When trying to find the best pill for acne we always want to know the negative side effects that may come along with them; one of those being weight gain.
In order to know which pills are good for preventing pimples without weight gain we must know what they contain and how they can be beneficial for our skin and overall health.
What Are The Popular Acne Medication Pills?
The Effectiveness of Birth Control
Birth control is very common for women to take when they have acne as the blemishes they have are hormonal. Hormonal acne consists of cysts which are sac-like blemishes filled with pus which can be very painful. Other types of hormonal pimples include white bumps which do not pop when they get to the surface.
Birth control pills contain estrogen and progestin which are hormones that are naturally produced by women’s bodies but just in different amounts to stop ovulation. At the same time it also lowers testosterone which is an androgen (male sex hormone) which causes acne because it increases sebum or oil production.
Even though birth control is effective at controlling acne unfortunately they can make you gain body fat in a few ways. Estrogen and progestin cause fluid retention which will make us hold water throughout our body. This gain can be temporary as we can take diuretics which flush out excess water from our body. It is also advised to watch your sodium intake as sodium can make us bloated.
Pills with progestin as the dominant hormone may cause permanent gain in body fat as it can increase appetite and make us over-eat. Many times there are negative side effects that come along with taking birth control pills like depression which may also cause unnecessary snacking.
We should always be mindful of our diet especially when taking birth control pills. Sugar, high-glycemic carbs, and dairy not only cause breakouts but will cause us to gain weight over time as well. Instead we should eat a diet including green vegetables, low-glycemic carbohydrates like quinoa, sweet potatoes, and oatmeal, as well as switching to unsweetened almond or coconut milk from cow’s milk.
Can Acne Antibiotics Cause Weight Gain?
Acne antibiotics are prescribed by a doctor as they are synthetic medications for treating severe bacterial acne infections.
These treatments are commonly used after all other options have been exhausted but do not provide permanent relief and acne will reoccur in the future as they kill important bacteria in your gut which is necessary for the prevention of breakouts.
The important bacteria called “gut flora” is destroyed when we take antibiotics and low levels of gut flora, specifically Bifidobacterium, has been linked to skin issues like eczema. A study has also shown that this bacteria helped reduce weight in obese rats.
These gut flora have effects on our blood sugar levels, how we store fat, and controls the hormones that allow us to feel full and which when not functioning properly can cause us to become fat.
Are There Natural Alternative Treatments for Acne That Do Not Cause Weight Gain?
Does Acnetame Make You Gain Weight?
This OTC acne treatment is mix of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acid which are extremely effective for treating acne and also do not cause an increase in body fat. These ingredients work synergistically to reduce oil production, inflammation, and redness in existing blemishes while preventing new breakouts from appearing.
Among these ingredients are vitamins A, B5, and B3 which are necessary for reducing oil production and unclogging pores. Many times we do not receive enough of these nutrients through our diet to help our skin which is why Acnetame can be a very effective supplement for those who are suffering from pimples.
One ingredient specifically called Selenium may aid in fat loss as selenium is a natural thyroid booster which regulates our metabolism. It helps promote healthy skin as it is an antioxidants, adds elasticity, and reduces inflammation.
Another ingredient in this acne pill called N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) helps with pimples and weight loss as it is a natural form of sulfur which is a powerful detoxifier that helps our liver remove waste and harmful toxins to prevent build up of clogged pores.
As a weight loss supplement, NAC has been shown to help with building muscle which consequently burns fat when having a disciplined workout routine and diet. It is also known to help stabilize our insulin which plays a role in weight loss or weight gain as when our blood sugar levels fluctuate we can experience fatigue and feel like over-eating to get our energy back.
We can stabilize our blood sugar by eating foods like nuts and whole grains as they contain fiber which will prevent these insulin spikes.
Fish Oil for Acne and Weight Loss
Fish oil is an omega-3 essential fat which is literally essential for our body to function properly. Many people lack this important fat in their diet which causes side effects such as fatigue and increased body fat as well as dry, acne-prone skin.
This omega-3 helps prevent acne by regulating our hormones. When our body is not balanced we can feel a number of things; we may have mood swings, feel hungry all the time and not get enough sleep (just to name a few); which all effect our skin health in a negative way.
Fish oil is an anti-inflammatory which may help reduce redness in existing blemishes and pimples. Because acne is anti-inflammatory skin issue, fish oil may be very beneficial. The omega-3s in fish oil have also been shown to reduce the amount of the molecule called leukotriene B4 which increases sebum production.
This essential fat can help maintain the number we see on the scale and even possibly help us lose weight as it boosts our thyroid hormones in our liver cells to burn fat. As mentioned earlier, our thyroid is what regulates our metabolism and if our metabolism isn’t up to par then we can easily gain weight and experience skin issues such as breakouts.
Herbs
Herbs are very underused but are very effective for treating acne and preventing weight gain. Many of these herbs can be applied directly to the skin or by ingesting them through food but they also come in pill and capsule form as well.
Oregano Oil Used for Pimples
This herb has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties which prevent bacteria from clogging our pores and causing breakouts. It is just an overall great herb to take for our skin and immune system.
There is an active ingredient in oregano oil called carvacrol and a new animal study shows that it aids in weight loss as it reduces the amount of white adipose tissue which is one of the two types of tissue found in mammals. White adipose tissue composes as much as 20% of the body weight in men and 25% of the body weight in women.
Is Aloe Vera Effective for Breakouts?
Aloe contains numerous enzymes, proteins, minerals, and amino acids including selenium which aid in weight loss and preventing acne. These nutrients have anti-inflammatory properties which help reduce the appearance of blemishes.
As a detoxifier it cleans out our entire system by ridding of waste through our skin, bowel movements, liver, and lymph system. It contains fiber which helps keep our digestive system functioning properly by preventing bloat and regulating our bowel movements. When we retain water or haven’t gone to the bathroom we can see that the scale tells us a higher weight than what we really should be.
It is most effective when you drink it but it also comes in capsule form which will give you the same benefits but you may have to take more at once. When taking aloe you want to make sure that it is the whole leaf aloe vera juice which will work faster and will have more benefits on our health.
Green Tea Helps to Lose Weight
Green tea is a thermogenic meaning it increases the body’s temperature which burns fat. If you have ever drank green tea you may feel very warm which is it’s thermogenic effect. This is why it is contained in many weight loss pills.
It has also been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar levels which when not stable can cause Type II diabetes and weight gain.
Green tea also helps prevent breakouts as it contains antioxidants which protect skin cells from damage from free radicals. These antioxidants including Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), polyphenols and flavanoids kill bacteria that can cause pimples.
To Sum It Up
Depending on which acne treatment you choose you may experience weight gain. Some pills come with risks like birth control and antibiotics whereas natural treatments may be a safer and more effective option in the long-term.
All treatments affect people differently as we all have our own body chemistry so what works for one may not work for the other. We also need to take into consideration our specific skin type and acne type when considering a treatment.
This information is strictly for entertainment purposes only. You should always consult a doctor before taking any medication or supplement.
