wound healing. Studies have shown that vitamin A deficiencies are associated with inflamed skin and its reduced ability to rejuvenate the upper layer, making scarring more difficult to heal.
So, add these vital vitamins to your diet to make your face glow!