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So its close to a month of around 4,000 IU and although I did notice slight improvement, its seems as if its come to a crashing hault. I am going to continue taking 4,000 and maybe bump to 5,000 but also I have question. Someone here mentioned its very important to take co factors K2 and Magnesium which I havent been taking at all. I was thinking about going to the vitaminshoppe and purchasing these today. Do you guys think that it will help? And also, why is it very important to take Magnesium and K2 in conjunction with vitamin D? I guess Im nervous taking all these different supplements.
First of all, it's better to get your vitamin D levels tested to see if you have a deficiency and how serious the deficiency is.
Second, it's best to start with a lower dose and work your way to a higher one if you can tolerate it. Be patient, it can take up to a few months to see results.
Third, if your acne actually worsens while taking D3 supplements, consider visiting a doctor to measure your levels and give you prescription D2. As I already mentioned before, I couldn't tolerate over the counter D3 supplements due to the yeast and oil they put in the capsules (even in dry tablet form, I tried several kinds). I did some research and discovered that D2 - which is slower acting than D3 - is plant-based and more suitable for people who cannot fully absorb D3 supplements (lanolin based). I don't really like the idea of taking the prescription strength synthetic D2, but this is the only form that is working for me. When the prescription is over, my doctor wants me to keep taking D supplements at lower doses, so I will need to find an over the counter D2 supplement rather than D3. I also try to get my D3 from fortified soy milk and sunshine, as those are the only forms my body accepts. There are separate tests for D2 and D3, and usually doctors tell you your cumulative so you need to ask them what each level is so you can figure out if D2 can work for you.
after reading this post i started taking 2000IU of d3 1 week ago and i can feel my face is less oily then before d3. i think its a good sign. I just worried about can d3 also cause hair loss like accutane becox while on accutane i face hair loss problem or it is safe taking d3 without any side effect for long term
I gave this a second try and can confirm it doesn't do anything for me. I took between 10,000iu and 20,000iu of vitamin D3 every day for 3 months without any results. It's still worth a try but it doesn't work for everybody.
First of all, it's better to get your vitamin D levels tested to see if you have a deficiency and how serious the deficiency is.
Second, it's best to start with a lower dose and work your way to a higher one if you can tolerate it. Be patient, it can take up to a few months to see results.
Third, if your acne actually worsens while taking D3 supplements, consider visiting a doctor to measure your levels and give you prescription D2. As I already mentioned before, I couldn't tolerate over the counter D3 supplements due to the yeast and oil they put in the capsules (even in dry tablet form, I tried several kinds). I did some research and discovered that D2 - which is slower acting than D3 - is plant-based and more suitable for people who cannot fully absorb D3 supplements (lanolin based). I don't really like the idea of taking the prescription strength synthetic D2, but this is the only form that is working for me. When the prescription is over, my doctor wants me to keep taking D supplements at lower doses, so I will need to find an over the counter D2 supplement rather than D3. I also try to get my D3 from fortified soy milk and sunshine, as those are the only forms my body accepts. There are separate tests for D2 and D3, and usually doctors tell you your cumulative so you need to ask them what each level is so you can figure out if D2 can work for you.
Probably should have mentioned this: I get a physical once a year and last year (September) my vitamin D levels were low so my doctor prescribed D2, 50,000IUs once a week. At the time I was taking minocycline prescribed by my dermo and I wasnt able to determine if it was helping with my acne or not. I did notice however, that when I took D2 a couple months back when I stopped taking anti biotics that no new pimples had formed for 3 days or so. Dunno if it was coincidental or not but my D2 prscription is up and my doctor works basically by himself so trying to get a hold of him is kind of hard. Then I read the OP around the same time so I thought Id give it a shot. I started at 2,000 and the first 7 days or so seemed like I was on my way to improvement but now after almost a month a new one comes up just about everyday again. Im at 5,000 now but was considering upping to 10. But then I also was going to try what that one poster recommended about Magnesium and K2. Does anyone else take Magnesium and K2 with their vitamin d3? Also the Magnesium I bought from Vitamin shop is Magnesium Citrate complex.
