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Vitamin A is one of many solutions used to help deal with acne. It is so effective in fact that prescription treatments like Accutane and Isotrex use it as a main ingredient. What is it in this vitamin that makes it work? And what are the risks and side effects of using this treatment for acne? Read on to learn more.

Vitamin A is an important nutrient needed by different parts of our body. Its most active form, retinol, is converted into retinal, which helps us see in the dark. Retinol is also converted into retinoic acid, a compound needed by the cells to multiply and specialize in function. It is also needed for the normal function of the linings of our lungs and respiratory tract.

Retinoic acid is also a vital component needed to keep skin healthy, strong and supple. It switches on genes needed for skin cells to mature, develop, and regenerate. The product Retin-A relies on this chemical to increase skin cell turnover and keep skin young-looking. A form of retinoic acid, isotretinoin, is popularly used to treat acne. It shrinks the sebaceous glands so that sebum or oil production on the skin is drastically reduced. Because of this, pores become smaller and the acne-causing bacteria that feed on oil in the pores and on skin disappear. Isotretinoin also minimizes the redness and inflammation of pimples.

Another form of vitamin A are carotenoids, precursors of retinol found in colorful plants and vegetables. Carotenoids also function as antioxidants that help protect the cells from toxins as well as help repair damaged skin.

Vitamin A in the form of retinol come from animal products. These include beef and chicken liver, milk, cheese, butter, margarine, egg whites and cod liver oil. Carotenoids, on the other hand, are abundant in vegetables like carrots, spinach, kale, peas, tomatoes and pepper and in fruits like cantaloupe, apricots, papaya, mango and peaches.

Vitamin A supplements are also sold in drugstores and health shops. In the United States, the recommended daily intake of vitamin A is 700 micrograms (or 2,310 IU) for adult females and 900 micrograms (or 3,000 IU) for adult males. Acne treatments like Accutane, Isotane, and Retin-A also contain elevated levels of vitamin A.

Overdosing on vitamin A may cause very serious side effects. The U.S. Institute of Medicine recommends a maximum of only 3,000 IU of Vitamin A. Any more than that and you're upping the chances of birth defects (in pregnant women), liver failure, bone weakening, and central nervous system damage. When taking vitamin A-based acne treaments, it is common to see a sudden flareup in acne, extreme dryness, irritation, flaking, and sensitivity.

There you have it - the pros and cons of vitamin A for acne. While this acne vitamin is worth trying especially for stubborn and severe acne, you can also look into other vitamins for acne that may have more health benefits than side effects.

Andi Allegre is a blogger, freelance writer, and skin care addict guilty of spending more than half her income on beauty and skin products. Once an acne-riddled teenager herself, she has found acne relief with the help of acne vitamins. Visit Acne-Vitamins.com to learn more about vitamin B5 acne treatment. This article may be republished provided that the author's information and all active links are left intact.