If you’re looking at natural ways to heal acne and have heard about the potential of adding maca to your diet for this purpose, you’re in the right place. In this article, we take a deeper dive into how maca root can help people overcome the symptoms of hormonal acne naturally. We’ll cover the following topics:
Maca is a root vegetable native to the very high Andes (it grows above 13,000 feet/3900 m) that has been used for centuries as a nutritionally dense and potent food source. Maca root powder, maca root capsules and maca extracts have shown wide-ranging benefits. That’s in part because maca, like the more widely known ginseng, is an adaptogenic food, which supports the body to heal itself. In addition, because of its content of alkaloids, glucosinolates, flavonoids and phytohormones, researchers consider maca to be a natural stimulant for the hypothalamus and pituitary, which in turn stimulate the endocrine glands such as the thyroid, pancreas, adrenals, ovaries and testes to produce the hormones needed to maintain the homeostasis of the human body. (link).
In simpler words, consistently consuming the right amount of a high quality maca product can lead to a more balanced hormonal system.
Acne is most commonly associated with the hormonal ups and downs during teenage years, but adults also experience acne. Acne among adults is often simply called “hormonal acne” and is linked with unbalanced androgen levels. Poor diet, menstruation, menopause, stress and generally high androgen levels are causative factors for acne outbreaks past puberty.
The common treatments of mild hormonal acne are topical medicines such as antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide and dapsone. For more persistent outbreaks, oral medications such as doxycycline, drospirenone and flutamide are commonly prescribed.
These interventions can have undesirable side effects, which has caused many to seek natural alternatives such as maca as a treatment for acne.
In circumstances where acne is related to an imbalance of hormones, adding maca to your diet can be extremely productive as a treatment. Since maca is a food with no known side effects, it’s much easier for the body to process than drugs. Over the years of selling maca, we’ve received positive feedback about maca root benefits for skin and its effect on acne from many users. Here are a few of the most impressive comments from customers who have treated their acne naturally with maca products:
“My skin has all of a sudden started clearing, and it’s clearer than it has been in months, my mood is great, I’m happy all the time, and I’m sleeping really well and have had none of those symptoms that I had before. I counted 10 cysts on my face at Christmas, now I only have a few that but they’re all very small and healing now. I’m thinking maca is the answer for me…” --Franie
I ordered the red maca capsules (link) and started taking them 4 days ago. Wow, I am amazed. I have been struggling with adult acne for the past year and a half. I've spent hundreds of dollars on various acne regiments which only dried my face out and did not help with my cystic acne. A few months ago, I broke down and went to the dermatologist who put me on a harsh week-long antibiotic, spironolactone, and a face cream. I had marginal improvement over the past three months. Then I decided to give maca a try. Within 2 days, my acne was diminishing. I could not believe it. I am seeing so much improvement in my complexion every day. I also feel great and so energized throughout the day. I am so excited about your product. I can't wait to see continued results over the next month!” – Danielle Wayda
"I love that something natural diminishes my adult acne. It just vanished!" - Amy Gillentine
"I have been taking maca for about a month now and I’m actually going to stop my birth control and just take maca. My acne was so bad that I needed to get on b.c. to balance my hormones. Since taking the maca my acne has lessened and my hormones and periods have been so regular. My mood is stable and it's all around a wonderful peruvian root and I would recommend maca to anyone struggling with hormone imbalance. Also, it's helped my libido a lot and gives me energy in the morning! Lots of love fromthis maca family" - Danielle Jenkins
"This product has worked well for me and my adult daughter in balancing our hormones. Mine for post menopause symptoms and for her, no more acne breakouts and less menstrual cycle cramping since taking Red Maca everyday." - Jan
"I've had cystic acne since my teens, I am now in my 30's and have been on and off birth control for a decade since literally nothing else phases my acne and living with it is painful, uncomfortable, unsightly and embarrassing. I started taking Red Maca (4 capsules every day) and I have not had one breakout since. It’s been about 3-4 months so far. I can't believe how well it works, I have tried every over the counter product and dermatologist prescription and nothing has worked like this (except the birth control, but we all know how bad that is for you) Thank you to The Maca Team (link) for basically changing my life :)" –Brie
More customer comments about taking maca for acne…
As you can see from the comments above, most of the success stories came by customers simply adding maca as part of a health promoting daily diet. That said, while maca is indeed powerful, there are other things that can complement it and support an acne free condition.
These include to:
Combining these with maca is likely to help clear up symptoms of acne quicker and more effectively.
If you plan on using maca powder for acne treatment, there are four key points that will help you get the most out of it.
One: Start with smaller amounts. Maca root is a powerful functional food (superfood) that can give you more energy than you are used to. For a person weighing about 150 lbs / 68 kg, it’s typical to start with one teaspoon of maca powder per day. A teaspoon is 3 grams of powder or about 4 capsules. If you feel comfortable with that amount of maca after one week, you can increase to 1.5 teaspoons. You can continue increasing dosage all the way up to 3 teaspoons per day as long as you feel comfortable with that.
Two: consistency is key. Functional foods are not the same as medicines in that they tend to build up in the body over time. Therefore, it is vital to give the maca enough time to work. Most people will see initial results within 4-6 weeks. For some, it’s sooner and for others it’s takes a bit longer. So, make sure to take your maca every day. We typically recommend taking it in the morning.
