Vitamin A helps skin repair itself so that dead skin cells turn over less (a.k.a. slows down cell turnover), often leading to less clogged pores. There are also secondary effects, such as reduced inflammation and reduced androgens in the skin, which can also contribute to clogged pores.
Unfortunately, these vitamin A sources are also acne-triggering, due to their high levels of iodine and androgen (testosterone) stimulating side effects.
Biotin (Vitamin B7)
Instead, Biotin is known to increase clogged pores, create deficiencies in Pantothenic Acid (which helps our skin clear), and is a key nutrient for acne bacteria. You can take a deeper dive into Biotin and why it may be triggering your acne here.
Consuming too much vitamin A causes hair loss, cracked lips, dry skin, weakened bones, headaches, elevations of blood calcium levels, and an uncommon disorder characterized by increased pressure within the skull called idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
Taking more than 3,000 mcg a day of oral vitamin A supplements long term can cause: Bone thinning. Liver damage. Headache.
Chronic hypervitaminosis A usually arises several months to many years after taking high levels of vitamin A (generally 10 times the RDA) and is marked by dry skin, dermatitis, cheilitis, gingivitis, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, mental dullness, headaches, depression, and liver test abnormalities.
Clogged pores can be the result of your glands producing too much oil. More oil on your skin increases the risk of clogged pores. But lots of other things can lead to enlarged pores, including age, skin products, hair follicles and sun damage. So enlarged pores don't always lead to clogged pores.
Topical vitamin A is a great choice for an oily skin type because it helps manage sebum production and can reduce the appearance of pore size. Those with oily skin should use a moisturizing lotion after topical retinol.
Niacinamide For Pores
Add a Niacinamide serum (also known as Vitamin B3) into your routine. Research shows as little as 2% topical Niacinamide can result in a 'significant reduction in sebum excretion rate and pore size'. Anecdotally, people often say using a Niacinamide serum 'shrinks' their pores.
How do I know if I'm purging or having a reaction? Vitamin A increases your natural cell turnover, so when you first start using it, your skin may go through a sensitive phase while it purges dead cells and other build up. You may notice some mild redness and flaking, or even tiny pink pimples.
Prescription creams and pills containing retinoids, a synthetic form of vitamin A, are used to help clear up severe acne and psoriasis. They have also shown promise for treating other skin disorders, warts, and premature aging from the sun.
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.
Cleanse daily: Yup, one of the best things for clogged pores is simply washing your face! Cleansing your skin can help get the pore-clogging gunk out, especially if you're using the right cleansers. In the morning, use a water-based cleanser to visibly remove dirt and impurities.
When taken by mouth: Vitamin A is likely safe when taken in amounts less than 10,000 units (3,000 mcg) daily. Vitamin A is available in two forms: pre-formed vitamin A (retinol or retinyl ester) and provitamin A (carotenoids). The maximum daily dose relates to only pre-formed vitamin A.
Prevents clogged pores: Topical vitamin A derivatives help keep pores unclogged and have been found to be beneficial against comedonal acne. Decreased inflammation: Topical vitamin A derivatives may reduce inflammation. Acne is an inflammatory skin condition, so it may reduce inflammation associated with breakouts.
Vitamin A is well knowns to reduce sebum production when taken orally as a retinoid medication. However, it is difficult to get enough Vitamin A to the sebaceous glands in the skin through diet alone.
This is where vitamin A for acne can be beneficial because vitamin A (in specific forms) slows down cell turnover. In short: Vitamin A helps skin repair itself so that dead skin cells turn over less (a.k.a. slows down cell turnover), often leading to less clogged pores.
Deficiencies in EFA's, Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, B Vitamins, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Vitamin C can all impact skin health, leading to increased inflammation, sebum production, and acne breakouts.
A type of acne, sebum plugs happen when pores get clogged with sebum and dead skin cells. Sebum is oil your body produces to keep skin moist. Sebum plugs result from hormones and increased stress levels. Sebum plugs usually develop on the face, including the forehead, chin and nose.
Most people with vitamin A toxicity have a headache and rash. Consuming too much vitamin A over a long period of time can cause coarse hair, partial loss of hair (including the eyebrows), cracked lips, and dry, rough skin. Chronic consumption of large doses of vitamin A can cause liver damage.
Vitamin A deficiency can result from inadequate intake, fat malabsorption, or liver disorders. Deficiency impairs immunity and hematopoiesis and causes rashes and typical ocular effects (eg, xerophthalmia, night blindness).
Acute systemic vitamin A toxicity typically arises when an individual consumes over 100,000 RAE within a short period, often from supplements or high-dose medications. The toxicity symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, irritability, blurred vision, and muscular incoordination.