Can vitamin A work like accutane?

Author: Jasper Sipes Jr.  |  Last update: Monday, December 22, 2025

Both Accutane and oral Vitamin A work in similar ways to treat acne. They are both converted to retinoic acid in the body, which then acts on skin cells. This action leads to several beneficial effects: Reduction in oil production.

Can I just take vitamin A instead of Accutane?

No. Vitamin A is toxic at high levels, and the side effects of Accutane are pretty similar to the symptoms you experience from Vitamin A toxicity. You also have mild acne, Accutane is only used as a last resort for treatment resistant acne.

Is there a prescription vitamin A for acne?

Retinol and Retin-A (tretinoin) are both retinoids — topical forms of vitamin A. Retinol is a common over-the-counter (OTC) ingredient in acne and anti-aging products. Retin-A is a prescription-only acne treatment, but it's used off-label for anti-aging effects, too. Retinol and Retin-A work the same way to treat acne.

How many IU vitamin A for acne?

Results: We identified 9 studies (8 clinical trials and one case report); acne improved in 8 studies. Dosages ranged from 36,000IU daily to 500,000IU with 100,000IU as the most common. Mean duration until clinical improvement was 7 weeks to four months after initiation of therapy.

Is it OK to take 10000 IU of vitamin A?

For adults, 19 and older, the tolerable upper limit for vitamin A is 10,000 IU per day. Talk to your doctor before taking any dose close to that amount. People who have liver disease or diabetes should not take vitamin A supplements without their doctor's supervision.

Vitamin A for acne - an alternative to Accutane

How much vitamin A is needed to clear skin?

Dietary Intake Recommendations

The recommended daily intake of vitamin A for women is 700 micrograms, and for men, it's 900 micrograms. Most people can get this amount from the foods they eat. As noted, MINDBODYSKIN offers a daily dose of 6,110 micrograms of vitamin A—the sweet spot for treating acne.

What are the alternatives to Accutane?

Isotretinoin is a type of retinoid, but it's not the only one used to treat acne. Others include tretinoin (Retin-A), tazarotene (Tazorac), adapalene (Differin), and trifarotene (Aklief).

What is the best vitamin to clear acne?

Yes, vitamins can help hormonal acne by acting as antioxidants, reducing inflammation, and supporting healthy hormone balance. The best vitamins for acne are vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and a B complex. You can find many of these nutrients in food, but taking supplements can ensure you're getting enough.

Can I apply vitamin A capsule on my face?

Yes, it is absolutely safe to use vitamin E capsules on the skin. They can be broken open and applied directly to the skin. Since it makes the skin oily, it is not prefered for people with oily skin types. Dry skin individuals can greatly benefit from the vitamin E capsules even when left overnight.

How long does vitamin A take to work?

However, it may be possible to notice benefits almost immediately after you start supplementing with this vitamin. Consistency is key and our research recommends taking your Feel supplements for at least 3 months to allow your body to adjust and provide the desired benefits.

Is vitamin C or vitamin A better for acne?

Both are beneficial – vitamin A regulates sebum production while vitamin C protects skin through its antioxidant effects. They work synergistically so combining both alongside other acne-fighting compounds like zinc creates an optimal supplement regimen for clear skin.

How long does it take for vitamins to clear acne?

After four weeks, there was a significant decrease in the number of papules, pustules, and infiltrates in the zinc-treated groups. The effect of zinc plus vitamin A was not better than zinc alone. After 12 weeks of treatment, the mean acne score had decreased from 100% to 15%.

What is the strongest acne medication?

Isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is a treatment for severe acne that comes in capsules. It has a number of beneficial effects: it helps normalise sebum and reduce how much is produced.

Is Accutane worth the risk?

The risk of developing severe side effects is very low – with only 1 in 500 patients experiencing serious adverse events – and the potential benefits of the treatment are very high, especially for those who have found that no other treatments are effective.

How long does Accutane purge last?

The Accutane Purge

Usually, this occurs within the first month of using Accutane, and it may last several weeks. After the initial flare-up, your symptoms should subside, and your skin should begin to clear up considerably. If you experience an Accutane purge, call your dermatologist to discuss it.

What does B12 acne look like?

High-dose vitamins B6 and B12 have also been linked to rosacea fulminans, a condition that looks like acne. Rosacea is marked by large red bumps and pustules that typically appear on the nose, chin, and/or cheeks.

What helps hormonal acne?

Oral Medication
  • Antibiotics — Oral antibiotics work to treat acne by killing off the bacteria that are irritating your skin and triggering breakouts.
  • Hormone Supplements — Oral contraceptives, like birth control pills, help to level out your hormonal balances to improve acne breakouts.

How to get clear skin?

Follow these tips for gentle skin care:
  1. Limit bath time. Some experts say it's ideal to bathe for no longer than five minutes at a time. ...
  2. Don't use strong soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from the skin. ...
  3. Shave carefully. ...
  4. Pat dry. ...
  5. Moisturize dry skin.

Can vitamin A help acne?

In addition, vitamin A can regulate skin tone and reduce the red, purple and brown colouring that acne can leave on the skin. It can also reduce the size and productivity of your oil glands, meaning that your skin produces less acne-causing oil.

Why is Accutane no longer available?

Isotretinoin by any other name is still Isotretinoin

Although the name is still widely recognized, Accutane was discontinued in 2009 due to lawsuits over side effects and diminishing market share due to the availability of the many generic versions of the drug.

Does Accutane cause weight gain?

No. There's no evidence that Accutane directly causes weight gain. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for evaluating prescription drugs to make sure they're safe and effective. They also look at study data to determine possible side effects of medications.

Is there a natural alternative to Accutane?

Large doses of vitamin A have been found to be effective for the treatment of acne vulgaris. It has been found to be effective in patients who are nonresponsive to other natural treatments. The mechanism of action may be similar to isotretinoin, which is a precursor of vitamin A.

Can I just put vitamin A on my face?

Applying non-prescription vitamin A (retinol) serum to the skin improves skin smoothness and wrinkles in females with sun-damaged skin. It might work as well as the prescription products that are approved by the FDA for treating skin wrinkles, such as tretinoin (Renova).

Can too much vitamin A cause acne?

Large doses of oral vitamin A supplements don't appear to affect acne.

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