Three: it is possible that maca can temporarily make your symptoms worse. It’s not that common, but if that happens to you, don’t panic. And don’t stop taking maca. Simply reduce the amount you are taking and stay with it. As your body comes back into hormonal balance, the symptoms will diminish.
Four: Make sure you have the right kind of high quality Peruvian grown maca product to begin with. See our discussion on that directly below…
We recommend our family of red maca products. We have several types. If you are new to maca we suggest first trying our standard (not premium) maca products as most people find that they taste better. If you have sensitive digestion, go for a gelatinized (pre-cooked) maca over a raw one. We also suggest that you add a bottle of our red maca extract to your order. You can take a couple droppersful of the extract in addition to the powder or capsules for faster results.
Remember that using natural treatments for acne will take some time to be effective. They are, however, gentler on the body than medicine. Plus they are longer lasting. Natural remedies, such as taking maca for acne, are designed to help you heal the causes of the condition and not just cover over the symptoms. We wish you all the best in your healing journey and if there is anything we can do to help, please let us know. We are happy to support you!
Enjoy the day!
I shop around a lot for my supplements and health foods, and I have to say you guys at The Maca Team are light years ahead of anyone else selling maca out in the marketplace. Thanks for all you do!
By Jim Price, The Green Marketing Guru
Loving the red maca from themacateam. I can tell the difference from my usual store-bought brands. It really tastes so fresh and sweet compared to others. I really love this product. Thanks for sourcing it for us to enjoy
By Michelle Gebbia
I LOVE Maca Team Maca...this was my first purchase with the Maca Team and I have no need to try any other Maca-producer. The Maca tastes fresh and flavorful, the Kilo bag is a great price, and I feel so much more at ease (Maca is such powerful medicine :) )
By Lizzie Thompson
I take 24 products from five to six times a week to increase my well-being and sensual and sexual delights. ;D The Maca Team’s organic maca is one of them—nine grams in my smoothie, Monday to Saturday. The Maca Team is a small business run by a family who cares about its customers, its Peruvian maca growers, and the environment. It's vital to know the source of everything we put in our mouths. Physical and mental health are precious treasures. :D
By Jerry Montero
By Milt Thompson
This product is amazing! I have used other cheaper brands of white maca with fairly good results, but after trying the Maca Team maca, I noticed within two weeks all of my menopausal symptoms had completely vanished. Others described a bad taste and smell, but I have tried the black and the red and find them both to be mild tasting. I use a tablespoon in my daily smoothly
By Joy
Maca first came to us by our vitamin supplier. Then we ordered from the Maca Team. Comparison? Think fire-fly, then think mid-day sun. At 76 and 73 years respectively, that is a big deal; and at comparable cost too. We never have we had such speedy delivery and the packaging is the strongest, most protective we've seen, ever, at all ... anywhere. Further, the Mrs. no longer takes hormone supplements. And Mr. scans the morning want ads for steady P/T work.
By George & Sherri
I had been using another brand of maca powder and decided to try The Maca Team's. The difference in freshness is night and day, and better tasting . I'm 6 foot 250 lbs. and take 4 teaspoons every day w/ my protein shake. Great energy boost and just feel great all day. I can tell a difference when I do not take it. best price that I have found {36oz}. I will be buying more as needed.
By J.D.
I've tried various maca brands over the last 20 years and The Maca Team brand is very special. There is definitely a difference when it comes to the quality and colors of the maca. This red maca does seem to nourish certain parts of my body while the black maca nourishes something else. I know I've been missing the nutrition these maca provide. I'm 75 years old and bodies wear out, but I'm finding I'm regaining a functioning body. How wonderful is this?!?!!!
By Janis Ihrig
I just wanted to thank you for your excellently constructed website. I am a physician and I recently started learning about Maca. I get a very good sense of it, and I expect I will try it out myself and possibly be recommending it to patients in the future. If so, your website will be the first place to send people. Thanks again.
By Adam Holt
Love the Maca team, In an earlier comment I said I was on the fence about where to buy Maca .Not anymore .You shouldn’t be either. The team has answered any questions I’ve had promptly. I feel like I’m dealing with friends, not some company far away out for my money only. The Maca is fresh, prices are good, the people are nice. If you’re on the fence, don’t be, you won’t be sorry.
By Bob
My Maca came in today and it has all the information on it! I must say this is the best tasting Maca I have tried!! Thank you again for a great product!! I will only order from you in future as well!
By Stormi Evans
First I would like to say I love this product. I was very skeptical about a natural product with so many benefits but this stuff really works. Second, I love this company. From the web site to the way they run their company this a top-notch team. I will be ordering from The Maca Team from now on. Great job guys keep doing what you are doing.
By Darren Rivers Sr.
We love this product. I own a store and work with clients holistically. We have recommended maca for years however, this is the highest quality product we have ever carried. I am proud to offer it in my store.
By Mellissa Gage, Infinity and Beyond
I am really happy that I chose the Maca Team, today you can find many distributors selling Maca powder, however quality of the powder is impossible to compare. Moreover, the results after 2 weeks I could feel. Before I was taking maca powder and I did not feel any changes. But since I started taking Maca from Maca Team the changes are incredible. So, I did a test.:) I gave the powder to my partner ... and after 2 weeks he was impressed and told me that he has more energy, feeling happy... Thank you The Maca Team!!!!
By Olga
I do want to say that I have done quite a bit of research on different companies that offer Maca and The Maca Team definitely is the most reputable. Thank you again for your kindness and professionalism :)
By T.C.
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