Any and all help is appreciated. Im going out to visit a very good friend of mine in another country in 3 1/2 months and Im already nervous that I won't get this controlled in time. I really dont want to do it but if I dont see improvement in another month im going to bite the bullet and go back to the dermo. From what they said, if what they suggested a couple months ago wasnt working (which was just a topical and no antibiotic) they were gonna put me on accutane again.
I know there are more pressing issues in the world so I shouldnt let this bother me too much but it really sucks knowing how nice you look when there is no acne vs when there is.
I registered just to thank you for posting your story. First, I had/have acne but never used anything but over the counter products. I had acne and just dealt with it. Finally, went to a licensed esthetician who put me on a vitamin c skincare plan. My acne was finally calmed but my skin was still oily and rough textured. Oily, orange peel like skin was what I was left with, even the esthetician was stumped. I was in my late 40's and just thought, "its just old age." So, I just bought heavier makeup and dealt with it. My skin was so oily, blotting paper didn't work - I had to use tissues and paper towels to blot the oil off my face.
Last week I went to a routine physical and my doctor simply said, "You're extremely Vitamin D deficient. Start taking about 1,000 units of vitamin D3 a day." I'm 53 now and worry about being/staying healthy. So I went out and got some Vitamin D3 (on sale at my local drugstore-buy 1,get 1 free). When I got home, I started searching the web about vitamin deficiencies - I stuck with professional sites like WebMD and Mayo Clinic. According to WebMD the upper safe range is 4,000 units a day. So I started taking 4,000 a day - just to get my levels up for my next physical.
After just four days I noticed that I didn't have to blot my face! I went out, did errands, then came home to do my exercises and
some household chores. After a day like that, usually my makeup has slide off from all the oil - but nothing. In fact, after doing my skincare routine, I noticed my pores appeared smaller/tighter and the rough texture along my cheeks was much smoother. After a month I'll try to post an update.
I did more web research but didn't find anything about vitamin D improving skin, until I widen my search from the professional sites. There really should be some research done in this area, especially in regards to young people. If just taking some supplements can improve not just health, but cure skin conditions, it would save a lot of money and angst for many teenagers/young adults.
Thank you for posting and good luck on your clearer, healthier skin.
Was wondering if anyone else had experimented with vitamin D and acne. I noticed a long time ago that my acne seems to get better during the summer when I'd be outside a lot more. During the cold winter months, my skin would breakout a lot. Probably about a year ago I decided to buy some vitamin D since I figured maybe that was what helped my acne. I had a huge decline in new pimples. A couple months ago I decided not to buy any more vitamin D because my skin looked good, and I wasn't sure if I needed it. Over the last month, my skin has been bombarded by new pimples. I decided last week to start taking vitamin D again, and within days my skin has cleared up. No new acne, and the acne that was there is quickly going away.
I'm taking 400 iu of D3 daily. I don't see any reason for me to increase my dosage, and never have. I'm just glad I finally found something that truly helps without me having to put all kinds of lotion on my face. I've had acne for probably about 13-14 years now, and it has always been a pain to deal with. Glad others have found success with vitamin D!
D2 converts to D3 in the body provided all your processes are working (if you have thyroid or adrenal issues, that conversion process may not be working very well). D3 is the "active" form your body needs. You won't get the benefits of D2 unless it is converting to D3, so it doesn't make any sense to avoid D3 for that reason.
