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How Do I Choose the Best Vitamins for Oily Skin?

Marisa O'Connor
Marisa O'Connor

There are a few helpful guidelines when it comes to finding the right vitamins for oily skin. Asking friends and family if they've had success treating oily skin with vitamins and getting tips from them is a great and reliable start. The family doctor is another great source of information about using vitamins to treat skin problems. Vitamin A is a particularly helpful vitamin to reduce excess oil, especially when paired with zinc and vitamin E. A deficiency in vitamin B2 can result in oily skin, so supplementing with this vitamin can cure some skin problems.

Oily skin is a problem that affects many people, and chances are that you're not the only person in your family with this issue. Asking friends and family if they have found any vitamin supplements or certain foods that help decrease their skin's oil production is a great way to get new and reliable ideas for treating skin problems. The family doctor is also a great place to turn for information. He or she may have some suggestions for vitamins for oily skin or at least refer you to a dermatologist or nutritionist for suggestions.

Women taking oral contraceptives have less oily skin as a side effect.
Women taking oral contraceptives have less oily skin as a side effect.

Vitamin A is an incredibly versatile and essential part of a healthy diet and is counted among the vitamins that are good for oily skin because it not only supports overall skin health, but also suppresses excess oil production that causes oily skin. This vitamin is available in supplement form but can be toxic when ingested in high doses, so the safest way to get this vitamin into your system is eating plenty of foods rich in it. These foods include sweet potatoes, carrots, and fish. Moisturizers fortified with vitamin A are a great choice for people with oily skin, as they tend to not exacerbate the condition.

Vitamins A and E help reduce excess skin oil.
Vitamins A and E help reduce excess skin oil.

Zinc and vitamin E are a couple of indirect vitamins for oily skin treatment. On their own, zinc and vitamin E have no affect on skin health and over-production of oil. When paired with a diet rich in vitamin A, however, they serve to boost the effects of the vitamin on skin health. In addition to helping vitamin A restore skin health, zinc and vitamin E prevent the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, which is responsible for excess oil production in the skin.

A deficiency in Vitamin B2 can result in oily skin.
A deficiency in Vitamin B2 can result in oily skin.

Vitamin B2, also called riboflavin, is another example of versatile vitamins for oily skin treatment. Studies have shown that a deficiency of vitamin B2 can result in oily skin, so supplementing with this vital nutrient can solve oily skin problems, but only if the cause was a deficiency in B2. B2 vitamins can be found in most foods derived from animals and plants, and most grain products in the United States are fortified with this vitamin. Liver and kidney meats are the best source of riboflavin, followed by dairy products.

Discussion Comments

goldenmist

@rjh has some good suggestions but if you're still struggling with oily skin, there are anti-shine make-up products for both men and women that can at least lessen the appearance of oily skin and also moisturize the skin at the same time.

rjh

I've had a problem with oily skin for a while now and I can testify that Vitamin A and Vitamin E are very beneficial. Try to keep in mind that foods containing these vitamins are much better than simply taking vitamins, although taking vitamins is better than nothing. Prescription acne medications like Accutane are essentially just high doses of Vitamin A. Another tip I can offer with Vitamin E is that if you get the capsule form, you can cut it open and apply it directly to the skin. This might be more beneficial for you than taking it orally.

A few other home remedies for oily skin I've heard of include mixing paracetamol tablets (non-coated) with a little bit of water and applying to your face. After about five minutes it'll harden into a mask, then you just let it sit for another 10 or so minutes and rinse it off. It's great for exfoliation as well. I've also used organic honey which has had pretty good results.

Perhaps the best advice I can give is keep your hands off your face! If you're anything like me, you're always resting your chin on your palm or touching your face and this is terrible practice as it delivers dirt and oil right to your face.

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    • Women taking oral contraceptives have less oily skin as a side effect.
      By: Kimberly Reinick
      Women taking oral contraceptives have less oily skin as a side effect.
    • Vitamins A and E help reduce excess skin oil.
      By: milosducati
      Vitamins A and E help reduce excess skin oil.
    • A deficiency in Vitamin B2 can result in oily skin.
      By: studiovespa
      A deficiency in Vitamin B2 can result in oily skin.
    • Zinc can help control oily skin.
      By: Syda Productions
      Zinc can help control oily skin.
    • Teenagers are likely to have oily skin.
      By: Skazka Grez
      Teenagers are likely to have oily skin.
    • There are several vitamins that can help decrease the skin's oil production.
      By: gosphotodesign
      There are several vitamins that can help decrease the skin's oil production.
    • A vitamin B2 supplement can help solve oily skin problems.
      By: monticellllo
      A vitamin B2 supplement can help solve oily skin problems.
    • Eating carrots can be a good source of vitamin A, which is good for oily skin.
      By: LoloStock
      Eating carrots can be a good source of vitamin A, which is good for oily skin.
    • A dermatologist may recommend a combination of supplements to help patients reduce oil production.
      By: Melpomene
      A dermatologist may recommend a combination of supplements to help patients reduce oil production.