While many acne treatments include synthetic ingredients, cod liver oil for acne is an all-natural treatment that may really help your skin. There's not yet definitive research on its effectiveness, but many people swear by cod liver oil's acne benefits. Read on to learn how this supplement has helped others, and discover the ins and outs of using it yourself.



What Others Say
Often, the best evidence for a cod liver oil acne treatment comes not from scientific research but from the testimonies of sufferers who have tried it. This is certainly the case for cod liver oil for acne since official research on its effectiveness is slim, but the testimonies of satisfied users could fill a book.

Reviewers on MakeupAlley.com give cod liver oil for acne a rating of 4.6 out of 5. In other words, the majority of reviewers have found this treatment helpful for their acne woes. A reviewer shares, "It has stopped almost all of my regular breakouts." Users mention not only clearer skin as a benefit, but also all-around healthier -- even glowing -- complexions. One reviewer summarizes, "I will never stop taking this."

How It May Help
If cod liver oil's acne-fighting powers are really as great as some people claim, there must be some evidence for its effectiveness, right? Yes, as a matter of fact, there is. No large-scale studies have verified the reliability of cod liver oil for acne, but there are scientific explanations for how its use could benefit skin.

First of all, cod liver oil is packed with vitamin A. Vitamin A encourages healthy cell regeneration. Vitamin A does not speed up the process of bringing new, healthy cells to the surface, but it does help your body do it to the best of its ability.

Cod liver oil also gives your body a boost of vitamin D. In fact, it's one of the few foods that contains this nutrient naturally. Vitamin D helps with the renewal process of your skin's keratinocyte cells.

Finally, cod liver oil contains a moderate dose of omega-3s. These can help balance out the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids in your body. Acne is a type of inflammation, and a proper balance of omega-3s to omega-6s can reduce inflammation.

What to Do
If you are intrigued by the possibilities of what a cod liver oil acne treatment can do for your skin, here's what you need to know about taking it. Cod liver oil is not the same as other fish oil. Most fish oil has too much omega-3 fatty acid to be effective in the fight against acne. Stick with cod liver oil.

Cod liver oil comes in liquid and capsule forms. Be sure to follow the dosing instructions that come with your oil. Although vitamin A is good for you, too much can be a bad thing. The recommended daily allowance of this vitamin is 2.300 IU for women, so take that into account when you determine how much cod liver oil to consume daily.