9+ Best Supplements for Acne to Get Rid of Blackheads

Despite the popular perception of acne as a puberty-related health issue, it can really occur at almost any age. Here are the best supplements for acne that are both safe and affordable: forget about blackheads once and for all.

1. Zinc

The mechanism of acne is very easy to understand: as your oil glands start to work harder than normal, the excess oil clogs skin pores and provides bacteria with something to feed on, which results in pimples.

Zinc is one of the most important elements in the human body that is required for the proper function of numerous enzymes. Various zinc compounds have been used for such conditions as dermatitis, eczema, diaper rash, and acne for a very long time; scientists hypothesize that they either suppress sebum (oil) production or destroy harmful bacteria. 

It is also believed that zinc can boost the effect of such prescription drugs as antibiotics as it facilitates their absorption. In a 1990 study, a topical application of a combination of 4% erythromycin (an antibiotic widely used for the treatment of skin infections) and 1.2% zinc acetate proved to be noticeably effective in alleviating symptoms of acne in 39 patients.

Healthy people don’t need a lot of zinc: for adult men the recommended daily dietary allowance is 11 mg per day, while for women, this figure is only 8 mg per day. On the other hand, if you have acne, the required therapeutic zinc intake gets higher: in a 2001 study, it was demonstrated that patients who received 30 mg elemental zinc demonstrated a 31.2% success rate. Although antibiotics have twice as high a success rate, the beneficial action of zinc is still perceptible.

You can buy the best zinc supplements for acne on iHerb. Here is one of the highest-rated products: 

Zinc Picolinate, 60 capsules by Thorne Research

• 30 mg of zinc per serving
• High bioavailability
• Enough capsules for two months of use
• Reputable brand

2. Topical Vitamin A

Vitamin A is known to protect skin from infection and inflammation; still, you need to exercise caution while using it for treating acne.

In medications for topical use, vitamin A is usually transformed into retinoids: while they help the skin regenerate, these compounds can be detrimental to pregnant women. Retinoids also make your skin more susceptible to dangerous UV radiation (which is one of the causes of skin cancer). If you use them, it is advised that you avoid long exposure to the sun and additionally protect your skin with sunscreen. These side-effects are the reason why numerous retinoid brands can usually be bought only with a prescription.

Here is one of the best over-the-counter supplements that contain Adapalene, a powerful retinoid:

Adapalene Gel, 0.1 %, Fragrance Free, 15 g (0.5 oz) by Differin

• When using this product, limit your sun exposure and use sunscreen when going outdoors
• Irritation can occur in the first weeks of use; it lessens with continued use of the gel
• Needs to be used once daily

If your symptoms are mild, you might prefer to use retinol: a medium-strength retinoid available over the counter, which is considered safer (although less potent) compared to other retinoids. While products that feature retinol do not offer results as fast as ones produced by gels and creams that contain Adapalene, they pose a significantly lower risk of side effects and are considerably less likely to cause irritation.

Here is one of the best supplements for clearing acne that contains retinol:

Stubborn Marks PM Treatment 29 ml (1 fl oz) by Neutrogena

• Contains Retinol SA, a proprietary form of retinol
• Meant to be applied in the evening to minimize skin exposure to the sun
• Provides best results if used together with Stubborn Acne AM Treatment by the same manufacturer (see Benzoyl Peroxide section below)
• Popular brand 

3. Dietary Vitamin A

Although precursors of vitamin A called carotenoids are very common in plant food (such, for instance, as bell pepper and carrot), the human body usually absorbs only small quantities of them. Vitamin A deficiency may occur if you don’t eat enough vegetables and fruit, and dietary supplements are a viable option. Keep in mind, though, that high doses of vitamin A can have a toxic effect. Never exceed the dose recommended by the manufacturer.

Here is one of the best vitamin A supplements for acne on iHerb:

Vitamin A, 100 softgels, 10,000 IU per softgel

• Inexpensive yet dependable brand
• Olive oil-filled softgels for the best bioavailability

4. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as a powerful antioxidant. Although research into vitamin E benefits for acne treatment has begun only recently, there is a 2014 study that demonstrates that people who suffer from this condition are often deficient in zinc and vitamins A and E. Thus, it might be reasonable for you to take vitamin E (as well as above-described zinc and vitamin A) to complement the action of other medications and supplements. 

Here is one of the best vitamin E supplements on iHerb:

Naturally Sourced Vitamin E, 100 softgels by Solgar

• Well-known dependable brand
• 100 IU (67 mg) per softgel
• Does not contain dairy or gluten
• Safflower oil is used as a carrier oil for optimal absorption

5. Tea Tree Oil

Contrary to what the name might suggest, tea tree oil is manufactured not from the shrub used as a source for making green and black teas but from a tree that grows in Australia. For more than a hundred years, tea tree oil was used for treating acne, dandruff, insect bites, and various skin infections. In a 2007 study, it was established that topical application of 5% tea tree oil gel could be an efficient treatment for mild to moderate symptoms of acne, presumably due to the oil’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities.

Still, if you are going to use tea tree oil, do it with caution as it has some dangerous side effects:

• Tea tree oil is highly poisonous if taken by mouth. Never try to drink it or use it as mouthwash, and do not apply it around the mouth area. Keep it out of children’s reach.
• Tea tree oil can cause allergic reactions, and high concentrations of it can irritate the skin. If you have never used tea tree oil before, begin by applying it to a very small area of your skin to make sure that you are not allergic to it.
• Large amounts of tea tree oil applied to the skin of pets like dogs or cats can lead to poisoning due to its absorption via the skin.

