MDacne
What is cystic acne?
Cystic acne is one of the severe acne forms marked by large, deep pimples that are often painful and take a long time to heal. A pimple forms when your pores get clogged with oil, bacteria, or dead skin cells. A cystic pimple occurs deep in your skin, creating a pus-filled bump.
These stubborn inflammatory nodules are hard to drain--please, never try to pop them!--and may leave marks or scars on your skin. In addition, cystic acne breakouts can last for a long time, and the products you use to take care of a typical pimple might not cut it. This is why cystic acne needs to be treated and treated correctly.
What causes cystic acne?
It's hard to pinpoint what causes cystic acne. Too much dairy, sugar, or caffeine in your diet could be a factor. However, a diet low in certain nutrients needed to fight bacteria might make your skin more prone to cystic acne. Supplements are a great way to provide your body with the right vitamins and minerals to keep your skin clear and healthy. DIM, Vitamin B5, Vitamin A, and Zinc supplements are good options for people who struggle with cystic acne.
What is the best oral treatment for cystic acne?
The best treatment for severe cystic acne is Accutane (isotretinoin). People who want or can not take Accutane can benefit from oral antibiotics or a combination of medicated topical treatment and acne supplements.
What is the best topical treatment for cystic acne?
The American Academy of Dermatology regards benzoyl peroxide as the most effective anti-acne ingredient. However, multiple different types of benzoyl peroxide differ in their efficacy and side effects. The MDacne products use a proprietary formulation of micronized benzoyl peroxide that is more effective and less irritating than other benzoyl peroxide types in OTC and even prescription products. MDacne's proprietary benzoyl peroxide treatment cream contains natural, plant-based boosters with anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects of increasing anti-acne efficacy while minimizing irritation. Other topical treatment options for people with cystic acne include salicylic acid and skincare creams containing niacinamide.
What are the best supplements for cystic acne?
Supplements are a great natural alternative if you're looking to fight cystic acne without resorting to prescription medications. In addition, taking acne supplements is an excellent addition to topical acne treatment. Good anti-acne topical treatment will help heal acne from the outside, while acne supplements will help from the inside out.
To be effective, good acne supplements should also help with overall health and stress. Better overall health, reduced stress, and a better immune system will also benefit skin health and help reduce acne faster.
Supplementation with vitamins and minerals can help balance acne-causing hormones, leading to clearer, healthier skin. Accutane or other anti-acne oral medications may produce visible results faster, but adverse reactions from vitamins are far less likely.
Women with adult and hormonal acne can benefit from DIM supplements. DIM supplements can be combined with an anti-acne topical treatment and other hormonal acne treatments, such as birth control pills.
What is DIM?
Several success stories about the DIM supplements fighting cystic acne have surfaced recently. Let's start with the basics. DIM, or diindolylmethane, is a natural substance generated in the body when it breaks down indole-3-carbinol, a compound found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale, and brussels sprouts.
Hormonal acne breakouts typically occur around the chin and jawline. DIM supplements can decrease hormonal breakouts by helping to balance hormones. For example, DIM improves estrogen breakdown, which supports detoxification in the liver, and, as an androgen antagonist, prevents certain androgens from binding to their receptors. When androgens (like testosterone) bind to receptors, it can increase oil production in the skin and other changes that can cause acne.
This mechanism is similar to spironolactone, a cardiovascular drug often prescribed to treat acne. The typical recommended starting dosage is 75 to 100mg daily, although good results beginning at 200 mg daily have been reported. Again, it's essential to consult with your doctor regarding the dosage.
By improving hormonal balance, DIM supplements can help reduce both PMS and menopausal hormone-related symptoms. In addition, by changing the ratio between "good" and "bad" estrogen and testosterone, DIM can improve sleep and reduce stress, promoting healthier habits and increased energy levels.
Research shows that DIM supplements can help reduce the buildup of new fat cells and the fat accumulation in existing fat cells. The DIM-induced increase in "good" estrogen metabolites may also help protect stressed muscle cells, allowing more efficient repair and growth. In addition, a recent study from UC Berkeley has suggested that DIM is a powerful natural immune system booster. This study has shown that DIM increased the protein levels (cytokines) and cells (lymphocytes) involved in the immune response to external threats.
Best DIM Supplements for cystic acne in adult Females
MDacne DIM Skin Clearing Supplements
The MDacne DIM skin-clearing supplements were specially formulated for women with adult hormonal acne. Its formula combines DIM with other natural ingredients such as spinach powder, which helps reduce excess sebum, and kale powder, which helps clear clogged pores and assists in skin cell regeneration. In addition to its effect on hormonal acne and adult acne, MDacne's DIM can enhance the immune system's function and help with additional symptoms, including premenstrual syndrome PMS, stress, and even hormonal-related weight gain.
BioResponse DIM 75
This supplement has a proprietary absorption-enhanced formula, ensuring the body properly absorbs DIM.
