Zinc

I started developing severe cystic acne when I was 20. They were huge red cysts with three heads each that would grow on both cheeks (almost symmetrically), and wouldn't stop being inflamed for two weeks at a time. It was ugly and really painful, and they left marks that would not go away for atleast three months and scars that are still on my cheeks. As I went from acne-free to covered in horrible red acne and scars on my face I became depressed and lost five kgs. I also started to *lose my hair* and had *dry flaky skin on my palms and face*. The skin on my palms would peel off and my hair would fall in clumps. I noticed a decrease in the *quality of hair, which became extremely dry, frizzy and lost its overall shape and texture*. I felt like I had a different person's hair on my head. I went to several doctor's who could not help me, and I got hormone and thyroid tests done which did not tell me anything. After studying my acne and symptoms over a year I self-diagnosed myself with hypothyroidism. Self-diagnosis can be dangerous, but sometimes it's about reading your body's signals. As I took measures to deal with hypothyroidism, my acne went away and I have been cyst-free for six months now. Here is what helped and what didn't: What did not help: Cutting carbs : Helped with weight-loss but acne kept coming Drinking lemon water in the morning: Good habit but cysts continued Burdock Root: did not take full dose and suffered from horrible purging breakouts over jawline on both sides of my face Green Tea: Helped with overall health and skin but cysts continued Vitamin A and D :Helped with overall skin but did not do anything for cystic acne What really helped: Calming myself down: stressing about my cysts made them worse Makeup and concealer: You can always conceal redness; it took me a while to discover this and I have been at peace since then, cysts or no ALOE VERA: This gel is magic and will speed up scar healing so much, and make your skin glowy. Tip: Keep it on overnight, on full face. Zinc: I started taking 15mg of zinc daily because it can support your thyroid. This was the key to being cyst-free. It might not work for everyone, but my hair and skin only returned to normal once I began to take zinc. Don't take too much! [I take 15mg Zinc Gluconate daily from Holland and Barrett. I've been taking one every day for a year now with no side-effects. No nausea or hair loss; my hair is almost too thick right now.] Selenium: I eat one brazil nut everyday. I have not had a single cyst or even big pimple since. It can really support your thyroid. Try it! It's magic. From my experience, zinc is not enough, but in combination with selenium I have almost zero acne issues. Magnesium: I swam in the ocean for a week, and when my skin and hair drastically improved, that's when I suspected I might have thyroid issues. I don't know whether it is the magnesium or zinc or whatever mineral that is present in sea water that did it, but it changed my skin health soooo drastically (just a week!) that it was insane. So try magnesium sprays, tablets, or a swim in the ocean! It's depressing to deal with acne but try and listen to your body. Don't go gluten and dairy free without ruling out hormonal or thyroid and other endocrine issues. Two years ago I was in a horrible place, and was constantly sad about my skin. Today it's something I think about maybe once a month, and only if I can see my scars. Otherwise I can get away without washing my face, eating like crap, being stressed, getting no sleep, having sex, etc. without it showing on my skin! It's only because I know my body needs certain nutrients. If you have any of these symptoms, try what I did! I hope I help someone.

I've always had hormonally-triggered acne, and when I got my Paragard IUD over the summer it got worse. A whole slew of homeopathic and nature-based blogs said that it might have been due to copper toxicity, and although I normally take those "diagnoses" with a grain of salt, I was pretty desperate. I started taking a zinc supplement to counteract the alleged effects of the copper, and I'm not sure what happened, but I've never had better skin in my LIFE. I'm 24 and have had acne since I was 13, but taking a zinc supplement has been such a serious game changer!! I take a b-complex (I'm vegetarian), biotin, and 50mg zinc daily. I also run around 10 miles/week, but that's been consistent even when my acne was terrible. I'd highly recommend trying zinc if you've been struggling with hormonal acne, or if you've recently had a Paragard placed.

This product is astounding. Whilst I have tried every over the counter product, this by far works 10x better than any topical product I have tried. I have only been using for a week or so, and my acne has recovered IMMENSELY! I have stopped getting my painful acne and all my scars, which there were a lot of, have started vanishing. I have struggled with acne since age 14, I am 17 now and the acne has progressively gotten worse. Only since I have changed my diet and lifestyle choices did I see some improvement, but nothing as drastic as taking Zinc. At one point I was using ten different products a day, and I must have spent at least 750$ on treatments. Now, along with Zinc, proper exsersize , tons of fresh air and minimizing chemical junk, I have gotten an AMAZING facelift. I noticed that my acne scars faded quite quickly and the two new pimples I got have almost disappeared in two days. It's an amazing feeling right now. Hope that it lasts. You should definetly try this and see if it will work for you :) My current treatment is: 100 mg Zinc a day 1000 IU Vitamin C Vitamin A and E and Copper and Iron supplements, so the Zinc doesn't hurt me For a face wash, I use Snap Clear Skin, twice a day And use Calendula as a toner :) That's it, aside from a diet of vegetables, fruits and healty meat I completely cut out Pop, carbonated drinks, chocolate and Fast food

been taking zinc off and on for over 2 years and it's one of the most effective things for fighting acne. It doesn't completely stop some of harmone acne but it does work for the rest. One warning about zinc is that taking too much of it can cause an imbalance of vitamins and minerals in the body, one of them being copper levels. Two months on and a month off is best.

I been taking zinc 35-60mg for about 2 weeks and only now felt effect, if new breakouts appears it heals in hours! Also i noticed amazing increased in libido and strenght. I recommend give zinc a try for atleast few months!

26, moderate breakouts. 1 Zinc Chelate tablet a day 25mg. My skin hasn't been this clear in 12 years. Where has this been all my life?

for some people, this is really the ticket. I don't think it will help everyone so well, but PLEASE give it a try. I waited way too long.

I created an account on this site just to rave about what zinc has done for my skin! I'm a 28-year-old woman and have been dealing with adult acne since I was 13. I've taken accutane twice, birth control, and antibiotics several times to control this problem, all of which only worked short-tem. I started taking zinc because I heard it prevented cold sore, and my skin cleared up at the same time. I attributed this to a topical treatment. My doctor recommending stopping zinc because he was dubious about its benefits. After stopping, I started getting the same old painful, large zits! I finally made the connection, and after starting zinc again, I haven't had one new painful breakout. My skin is on its way to looking great once again! I take 50 mg of zinc in a divided dose (with breakfast and dinner).

I took 100mg per day. Zinc is very cheap and easy to use, and as far as I know it is not dangerous. It removed all of my inflamed pimples, now I just have to get rid of my excess oil. It also helps pimples heal and not turn into scars. Zinc got rid of about 50% of my skin problems by itself, and considering how easy it is and that nothing cures acne by itself, zinc is amazing. Just buy it and use it for at least a few weeks, and your skin will improve.

28, 10 years w adult acne, vegetarian (so lacked Zinc in my diet). Less than a week on 50 mg of Zinc (bottle doesn't specify the type) and my skin has dramatically improved. Strongly recommend this!! Made me start my period early because Zinc impacts the menstruation cycle but worth it for having clear skin. SO much easier/cheaper/more effective than the dozens of other products I've tried. TRY IT!