Recently, my bare skin was just going to kind of right and until now – that is, about two weeks ago – I'm not sure of the culprit. I did not overhaul my skin care routine or make significant changes to my diet (if any, there was an increase in alcohol, cheese, and sugar), so & # 39; t all honestly, I was obvious in my observation. My skin becomes smoother My acne scarring lightens up, and my frequent flyer club of acne gets sparser.
Racking my brain, I made a list of every single thing I changed over the course of the past month, and really, the things I can write with confidence are my religious use of IS Clinical & # 39; s Hydra- Cool Serum ($ 94) (every damn day, either morning or evening and sometimes both), Klur & # 39; s Supreme Seed Delicate Purification Mask ($ 60) (once or twice a week), and my only new supplement, ZitSticka & # 39; s Skin Discipline ($ 44). Of course, I started cross-checking the ingredients, and I noticed a factor, in particular, that there was a starring placement on both subjects and my supplement-vitamin B5.
Working hours later, I realized that there was a high probability that my new regular habit of applying and ingesting vitamins could be causing my reddened complexion, but to triple check my theory, I went to the experts: Kristina Holey a Marie Veronique partner and holistic skincare specialty; Eden Gilliam, an esthetician and founder of Eve Milan New York ; and Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN, a registered dietitian, sports nutritionist, and co-founder / formulator of Mija .
What is vitamin B5, and can it really be used to treat or prevent acne? Keep scrolling! I ask all my burning questions on the subject just below.
Vitamin B5 (also known as pantothenic acid) is a water-soluble B vitamin and one of the eight essential B vitamins our body to function at their highest, healthy level. (Technologically, panthenol is a provitamin, a precursor, that our bodies naturally turn to vitamin B5.)
"Internally, vitamin B5 is essential for the breakdown and metabolism of fats, carbs, and protein to be used for the body's energy, "Koszyk explained. "It also helps to form red blood cells and synthesize cholesterol, and it plays a role in other processes such as helping the adrenal glands produce stress-reactive hormones, keeping the nervous system in check. also evidence that vitamin B5 is directly linked to the health of the liver, skin, hair, and nails. "
Subject, Gilliam told us that vitamin B5 is a humectant and great for the binding of water to the skin , keeping it plump, soft, and hydrated – all perks that are particularly useful in preventing premature aging.
Like most ingredients in the field of skincare, the link between vitamin B5 and acne, and whether the former is an effective treatment for the latter, requesting more research. As a topical skincare ingredient, vitamin B5 doubles as a humectant and emollient moisture. In addition, it is thought to help nourish and accelerate wound healing due to its anti-inflammatory properties. (Acne, technically speaking, is a wound.) Thanks to its hydration-binding properties, it performs well with other humectants such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides, which help to establish plumpness, bouncy, healthy skin.
The association of Vitamin B5 with healthy, clear skin will not stop at the bottles and tincture lining of your vanity, however. If it is digested through food or supplements, both experts and studies say that vitamin B5 can help target acne because the vitamin helps to control sebum and body oil production.
"Vitamin B5 helps regulate the function of the skin barrier, including the production of sebum, which helps reduce acne on the face and acne-related blemishes," says Koszyk. "Vitamin B5 is essential for the processing and reduction of fat. A suggested modality of acne is that excess fat buildup is expelled through the skin in the form of sebum (an oily substance), which can clog pores and cause acne. So those who have naturally oily skin or tend to break down after eating high-fat foods can benefit from this vitamin. "
According to Koszyk, Vitamin B5 is also needed to synthesize Coenzyme A (CoA), which is essential for fat metabolism. Because CoA reduces excess oil from the skin’s oil glands, those deficient in CoA may be more likely to experience breakouts.
The takeaway? Applying vitamin B5 will keep essential moisture locked in your skin for a dewier glow, boost the function of your skin barrier by increasing the activity of natural cells, accelerate the healing of wounds, and reduce inflammation induced redness. Digestion of vitamin B5, on the other hand, can help pump the brakes into sebum and oil production.
Because vitamin B5 is taken through supplements / foods and The skincare applied by vitamin B5 is associated with improved skin health, it can be difficult to know which route to take or what is more or less effective than others.
"Interesting because science is primarily based on the benefits of vitamin B5 through dietary modality," Koszyk said. For example, he emphasized that a 2012 study published in the Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Science and Applications reported a test group in which individuals taking B5 supplements experienced a significant reduction in blemishes on the face and wounds on the face without negative side effects. However, it is important to note that sample size is limited, so more research is needed. And unfortunately, there is not much established research on the effectiveness of the topical vitamin B5 in replicating the same benefits for skin health.
The writing on the wall? You can see great benefits in the skin by adding vitamin B5 to your regular skincare routine (it will certainly not cause harm, and it will help soothe, moisturize, and heal), but research refers to supplements as the best route to achieve clearer skin, as the vitamin needs to be metabolized and digested to reach its full potential.
When it comes to increasing your daily intake of vitamin B5, all three experts we consulted said start with your diet .
"I strongly believe in making sure you have all the internal support needed for healthy skin and a healthy body before you start adding supplements or many skincare products," Gilliam clarified. He recommends prioritizing foods high in vitamin B5 such as shiitake mushrooms, sunflower seeds, egg yolks, broccoli, sweet potatoes, wild caught salmon, avocado, lentils, and spearmint tea.
It says, if a health professional diagnoses you with a condition such as leaky gut syndrome, malabsorption, or anything that prevents proper digestive function, Holey says you can benefit from a diet with vitamin B5 and supplement.
"Always check with your doctor or dermatologist before taking a supplement to get the right dose needed for your specific acne treatment," Koszyk says. For the most part, minimal risks are associated with vitamin B5, but according to Koszyk, high doses can cause diarrhea. He recommends starting with a low dose so that you do not create an imbalance between other essential B vitamins. For this reason, most B5 supplements are sold as a B-complex vitamin or multivitamin. Olly (below) covers you with your daily five milligrams.
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