I was one of those few people who got more acne from D3 supplements. If you are fine with oils and yeast, you shouldn't have a reaction. I haven't had any more acne from D2 supplements, but they do contain gelatin in the capsule as well as soy if you have allergies. I haven't heard of anyone breaking out from D2, but I also haven't heard many people seeing dramatic results from D2 either because it converts to D3 at a slower rate
I`m not willing to test if D3 / D2 are good or bad for me, since you guys said d3 might cause acne. Any ideas if d2 is sure not to cause acne to some people ?
s 3 .....x idk if pharamas sell it
I went to my derm a couple of weeks ago to get started on Accutane. Since I'm a female I have to wait 30 days to submit my second pregnancy test to confirm I'm not pregnant which will be two weeks from now. In the meantime, my PCP found that my vitamin D levels are low and told me to start taking supplements. I started Vitamin D3 2000IU supplements over a week ago, NOT FOR ACNE, and all of a sudden my acne has cleared up! I have the residual scars from the pimples I had a couple weeks ago but not a single pimple on my face today! I was so surprised and confused how my skin could be looking this good when the only thing I've changed is taking vitamin D supplements. I found 4 research studies on my school's database that confirms vitamin D is effective for acne treatment in people with vitamin D deficiency if that's the cause of your acne AND for women with PCOS with or without vitamin D deficiency! Amazing! I just so happen to have PCOS and vitamin D deficiency so it makes sense why this would work for me.
I've always had break outs in the winter, more so than in the summer. Which makes sense since I'm spending most of my time indoors and the sunsets earlier in the winter. Hence why I'm more vitamin D deficient in the winter and have significantly worse acne. I also HATE milk and can't stand to drink it so I'm definitely not getting this in my diet. I'm also half African American so I can't synthesize vitamin D from sunlight as easily as fair-skinned individuals. I totally agree with your hypothesis and like the whole idea of a "negative feedback system" causing your sebaceous glands to over-compensate a vitamin D deficiency without correcting the problem.
I never knew that Vitamin D and acne were related and I stumbled across this completely on accident like you! This is no placebo effect! I had no intentions of my acne clearing up from vitamin D but it did! And it's great to see that this has been the "cure" for other people too. I hope that this is going to work for me long term and that I'm not just having a good couple of weeks. I'll probably end up cancelling the accutane I'm supposed to start in two weeks if all continues to go well. Thanks for your post!
Just found this thread yesterday and thought I'd give this a try. I'm a 27 year old woman, had acne since about 14, and have tried everything. Some things have worked really well but only for a limited amount of time - accutane, Dianette, Dan's regimen. Others have not worked at all - antibiotics, omega supplements, other topicals. I've got very oily skin and have been on Dan's regimen for about 4 years which usually keeps the worst of my acne at bay, and up until a couple of weeks ago, my acne hadn't been that bad. I could go outside without make up and not be self conscious. But over the last 2-3 weeks my skin has broken out really badly and I don't know what to do anymore! So I've started taking 6000iu of D3 a day so see if that will stop my skin being so oily. I'll post my results in a couple of weeks.
Hiya!
I'm 22 years old and i've just graduated from university where i've suffered with acne for the entire 4 years and well beforehand, I would say my acne started at 16 years old. My mum was looking on the internet and found this website and it intrigued us enough that I have since been to Holland and Barrett to buy some Vitamin D3 supplements (25mg/1000IU). In the past, I have had numerous appointments with my GP who has prescribed me on a variety of medicines (namely Oxytetracycline) in order to cure my acne however it flares up within 2 weeks of taking the tablets. I suffer especially bad with my acne in the winter months (aka. now) and I have been taking the D3 supplements for just under a week, and I am already starting to see slightly enhanced results in my skin. Namely, my skin glows more, the acne on my cheeks and forehead has most definitely reduced and I am therefore optimistic that with prolonged use of these tablets I will start to see a visible improvement in my skin. Price wise: Holland and Barrett are currently offering one bottle of the D3 tablets for about £5 and you get another bottle for 1p. So, obviously I bought two bottles which has now given me a 6 month supply on the proviso that you take one-a-day.
Any acne sufferers: It is absolutely definitely worth a go! TRY IT! 