DIM-Evail
Designs for Health also has its own proprietary formula to improve the body's absorption of DIM. They add a blend of MCT oils, non-soy lecithin, and Vitamin E to their 100mg DIM microgels.
What are cystic acne supplements for teens and adult men?
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B5, aka pantothenic acid, is one of the more important eight complex B vitamins and is essential to our overall health. Vitamin B5 is water-soluble, and its primary function is metabolizing lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates into energy, a process called oxidation. This vitamin is linked to healthy hair, skin, and eyes and is widely used in cosmetics for its hydrating and healing properties.
Furthermore, Vitamin B5 helps synthesize Coenzyme A (CoA), essential in metabolizing fatty acids. CoA reduces excess oil secretion, so, in this way, pantothenic acid helps regulate the skin's sebum production, helping reduce acne breakouts. Vitamin B5 has also been shown to improve the skin's epidermal barrier function by maintaining keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, as shown in a 2011 study. Pantothenic acid also may help reduce stress by supporting the adrenal gland to produce stress-related hormones.
This may indirectly help fight cystic acne. One study found that taking a pantothenic acid supplement for 12 weeks "significantly reduced area-specific and inflammatory acne lesions." The study also found that adults well tolerate the supplement. There are no formal recommendations on what dosage of Vitamin B5 you should take--suggestions range from large doses of 2-4 grams a day to 250-500mg daily.
Vegetable capsules are a convenient way to take your Vitamin B5 supplements, as they are easy to swallow and leave no aftertaste.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an antioxidant found in oily fish, liver, carrots, cantaloupes, apricots, leafy greens, eggs, etc. As a potent antioxidant, it protects the skin from free radicals, environmental toxins that cause oxidative stress and can negatively affect the sebaceous glands. Vitamin A also slows down the shedding of dead skin cells. This is important because people with cystic acne often have an accelerated keratinization process: their pores shed more than the normal one layer of dead skin cells daily. This is referred to as retention hyperkeratosis. The excess cells build up in the pores, potentially clogging them and leading to breakouts. Vitamin A helps in reverse retention hyperkeratosis. Vitamin A also decreases inflammation and promotes new skin cell growth.
Isotretinoin, commonly known as the brand name Accutane, is a well-known treatment for severe acne and is a Vitamin A derivative. However, this medication is not well tolerated by everyone. Vitamin A supplements are an excellent natural alternative in treating cystic acne. However, it's still important to be careful of the dosage, as too much Vitamin A can be toxic.
Zinc
Zinc is beneficial in treating acne because it helps control excess sebum production. Reducing oil production reduces the chance of pores clogging up and creating blemishes. In addition, zinc reduces acne-causing bacteria and reduces inflammation in the follicles, supported by a 2013 review. Another study found that zinc may reduce cysts and is a promising alternative to other acne treatments due to its low cost, effectiveness, and lack of adverse side effects. Additionally, the absence of zinc itself may cause acne. Zinc is needed for collagen synthesis; without it, the skin can be more prone to clogged pores. Zinc also has antioxidant properties and can reduce the skin's inflammatory response to excess cells and bacteria clogging pores.
Best Vitamin Supplements for Cystic Acne in Teens and adult men
MDacne Skin Clearing Vitamins + Minerals
This complete formula combines Vitamin B5 with other vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A, Zinc, and Selenium to treat cystic acne from within. It helps minimize breakouts by unclogging skin pores, reducing inflammation, regulating sebum production, and promoting the shedding of acne-causing dead skin cells.
FAQs:
Q1. What is cystic acne?
A1. Cystic acne is a severe form of acne characterized by large, deep pimples that are often painful and slow to heal. These pimples develop when pores become clogged with oil, bacteria, or dead skin cells. Unlike regular acne, cystic acne occurs deep within the skin, forming pus-filled bumps.
Q2. What are the causes of cystic acne?
A2. The exact causes of cystic acne are difficult to pinpoint. However, certain factors, such as excessive intake of dairy, sugar, or caffeine in the diet, may contribute to its development. Additionally, a diet lacking essential nutrients needed to combat bacteria can make the skin more susceptible to cystic acne. Incorporating supplements into your routine, like DIM, Vitamin B5, Vitamin A, and Zinc, can provide the necessary vitamins and minerals to promote clear and healthy skin.
Q3. What is the most effective oral treatment for cystic acne?
A3. The best treatment for severe cystic acne is Accutane (isotretinoin). However, for individuals who prefer not to take Accutane, oral antibiotics or a combination of medicated topical treatments and acne supplements can be beneficial.
Q4. Which topical treatments work best for cystic acne?
A4. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, benzoyl peroxide is considered the most effective anti-acne ingredient in topical treatments. However, benzoyl peroxide formulations' efficacy and side effects can vary. MDacne products utilize a proprietary formulation of micronized benzoyl peroxide, which is more effective and less irritating than other types found in over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription products. Their benzoyl peroxide treatment cream also contains natural, plant-based boosters with anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects, enhancing its anti-acne efficacy while minimizing irritation. Other topical treatment options for cystic acne include salicylic acid and skincare creams containing niacinamide.
