Lactoferrin and Its Effect on Acne
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin condition in the country, affecting over 50 million Americans every year. Treatments for acne include a wide range of ingredients and methods of delivery, but ongoing research suggests that lactoferrin may help to effectively treat acne.
Understanding Acne
Acne originates in the sebaceous glands of the pores. These glands secrete sebum, an oily substance that normally acts to moisturize the skin and protect it from harmful bacteria and pathogens. Oils also carry dead skin cells from the follicles to the surface of the skin. Unfortunately, excess sebum (often a result of hormonal changes) causes a blockage of oil and dead skin cells. This creates an environment where bacteria can thrive, which results in inflammation, characterized by swelling, redness, and pain.
Acne most commonly appears as whiteheads or blackheads, both of which are categorized as comedones. Whiteheads stay closed just under the surface of the skin, producing a small blemish filled with white pus. Blackheads remain open at the surface of the skin. The dark appearance results from oxygen interacting with melatonin in the pores. Along with whitehead and blackheads, acne can manifest in the form of various inflammatory lesions, including:
- Cysts – Large, painful lumps that contain pus and exist deep under the skin
- Papules – Small, red, raised bumps that develop from inflamed, infected hair follicles
- Pustules – Small, red bumps that often have pus at their tips (similar to whiteheads)
- Nodules – Solid, painful lumps located under the skin’s surface
What Causes Acne?
While the exact scientific cause(s) of acne still requires research, the four main factors that contribute to acne are:
- Excess sebum production
- Hair follicles that have been clogged by oil or dead skin cells
- Overactive hormones (particularly androgens)
- Bacteria
The primary acne-causing strain of bacteria is known as Propionibacterium acnes. P. acnes lives in the oily regions of the pores and can aggravate the immune responses that cause the inflamed, swollen bumps that eventually develop into acne.
What is Lactoferrin?
Lactoferrin is a type of protein found naturally in cow milk and human milk as well as various other bodily fluids, including tears, saliva, and bile. However, it is most plentiful in colostrum, the milk-like fluid produced by female mammals in the first few days after giving birth to their young; colostrum production begins to taper off after about 72 hours, after which “true milk” is produced. Colostrum reportedly contains up to seven times as much lactoferrin as mature milk.
Lactoferrin’s main role involves supporting the immune system, and studies have shown it helps protect the body against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other potentially harmful microbes. Lactoferrin can also help:
- Support iron homeostasis, ensuring that the body maintains enough of the mineral
- Regulates analgesics, which are medications designed to help the central nervous system deal with pain
- Regulate bone metabolism to support the removal of old bone material and replace it with new bone tissue
- Maintain a normal immune response
Iron and Lactoferrin
Iron is necessary to the synthesis of hemoglobin, the main protein that carries oxygen to red blood cells. However, as important as iron is to overall health, it also tends to be a magnet for pathogens. Harmful bacteria and viruses often consume it to thrive and reproduce within the body. Having too much iron in your system actually puts your health at risk by giving pathogens the food they need to grow and multiply, thus causing infections.
Although iron deficiencies can result in anemia, too much of the mineral can result in hemochromatosis, which can lead to:
- Iron deposits in the liver
- Certain neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s diseases
- Chronic inflammation
- Overgrowth of gut pathogens, which may contribute to dysbiosis (imbalance of the gut microbiome)
Lactoferrin has the crucial role of regulating iron levels and removing excess iron to optimize health.
Lactoferrin and Acne
Lactoferrin works in several ways to potentially improve acne.
- Iron Regulation
Through its iron-regulating role, lactoferrin essentially gets rid of the main food source for pathogens, including P. acnes. By starving P. acnes, lactoferrin can help to neutralize one of the main contributors to acne. - Antioxidant Properties
Along with its iron-regulating abilities, lactoferrin has also been shown to possess powerful antioxidant properties. Antioxidants work to combat free radicals, which have been created through the natural process of oxidation. Free radicals are known to cause damage to cells, tissue, and DNA itself, resulting in ongoing oxidative stress, which can promote inflammation leading to the formation of acne. - Anti-inflammatory and Skin Healing Properties
Lactoferrin also offers anti-inflammatory properties. Remember that inflammation plays a large role in pore clogging and the formation of acne. Soothing inflammation can help to keep larger zits and cysts from ever forming. Lactoferrin also helps to heal wounds by stimulating connective tissue and epidermal cells to regenerate skin cells, all of which contributes to healing acne lesions. - Gut Health
Most statements about diet and acne are myths (chocolate and greasy foods probably won’t trigger acne), but gut health is closely tied to acne formation. Poor gut and digestive health can lead to acne or exacerbate existing acne lesions. You already know that lactoferrin can help to neutralize and eliminate harmful bacteria, but lactoferrin can also help to feed the beneficial gut bacteria. Healthy gut flora can help to promote proper digestion and nutrient absorption.
DrK’s Repair& Purify Premium Serum and Lactoferrin for Acne
In the DrK serum for Acne we use Bovine Colostrum that is harvest within the first 5 min after birth which ensures that we use the purest form of Colostrum that carries the highest amount of Lactoferin.
Other Ways to Improve Acne
In addition to using lactoferrin containing products, making some small lifestyle changes can go a long way to helping improve your acne.
- Drink more water – Staying hydrated is good for your overall health, but it can also help to flush out toxins and keep your body moisturized from the inside out. Drinking water can also help to increase blood flow to the skin.
- Stay active – Stress is one of the biggest contributors to acne and general ill health. One of the best ways to combat excess stress is to get some daily exercise. Staying active also increases blood circulation, which gives skin cells more oxygen and nutrients and helps to carry away cellular waste. Just make sure you wash away any sweat after your workout as sweat can irritate your skin and aggravate existing acne.
- Wash your face twice a day – Wash your face thoroughly but gently twice a day using a scent-free face cleanser. This helps to control oil secretions and wash away dirt, dead skin cells, and other pore-clogging debris. After cleansing, consider using a topical acne treatment, like salicylic acid, to actively combat breakouts.
- Wear sunscreen – Sun exposure can damage your skin, which may increase inflammation. This can lead to more acne and dark spots. More importantly, unprotected sun exposure increases your risk of skin cancer.
- Avoid touching your face – As tempting as it might be, don’t squeeze or pick at your acne.
- Take an oral Probiotic supplement with your DrK Acne Treatment Routine
Acne can be difficult to control, which can truly affect your confidence and self-esteem but do not beat yourself up if it gets too hard. While it is okay to feel sad, annoyed, or angry about your acne, understand that your acne does not define you or who you are.