I'm 33yo and have been taking supplements for a year or so started with multi vits and fish oil mainly cause my grandmother used to talk about how her mother would force her to take cod liver oil to prevent sickness especially in winter and she didn't ever really get sick . well I started taking supplements to help the quality of my life , I was tired all the time and seemed to catch any bug that was around . well since I've been researching vits & mins & came across this site . ever since puberty I've had mild to severe acne worse in winter so I would go to tanning salons to help . since I've read this I added d3 to my regiment its been about 2 weeks & my acne is clearing up , no new inflammations . I take about 4000iu a day . wish I found out sooner wouldn't have so many scars , but I'm definitely happy with my results . thanks to everybody who posted . Fyi I take lysine , co-q10 , zinc , vit e , centrum & omega 3-6-9(all sundown) , q10 & zinc 4 times a week everything else daily , & feel & heal much better & don't get sick as much
After 3+ months of D2 supplementation, my level has gone from 20s to 82! This is the total D level, but my D3 is <4 according to the lab results. Does anyone know if only D3 can help with skin problems? Now I'm not deficient anymore, but my D3 levels are still low.
I don't think D3 supplements are supposed to cause an initial breakout, are they? Because I keep breaking out on them, that's why I got prescription D2.
During the winter time my skin gets more oily and redder than usual. Probably due to irritation from the cold and (perhaps) lack of sunlight. Right on cue with winter, after a relativity problem free eight months (my personal best since age 13), I had an unexpected breakout in November and have been seeing the usual winter harshness in my skin since.
I remembered this thread and thought I'd give Vitamin D3 a go. I went with the aforementioned Holland & Barrett variety ( http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=826&prodid=886&cid=163 ). It's more expensive than I would have liked but H&B are a trusted UK brand and it came with the promise of "No added Salt. No Milk, No Corn, No Lactose, No Gluten, No Wheat, No Yeast, No Fish, No Porcine, No Soya".
I started on December 2, so it's been a week so far (one supplement per day with breakfast). I've actually noticed a slight improvement already. My face is less oily and is not as red as it was last week. I'm hoping to be able to achieve the normal skin tone and oil balance that I get in the summer, hopefully Vitamin D3 will help with this. I'll post back in a month with an update.
FYI: 24/M/London, I perform "the regimen" every day, take a daily Vitamin C + Zinc supplement, and eat a mostly pescetarian diet.
So, has anyone figured out any constants among the people that the D3 has worked for?
I first read about it in Green Gables' huge hormonal acne thread on here, and after making my way to this thread after finishing that one, I'm thinking about trying D3 first and putting off the strong anti-androgen stuff (Saw Palmetto, etc) until later, in case D3 doesn't work. I actually started myself on the paleo diet a couple years back, and it's helped my cystic acne a fair bit, but lately I've gotten lazy and it's started coming back. I wonder if the fact that that particular leg of the anti-hormonal-acne strategy outlined in Green Gables' thread has worked for me is a good predictor that D3 will help even more?
We'll see... I'm starting D3 tomorrow (dunno what dosage yet--thinking of starting at 1,000 or 2,000 IU), and will probably supplement w/ C and Magnesium. I'll update this thread in a few weeks w/ progress. Unless I die.
FYI: 30 y.o. male, cystic acne and greasy skin since age 14 or so. On a computer pretty much all day, very little sun at all. EDIT: forgot to add, I started losing my hair around 14 too, and currently it's very thin on top. From far away I look bald up there. Also, I might have prostate issues, not sure. So, good chance I've got DHT problems?
I don't have much for acne anymore, but I have a ton of blackheads on my nose that never go away. I take Retin-A every other night and it has cured me of acne. My face is still extremely oily though, especially my nose, which only cleared up when I was on accutane. Im going to start doing this today, 2,000 mg of Vitamin C, and I will start with 4,000 mg's of Vitamin D3. I also live in Ontario Canada, and am mostly in doors, especially during these winter months. Heres hoping it helps! I will update this weekly in case people are wondering what the progress is like.