Here is one of the best natural supplements for acne with tea tree oil on iHerb:

Tea Tree Oil, 30 ml (1 fl oz) by NOW Foods

• Reliable brand
• 100% pure
• To prepare a 10% solution of tea tree oil add 1 drop of it to 9 drops of carrier oil. To prepare a 5% solution, mix 1 drop of tea tree oil with 19 drops of a carrier oil

Sweet almond oil is believed to be one of the best carrier oils. Buy it on iHerb:

Sweet Almond Oil, 118 ml (4 fl oz) by NOW Foods

• Non-GMO
• Moisturizing & nourishing
• 100% Pure

6. Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is a well-known compound widely used for acne treatment. A typical concentration of benzoyl peroxide in gels and creams is 2.5%; while some products feature higher concentrations (up to 10%) there is no reliable evidence that they are more effective.

A 1990 study demonstrated that both tea tree oil and benzoyl peroxide have a significant effect in improving the symptoms of acne; although tea tree oil works slower, it has fewer side effects such as skin peeling, irritation, itching, and stinging. Thus, if you want quick results, benzoyl peroxide is a better option, and if your acne symptoms are mild, it might be more reasonable to use tea tree oil.

While complex products that combine benzoyl peroxide with antibiotics or retinoids can usually be bought only with a prescription, products that contain this compound alone are available over the counter. Here is one of the best supplements for acne skin that contains benzoyl peroxide on iHerb:

Stubborn Acne AM Treatment 56 g (2 fl oz) by Neutrogena

• Contains benzoyl peroxide at a concentration of 2.5%
• Can be used one to three times daily
• The manufacturer recommends using this product in combination with Stubborn Marks PM Treatment (see Topical vitamin A section above)
• Well-known brand

If you want to use a product with a higher concentration of benzoyl peroxide, try this cleanser:

Daily Deep Cleanser, 118 ml (4 fl oz) by Differin

• Contains benzoyl peroxide at a concentration of 5%
• Designed to cause less dryness and irritation compared to similar products

7. Salicylic Acid

A plant hormone called salicylic acid is another compound often used in the treatment of acne. It both prevents bacteria from reproducing and removes the outer layer of the skin that obstructs skin pores. You can use salicylic acid during the day to cleanse your skin before applying gels and creams with benzoyl peroxide or tea tree oil. 

The most common side effect of salicylic acid is skin dryness; if you have never used salicylic acid, start with limited amounts applied to small areas of your skin.

Here is one of the most popular skin products with salicylic acid on iHerb:

Salicylic Acid, 2% spray, 237 ml (8 fl oz) by Life-flo

• Easy to use
• Additionally includes colloidal silver and tea tree oil

8. Azelaic Acid

Azelaic acid is an organic compound that has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and was found effective for improving mild to moderate acne symptoms. In a 2008 study, azelaic acid at a 15% concentration demonstrated a success rate that was close to that of benzoyl peroxide 5% gel; in most patients, marked improvements in symptoms occurred after 34-35 days of use. What’s more, it is useful in treating people who are affected by post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. 

Azelaic acid needs to be applied two times a day; it is recommended that it be used for at least 6 months continuously to minimize the risk of relapse.

If you wonder what the best supplement for acne is, you are sure to find the answer on iHerb. Here is a popular serum that contains azelaic acid:

Azelaic Acid 10 Serum, 30 ml, 1 fl oz by Cos De BAHA

• Contains azelaic acid (10%)
• Additionally features aloe barbadensis leaf extract, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins B₃ and B₅
• Dependable brand

9. Probiotics

While there is no doubt that probiotics alone cannot be used for acne treatment, it is believed that beneficial bacteria can boost the action of the primary medications and supplements you use. A 2015 review of current research into the effect of probiotics on acne made a conclusion that “early studies suggest that oral and topical probiotics hold potential in the treatment of this condition”. 

In any case, probiotics are essential for both the health of the digestive system and the human organism as a whole: use them for your general wellness.

Here is one of the best probiotic supplements for acne on iHerb:

LactoBif Probiotics, 30 Billion Colony Forming Units per capsule by California Gold Nutrition

• 60 capsules — enough for two months of use
• 8 probiotic strains 
• Bacteria in the capsules are protected from light, moisture, and oxygen by double-foil blisters

Lifestyle

Like it is with numerous other health conditions, you can improve your acne symptoms by changing your lifestyle:

• Avoid stress. Although there is still no conclusive evidence, it is strongly suspected that stress can cause or worsen acne symptoms;
• Never go to bed having your makeup on;
• Have at least 8 consecutive hours of sleep every night;
• Avoid touching the inflamed spots to prevent bacteria from spreading;
• There are markedly fewer instances of acne in rural societies: it might be that you really need to spend your summer months as far away from big cities as possible;
• Do not overuse vitamin supplements: vitamin B₁₂ can worsen existing acne symptoms if taken in high doses; 
• Exposure to sunlight and cleanliness of skin was not found to be related to acne severity: there is no need for excessive face and body washing (besides, the harder you rub the skin, the more damage you can do to it);
• Lay off candy: there is an established connection between eating simple carbohydrates and the severity of acne. What’s more, it is also possible that the use of dairy products may be associated with this condition;
• On the bright side, such popular food as chocolate does not seem to affect the severity of acne: eat it freely provided you choose dark and ultra-dark varieties like this one:

 Dark Chocolate: Strong + Velvety, 85 g by Endangered Species

• 88% cocoa
• Fairtrade
• Gluten- and dairy-free, non-GMO, kosher & certified vegan

Now you know the best supplements for acne and how to use them. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure: never forget about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Take care!