Benefits of Saw Palmetto for Acne

by Vorst Canada November 02, 2021

saw palmetto for acne

DISCLAIMER: This article has been written for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Acne is considered one of the most irritating skin issues, especially in women. Though there’re countless chemical treatments and skincare products are available for treating acne nowadays, none of them can eliminate the issue from its root. Besides, synthetic substances often produce unpleasant side effects, thereby worsening the issue in most cases.

Therefore, a large number of people turning to natural solutions for acne, and saw palmetto has been found one of the most sought-after natural acne solutions over recent years.

In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about the benefits of saw palmetto for acne. But, before getting started with the saw palmetto, it’s worth knowing about the basics of acne a little bit more.

Table of contents

What is acne?
Symptoms of acne
Causes of acne
What is saw palmetto?
Benefits of saw palmetto for acne
Other benefits of saw palmetto
How to use saw palmetto?
Precautions and side effects
Final words
Disclaimer

What is acne?

Acne is a condition of the skin in which hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead cells of the skin. It causes pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. Though acne may affect all age groups, it’s most common among young adults and teenagers.

Symptoms of acne

Acne symptoms vary depending on the underlying root causes and severity of the conditions.

Common symptoms may include –

Blackheads
Whiteheads
Pimples
Red tender bumps
Painful lumps under the skin
Cystic lesions

Causes of acne

There’re 4 main factors that can cause acne –

Excess sebum (oil) secretion
Hair follicles blocked with oil and dead cells of the skin
Inflammation
Bacteria

Certain factors that trigger or worsen acne conditions

Hormonal changes
Certain foods
Stress
Certain medications

Frequent hormonal changes are the main evil behind most acne cases. During puberty, excess amounts of androgens cause more sebum secretion which may lead to acne.

Hormone changes in midlife, particularly over secretion of testosterone may also cause inflammation of sebaceous glands, resulting in acne in adults.

What is saw palmetto

Saw palmetto, botanically known as Serenoa repens, is a palm-like tree native to the subtropical Southeastern United States. Mainly its fruits are used to prepare medicines.

Though the use of saw palmetto has long been limited to the management and prevention of enlarged prostate, medically known as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), in men, recent studies have been focused on its effectiveness in treating acne and hair loss.

Benefits of saw palmetto for acne

Saw palmetto is considered to be one of the most effective natural solutions for acne. Though scientific clarifications are very limited, people who have tried saw palmetto for acne are happy with the results.

The polysaccharide components present in saw palmetto extract show strong anti-inflammatory properties. in addition, they have significant positive effects on the immune system. Therefore, the extract of saw palmetto may produce beneficial effects in preventing inflammatory skin problems such as acne breakouts.

Saw palmetto is assumed to play a vital role in blocking the process of breaking down testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a major cause of higher androgen levels. Hence, saw palmetto is called anti-androgen.

According to the International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, due to its anti-androgen properties, saw palmetto has the potential to reduce androgen levels to inhibit oily skin and can improve acne.

Besides, saw palmetto contains certain essential fatty acids such as palmitate, linoleate, and laurate that may help the skin stay hydrated and nourished. These essential oils can help reduce skin irritation and may have beneficial effects on oily and acne-prone skin.

Other benefits of saw palmetto

Apart from acne curing properties, saw palmetto has many different health benefits.

Here’re some common benefits of saw palmetto –

Supports prostate health
Prevents hair loss
Reduces inflammation
Balances hormonal levels especially testosterone levels
Improves urinary tract function

How to use saw palmetto

The easiest and most effective way to use saw palmetto is taking it as a supplement in capsule, tablets, powder, or tincture form.

There’re no specific doses that healthcare providers recommend. Dosages used in clinical trials are mostly either 320 mg daily or 160 mg twice a day. Always check with your healthcare provider, before using the saw palmetto supplement.

Other ways to use saw palmetto for acne may include –

Eat ripe berries of saw palmetto
Add saw palmetto essential oil into a carrier oil such as olive oil, jojoba oil, or coconut oil as per your skin type and apply topically to the affected area
Use a cream, toner, or lotion that contains saw palmetto extract as an ingredient

Precautions and side effects

Saw palmetto has generally been found safe and well-tolerated in most people. It usually doesn’t produce any serious side effects.

However, rare and mild side effects may include –

Stomach upset
Nausea
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Brushing
Headache
Rhinitis
Decrease in sex drive
Liver issues

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid saw palmetto as it can impact hormones. Saw palmetto may interact with some prescription drugs such as blood-thinning medications and increase bleeding risk.

If you have any medical condition, and are taking prescription drugs, or are breastfeeding or pregnant, be sure to ask your healthcare professional prior to using the saw palmetto supplement.

Final words

Throughout history, saw palmetto has been used for skincare by Native Americans, commonly in the form of a tonic and antiseptic for curing a variety of issues. The extract of saw palmetto is packed with plant sterols, healthy fatty acids, and immune-boosting components that are ideal for treating acne conditions.

Note: Whenever you consider buying a saw palmetto supplement or saw palmetto-containing product, make sure the ingredients used in the product are absolutely pure, natural, and don’t contain any synthetic substances. Synthetic substances may produce unexpected adverse effects on the skin and may worsen the acne condition.

Check out Vorst’s pure natural Saw Palmetto that’s made from premium saw palmetto and doesn’t contain any chemicals, yeasts, gluten, or dairy ingredients.

Disclaimer – This article contains general information and never substitutes any prescribed medical guide. Always ask for direct supervision of your doctor to use any part of this article.

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