Having acne can be a challenge. Not only does it affect the way that you look, but it can also affect your self-esteem and the way that you feel about your own body. While there can be multiple causes of acne on a body, many are caused by Propionibacterium acnes — a bacteria that can colonize on the skin and in the hair follicles, causing unsightly and painful red bumps.¹ Other types of acne are caused by excess sebum, which is a natural skin oil that can build up and cause red, swollen bumps.²

Luckily, while acne can be painful and uncomfortable to deal with, there are some natural ingredients that you can take to help alleviate the problem. Here are some of the best oral natural acne remedies.

Turmeric is a plant that is commonly used to add spice and flavor to food. Consuming turmeric can help with acne because it reduces inflammation in your body.³ In addition, Turmeric has been shown to have antimicrobial properties, which means that it may be able to kill bad bacteria that cause your skin to break out out.⁴

Some experts believe that one of the causes of acne is bacteria in the gut — which can leak and cause a response of inflammation on the skin.⁵  Probiotics help restore digestive balance, boost your immune system and boost skin health so that you can naturally fight acne from the inside out.

Another product that might help you combat acne on your body is fish oil. Fish oil is high in a substance called omega-3 fatty acid, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. A recent study showed that acne sufferers who took omega-3 fatty acid for two months ended up seeing a significant reduction in body & back acne.⁶ In addition to taking fish oil supplements, you can also try increasing your intake of fish and seafood, which naturally contain omega-3 fatty acids.

DIM — or diindolylmethane — is a supplement that is commonly take to help treat acne.⁷ DIM is found in cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts and more. Experts believe that DIM could help people who suffer from acne, because it helps with hormonal balance, and it may be able to stop excess oil production.⁸ If your acne is cystic acne or caused by oily skin, DIM might be a supplement that can help you improve the condition of your skin.

Suffering from acne can be a drag, but luckily, there are natural products that you can consume that may be able to help reduce the problem. If you take oral acne treatments to help your body get and stay healthy and maintain a normal skin care hygiene routine, you may be able to enjoy a life of clear, smooth, acne-free skin.

Zinc

Studies show that people with acne tend to have a zinc deficiency and zinc supplementation may reduce acne by up to 50 percent. Zinc supplementation can help acne by restoring healthy zinc level, which tempers the skin’s inflammatory response, leaving it less vulnerable to C. acnes bacteria. 

Sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK83685/

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2835893/

3. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-662-turmeric.aspx?activeingredientid=662

4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27213821

5. https://www.aad.org/media/news-releases/could-probiotics-be-the-next-big-thing-in-acne-and-rosacea-treatments

6. http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/will-omega-3-supplements-help-clear-acne

7. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1049-diindolylmethane.aspx?activeingredientid=1049&activeingredientname=diindolylmethane

8. http://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/skin-care/news/a21707/natural-acne-supplement/