Q5. What are the recommended supplements for cystic acne?
A5. Supplements offer a natural alternative for combating cystic acne without prescription medications. When used with topical acne treatments, supplements can support overall skin health. Vitamins and minerals in supplements help balance acne-causing hormones, leading to clearer and healthier skin. While oral medications like Accutane may yield faster visible results, adverse reactions from supplements are much less likely. For women with adult and hormonal acne, DIM supplements can be beneficial. DIM, or diindolylmethane, is a natural substance derived from cruciferous vegetables. It helps balance hormones, improves estrogen breakdown, and acts as an androgen antagonist, preventing certain androgens from binding to their receptors and causing acne. DIM supplements can be combined with topical anti-acne and other hormonal acne treatments such as birth control pills.
Q6. What is DIM, and how does it help with cystic acne?
A6. DIM, or diindolylmethane, is a natural substance generated in the body when it breaks down indole-3-carbinol found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts. DIM supplements have shown success in fighting cystic acne by helping to balance hormones, particularly in cases of hormonal breakouts around the chin and jawline. By improving estrogen breakdown and acting as an androgen antagonist, DIM supports detoxification in the liver and prevents certain androgens, like testosterone, from binding to receptors. This helps reduce oil production and other acne-causing changes in the skin. DIM supplements offer similar benefits to spironolactone, a cardiovascular drug often prescribed to treat acne. Starting dosages for DIM typically range from 75 to 100mg daily, but some individuals report good results with a starting dosage of 200mg daily. It is important to consult with a doctor regarding the appropriate dosage.
Q7. What are the best DIM supplements for cystic acne in adult females?
A7. MDacne DIM Skin Clearing Supplements: Specially formulated for women with adult hormonal acne, these supplements combine DIM with other natural ingredients like spinach powder and kale powder. These additional ingredients help reduce excess sebum, clear clogged pores, promote skin cell regeneration, enhance the immune system's function, and alleviate symptoms such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), stress, and hormonal-related weight gain.
Q8. Which supplements are recommended for cystic acne in teens and adult men?
A8. When it comes to cystic acne in teens and adult men, two essential supplements have shown promising results:
1. Vitamin B5: Also known as pantothenic acid, Vitamin B5 is one of the essential B vitamins that contribute to overall health. It is vital in metabolizing lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates into energy. Vitamin B5 is linked to healthy hair, skin, and eyes and is often used in cosmetics for its hydrating and healing properties. Vitamin B5 helps regulate sebum production by reducing excess oil secretion, thereby aiding in controlling acne breakouts. It has also been shown to improve the skin's epidermal barrier function and potentially reduce stress by supporting the adrenal gland. While there are no formal dosage recommendations, suggested doses range from 250-500mg to larger doses of 2-4 grams daily.
2. Vitamin A: Vitamin A is a potent antioxidant in foods like oily fish, liver, carrots, cantaloupes, apricots, leafy greens, and eggs. It protects the skin from free radicals and slows down the shedding of dead skin cells. By reversing retention hyperkeratosis, where excess skin cells accumulate in the pores, Vitamin A helps prevent clogged pores and inflammation. It also promotes new skin cell growth and decreases inflammation. Vitamin A supplements serve as a natural alternative to isotretinoin (Accutane) for treating cystic acne. However, caution must be exercised to avoid excessive dosage, as too much Vitamin A can be toxic.
Q9. What role does zinc play in treating cystic acne?
A9. Zinc is beneficial in treating acne because it helps regulate excess sebum production. Reducing oil production minimizes the chances of clogged pores and subsequent blemishes. Zinc also exhibits anti-microbial properties, reducing acne-causing bacteria and helping decrease inflammation in the follicles. A 2013 review showed promising results regarding zinc's effectiveness in reducing cysts. Furthermore, zinc deficiency can lead to acne as it is required for collagen synthesis, and its absence can make the skin more prone to clogged pores. Zinc also possesses antioxidant properties and can reduce the skin's inflammatory response to excess cells and bacteria in the pores.
Q10. What vitamin supplements are recommended for cystic acne in teens and adult men?
A10. What are the supplements for cystic acne in teens and adult men?
MDacne Skin Clearing Vitamins + Minerals: This comprehensive formula combines Vitamin B5 with other vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, Zinc, and Selenium. These ingredients work together to minimize breakouts by unclogging pores, reducing inflammation, regulating sebum production, and promoting the shedding of acne-causing dead skin cells.
Shop:
MDacne's DIM Skin Clearing Supplements (Adult Women)
MDacne's Skin Clearing Vitamins + Minerals (Female and male teens and adult males)
References:
The clinical effects of zinc as a topical or oral agent on acne's clinical response and pathophysiologic mechanisms: a systematic literature review.
The role of zinc in treating acne: A review of the literature.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a novel pantothenic Acid-based dietary supplement in subjects with mild to moderate facial acne.
To find the right supplements for your unique skin, take the free skin assessment by clicking here.
