Zinc for Acne: This is How The Active Ingredient Helps with Pimples
Acne is the number one skin disease, often caused by a zinc deficiency. How the trace element helps against the nasty pimples? We bring light into the dark.
They are annoying, unsightly and often painful: pimples, pustules and blackheads usually appear in teenage years and are caused by excessive sebum production and keratinization of the sebaceous glands. Sebum and horn cells accumulate more and more in the sebaceous glands and hair follicles and clog them. This can lead to inflammation and thus pimples.
With good care or medicinal treatment with ointments or tablets, acne heals itself after puberty. Only about ten percent of those affected still suffer from pimples and blackheads after the age of 25. Pimples are by no means an expression of a lack of hygiene. Despite daily cleaning, comedones and pustules can sprout. Many acne sufferers suffer from a zinc deficiency, which promotes pimples.
Causes of acne: Zinc deficiency
Daily make-up removal is part of your regular beauty routine. In your bathroom you will find washing gel, face lotion and peeling. And you also go to the beautician regularly for cleansing. But still you can’t get rid of pimples, pustules and blackheads? Then you should reconsider your eating habits. Because many acne patients also suffer from a zinc deficiency, which can be regulated by the right diet.
Bye skin problems! Therefore zinc is good against acne
As a trace element, zinc is an important factor in numerous metabolic processes, for example cell division and protein metabolism. If the body is not supplied with sufficient zinc through nutrition, a zinc deficiency occurs and the cell metabolism is disturbed. Inflammations of the skin such as pimples, pustules or papules are the result, which regenerate only slowly due to slower wound healing. A sufficient supply of zinc is therefore not only important for a strengthened immune system but also for healthy skin:
- Zinc normalizes sebum production
- Zinc supports the healing of wounds
- and strengthens the immune system
It is therefore hardly surprising that a zinc deficiency can lead to skin problems like acne.
Fight acne from the inside with zinc
In the fight against acne, it is important to prevent a zinc deficiency and to take in sufficient zinc through food. Zinc is mainly found in the following foods:
- Cereals and cereal products (oat flakes)
- Pulses (lentils, corn, soya)
- Milk and dairy products (quark, cheese)
- Meat, fish, eggs
- Nuts (Brazil nuts, peanuts)
Alternatively, you can also counteract a zinc deficiency in tablet form or by taking food supplements. Zinc preparations are available in pharmacies and drugstores. Ideally you should consult your doctor about your zinc requirements.
How zinc from the outside helps against acne
Zinc ointments contain zinc oxide, a mixture of zinc and oxygen known for its disinfecting effect. It dries out pimples while reliably fighting bacteria. It absorbs escaping wound secretion and thus prevents the bacteria from spreading and thus further pimples. At the same time zinc forms a protective layer and helps the skin to regenerate and heal.
Ideally, apply the zinc ointment overnight with a cotton swab selectively to the affected skin areas. Important: Never apply to large areas, as zinc ointment can cause further pimples due to its high fat content. In combination with vitamin A creams (retinol) pimples will hopefully soon be a thing of the past.