By Richard Malik, ND
As published in the Lakeville Journal, Millerton News, & Winsted Journal
7 June 2007

The skin is a very important organ from an anatomical and physiological perspective: it protects our muscles and organs from injury and infection; helps to regulate temperature; and removes toxins from the body. From a social perspective, the skin is important because it affects our appearance and the first impression we make.

One of the most common skin conditions is acne, also known as pimples, zits, whiteheads, and blackheads. Acne is an infection of the oil producing glands in the skin that happens when the pores of these glands become obstructed. They can be obstructed by skin cells or by thick, oily secretions.

The simplest and easiest way of addressing acne is through good hygiene and applying medicines to the affected areas. The two most common over-the-counter remedies are benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Benzoyl peroxide is used for its anti-bacterial properties while salicylic acid, obtained from white willow bark, is both anti-bacterial and discourages build-up of skin cells. Sometimes antibiotics or Retin-A, a metabolite of vitamin A, are applied to the skin to kill bacteria or unclog pores, respectively. Prescription topical medicines for acne may cause irritation or sensitivity to the sun.

Natural medicine offers some alternatives to the over-the-counter or prescription topical remedies. Antibiotics may be replaced with topical niacinamide (a form of vitamin B-3) cream or azelaic acid (a wheat protein) cream. Oregon grape root tincture can be applied to the skin to kill bacteria or ingested for its traditional herbal activity of cleansing the blood and, thereby, the skin.

In my clinical experience, individual and personal reactions to foods may contribute to acne. Some clinicians notice a correlation between the consumption of refined sugar and other refined carbohydrates to the incidence of acne and some patients have found that specific foods will encourage and exacerbate pimples. If foods are contributing to your acne, identifying them may be challenging. The most common aggravating foods are dairy, wheat, corn, soy, and chocolate.

Nutrients can be effective to reduce the frequency and severity of acne. The most commonly beneficial nutrients are zinc and vitamin A, which are both important for healthy skin and immune function. In serious cases of acne, both are used in very high doses that may result in toxicity if not monitored closely by a knowledgeable clinician. In less serious cases, zinc can be used in doses of about 15 mg three times daily. Because zinc blocks the absorption of copper, 2-3 mg of copper must be taken daily as well. 25,000 IU of vitamin A can be helpful in mild to moderate cases of acne. In more serious cases, up to 100,000 or more may be used. Once again, these nutrients when used in high doses can cause side effects and should be used under supervision.

Some women have premenstrual syndrome that is accompanied by acne. In these cases, 100 mg daily of vitamin B6 can be used in conjunction with other dietary and lifestyle therapies to encourage proper steroid hormone metabolism.

Please remember that any substance can cause side effects if taken in excess. Frequently, these side effects can come on slowly and be difficult to identify. Therefore, it is important to use all medicinal substances safely and responsibly. If you do not know how to do this, it is advisable to utilize a reliable reference or knowledgeable practitioner to ensure safety.