By now most online acne sufferers have probably heard of vitamin B5 acne treatment, but in case you haven't, B5 is known as one of the most effective natural acne solutions available. Unlike typical treatments, vitamin B5 (also known as Pantothenic Acid) has gained its popularity almost totally by word of mouth, spreading via internet forums following the discovery of a clinical study performed by Dr. Lit-Hung Leung in Singapore. In the study, high doses of vitamin B5 (ranging from 10 to 20 grams per day) were shown to increase the rate of sebum metabolism, leading to a total remission of acne for almost 100% of participants.
Now that B5 has become more popular, there is some debate over just what is the best way to take the vitamin in order to maximize effectiveness and decrease the chances of side effects. The possible side effects for B5 are mild compared to other acne treatments, but include stomach irritation and diarrhea.
The most common solution is to take standard vitamin B5 supplements in the form of capsules or tablets. The usual pill size is 500mg, meaning you would have to take 20 pills per day in order to get 10 grams (the average recommended dose to stop acne). For best results, pills should be taken at four intervals per day, since your body can only absorb so much at once. This solution works, but is certainly an inconvenient one for people who don't like to frequently take pills. Also, it can get expensive quickly. Another potential problem is simply the limitations of standard pills, in that your body can only absorb a fraction of the contents.
Another method is the use of pure B5 powder, taken with water. Powder has the advantage of being more easily absorbed by the body, meaning the B5 you take will be that much more potent. Also, vitamin B5 powder may be easier to take for people who dislike pills, and it almost always costs less. The main disadvantage is that it takes a bit more effort to prepare, as it does not easily dissolve in water, and also tastes quite horrible. Thankfully, due to its high absorbance, you may require less powder. However, you will still need to take it 3-4 times per day when starting out.
The last method is the use of time-release pills, and this is the one I most recommend. Time-release B5 has the advantage of a higher rate of absorbance, along with the convenience of taking pills rather than preparing the powder. Time-release pills are usually a bit more expensive than standard capsules or tablets, but this is generally offset by the fact that you need to take less due to the higher rate of absorbance. Unfortunately, even with time-release, in order to get enough B5 to stop acne you will still need to take doses at multiple times per day.
In order to minimize the chances of side effects, some vitamin B5 acne treatments include other vitamins in their formulas as well. These may help to a small degree, but with the high levels of B5 most users require, additional supplements are really the best way to avoid any deficiencies. For best results, a daily multivitamin and B-complex (with Biotin) should be taken.
Biotin is important in that it woks with B5 to improve the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins; and can be reduced by high amounts of vitamin B5. This is due to the fact that both vitamins are absorbed by the same receptor molecule, and thus are in competition (along with other B vitamins). In order to get the best level of absorbance, it's best to avoid competing with B5 and instead take your other supplements at a different time.
Vitamin B5 is both a highly effective and an extremely safe means to clearing up acne. It has worked for thousands, including myself. Whichever approach you choose, make sure you stick with a steady regimen, and you're almost certain to see results.
About the Author
Donald Amodeo is a former acne sufferer and webmaster of Acne-Vitamins.com. For more information and a complete guide to vitamins for acne, visit Acne-Vitamins.com.