{"id":32082,"date":"2022-10-21T14:09:01","date_gmt":"2022-10-21T14:09:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=32082"},"modified":"2022-10-21T14:09:06","modified_gmt":"2022-10-21T14:09:06","slug":"vitamin-b-acne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/vitamin-b-acne\/","title":{"rendered":"A Deficiency in This Vitamin Might Be the Cause of Your Acne Breakouts"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are so many causes of acne\u2014from genetics to hormones to daily habits. But one surprising cause might be a deficiency in a certain nutrient. Experts explain how B vitamins and acne are linked, below.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

Acne breakouts are frustrating, to say the least. And while you might have luck here and there with a pimple patch or drying cream, nothing gets rid of acne like getting down to the root cause of a breakout. While pimples can show face for a multitude of reasons, one common nutrient deficiency might be the reason you\u2019re constantly playing Whac-A-Mole with your complexion, and it\u2019s woefully underdiagnosed and treated. We\u2019re talking about vitamin B deficiency, and how its lack of presence in your diet could get in the way of clearer, more radiant-looking skin.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

\u201cSkin health is not typically the first thing that comes to mind when considering a B vitamin deficiency, but being deficient in these water-soluble vitamins can wreak havoc on your skin,\u201d says Lisa Richards<\/a>, a nutritionist and author of the Candida Diet. \u201cBecause they are vital to cell renewal and balancing stress responses, lacking in these vitamins can cause acne breakouts, cracked skin, and rashes,\u201d she adds.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Discover how vitamin B and acne are linked, plus how to tell if you\u2019re deficient in this essential vitamin complex (and what to do about it), ahead.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

How a Deficiency in Vitamin B Causes Acne (and Other Skin Conditions)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Vitamin B consists of eight essential nutrients that play an important role in the body\u2019s function and overall health. When a deficiency occurs in one, some, or all B complex vitamins, it can show up on your skin in a variety of concerning ways, including making your skin more prone to acne breakouts (or making current acne breakouts worse). Here are all the ways a deficiency in vitamin B affects the skin.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Acne\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n

No matter what B vitamin you\u2019re deficient in, Richards says it can show up in the form of acne breakouts. \u201cOf the eight B vitamins, a deficiency in nearly all of them can lead to an acne breakout,\u201d she explains. Since B12 is anti-inflammatory, a deficiency in this essential vitamin can make existing acne worse without that additional line of defense. \u201cBiotin is naturally anti-fungal, making a lack of this B vitamin cause and exacerbate acne,\u201d says Richards. Additionally, B2 is necessary for zinc<\/a> absorption, which is a mineral known to reduce the swelling and redness caused by acne.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Rashes\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n

\u201cB vitamin deficiencies can lead to skin rashes and seborrheic dermatitis,\u201d says Richards. One of the most important B vitamins for rash prevention is Biotic\u2014aka B7\u2014which is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties and can help prevent and ward off itchy and uncomfortable skin rashes. Another specific sign to look out for of vitamin B12<\/a> deficiency is cracked lip corners<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

Wrinkles<\/h3>\n\n\n

According to Richards, B vitamins are also anti-aging, as they are important for skin hydration and their anti-inflammatory impact on the skin. \u201cWhen the skin is chronically dehydrated, it is more prone to dry, flaky skin and, ultimately, wrinkles,\u201d says Richards.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Hyperpigmentation<\/h3>\n\n\n

Another way a vitamin B deficiency shows up in the skin is through skin color, particularly hyperpigmentation. According to research<\/a>, this vitamin B deficiency symptom is more common in those with darker skin types and is caused by an increase in melanin synthesis<\/p>\n\n\n

How to Know If You Have a Vitamin B Deficiency\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n

The best way to know if you are deficient in any B vitamins is through bloodwork, which can tell you whether or not you have a deficiency and, if you do, how severe the deficiency is. If you are vegan, vegetarian, or otherwise eat a heavily plant-based diet<\/a>, you should have your levels checked more regularly, as B vitamins are mainly found in animal products.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

With that said, there are some symptoms that could indicate a vitamin B deficiency and prompt you to schedule a bloodwork appointment with your doctor. \u201cFatigue is one of the most obvious and first signs of B vitamin deficiencies,\u201d says Richards. Other symptoms of vitamin B deficiency include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n