… It’s something you ingest.
I’m talking about cod liver oil. Again. Yep—lately, not a week goes by without me telling at least a couple of people (mostly in the comments here) about this best-kept beauty secret. So in case you missed all of that chit-chat… listen up, because this stuff is downright MIRACULOUS for acne and dull skin. AND your overall health (including boosting vitamin D levels).
And you thought I was going to say fish oil, or probiotics!
Nein and nein—it’s this bad boy right here that you need:
First, let me give you the backstory
Before I discovered the CLO (as geeky health freak types like me tend to call it), I’d been seeking something—anything!—to deal with persistent hormonal breakouts, usually around the chin and jawline, that would crop up like clockwork at that time of the month. (Sound familiar?)
Although dermatologist-prescribed meds always worked for me (I’ve taken the pill, short courses of antibiotics and spironolactone—an anti-androgen medication that is prescribed off-label for acne), I just didn’t want to take anything pharmaceutical anymore because to me, the side effects of all that stuff are pretty scary. And other derm treatments, like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, lasers and light therapies (all of which I’ve tried as a beauty ed) are stupidly expensive and the results don’t last. (Really, don’t even get me started on those…)
I’ve also had my blood tested and tried all kinds of naturopathic things—fish oil, probiotics, liver cleanses, you name it!—but none of them really made any marked difference. And after you dabble in all this stuff for a while, to no avail—even though the breakouts aren’t really that bad—you start to question WHY… why are the breakouts still happening and do I have a more serious underlying health issue?
Chances are, you probably don’t. You just are lacking certain nutrients that we don’t get in our modern diets.
And one of those happens to be vitamin A, which as you know, is in Accutane (a pretty scary drug in my opinion, despite what derms will tell you).
Why cod liver oil works for acne
The difference between the vitamin A in Accutane and the vitamin A in cod liver oil is that the latter is a natural, not synthetic source—and therefore carries less risk of toxicity in the body because it works synergisticaly with its other nutrients.
According to the Weston A. Price Foundation:
The claim that vitamin A in cod liver oil is toxic just doesn’t make sense in the context of traditional diets, which were very rich in vitamin A from liver, organ meats, seafood and the fats of grass-fed animals. The crux of Dr. Price’s research is that the diets of healthy primitive peoples contain about ten times more vitamin A than modern diets.
Doesn’t that make sense that we’d have a modern epidemic of acne now that we’re eating fewer of these foods?
I thought it was worth trying, at least, so I started taking it about six months or so ago. And OH EM GEE did I ever notice a difference in my skin. Not just in eradicating breakouts—I rarely get them anymore, and if I do, the blemish goes away very quickly and isn’t at all inflamed—but in the overall quality, texture and colour of my skin.
I glow, people! Really, I do—so much so that I’ve been asked what it is I’m doing differently and can they have some too!
It’s not just me who hearts this stuff
Reader Jenny started taking it and noticed similar results… and she also alerted me to blogger/vlogger Kandee Johnson, who calls it her “number one secret potion”:
My mom and BFF are also in on this and both noticed a glow and (in the case of my friend), NO. MORE. BREAKOUTS!
Other good things cod liver oil does for your health
It turns out our mothers were right (anyone else take this as a kid? Thanks Mom!). I haven’t gotten any colds since I started taking this—and because it’s also a fantastic source of vitamin D, it’s replaced the need for those synthetic vitamin D3 pills I used to take. (And on that note—just as the synthetic form of vitamin A can be toxic, so can vitamin D; that’s why the RDA of vitamin D is so low. You can ingest a much higher dose with this stuff if you simply follow the recommended dosage on the label.)
And as I’ve mentioned before, taking cod liver oil is also a better idea than following that misguided advice floating around about getting our vitamin D from 10 minutes a day in the sun. It’s actually REALLY difficult to do that, and traditionally humans have made up for the slack with foods (including liver, which I will bet you do not eat). Enter CLO!
Fun fact: I’ve read several testimonials from people taking CLO that they no longer burn in the sun! Weird and wonderful, no?
What brand to buy
Ideally, you want to be taking a high-quality, fermented cod liver oil because the cheaper, highly-processed ones tend to be stripped of the very vitamins that make it beneficial (for your skin and health).
I follow the recommendations of the Weston A. Price Foundation, which you can find here. My brand of choice is Green Pasture’s (which I order from the U.S.), and I actually take a cod liver oil/high-vitamin butter oil blend, which is said to be even MORE effective than the CLO alone. It’s available in capsules as well as the traditional liquid—but I’m a wimp and take the capsules!
HOWEVER—that’s not to say you won’t see results from a less pricey and more widely available brand. Carlson’s is the one that seems to be pretty decent (Jenny, Kandee and my friend all take it). You just have to be careful because the vitamin A and D need to be in the right proportion, otherwise you could initiate deficiencies of either one in your body…
For more info, check out the articles on the Weston A. Price Foundation’s website, which are a wealth of info on this stuff!
* Disclaimer: Please know that all of the above is just my opinion through personal experience—I’m not a doctor and definitely get medical advice if you suspect you might have a more serious skin or health condition. This is just what has worked for me, and lots of people I’ve shared it with.
So tell me…
Are you dealing with skin issues like breakouts or dullness? (Well, THAT sux, doesn’t it!)
Ever tried cod liver oil? Bet you will now, AMIRITE?
Doesn’t it drive you crazy when there’s a simple, inexpensive solution out there and yet NOBODY will tell you about it? My BFF and I call it The Acne Conspiracy.
{ 283 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for this post. Funny – timing of this post is perfect. I have always fought acne my whole life (I’m 39 this year) and I am going through major breakouts right now! The horrible below the skin boils that are causing me pain, look huge and sore and I literally don’t want to leave the house. I’m a makeup artist and know products well and part of my job is to recommend products and skin care routine to my clients. I also enjoy using essential oils to help with any “issues” that I am having, but nooootttthhhinnnngg has helped. I am going for blood tests and wonder if my hormones are out of wack! But now, I am running out tonight and getting me some cod liver oil. I will let you know if it helps. Thank you again, I love your blog!!!!! I will post a link to mine and perhaps to my own little before and after. Thanks again so much, I really hope this helps! Warmest, Nicki
Oh my gosh I’m so excited for you to try this! Honestly – I am like you, I tried *everything* to no avail… thought it was a hormone issue as well but my bloodwork always came back fine. And I used to get the same kind of thing – always under the skin and painful.
The CLO will take few weeks to work so be patient. There are some other tips here on diet that might help too: http://www.westonaprice.org/ask-the-doctor/200-acne.html
Oh and I’m not positive but I *think* the higher-quality brands (like Green Pastures) will produce better results… just FYI before you run out to buy the Carlson’s. I mean, the Carlson’s has been good for a lot of people but just anecdotally I’m not convinced their results were nearly as dramatic as mine with the Green Pastures brand. I order it online and the service is really good – arrives here within 3-4 days. I did see it at Whole Foods in Toronto – but they only had it in liquid format and it was pretty pricey – around $70.
I take 2-3 capsules a day just fyi.
Anyway – good luck Nicki! Please let me know how this works for you!
So I went out last night and grabbed a bottle of the Carlson brand so that I can at least start taking it right away – I’m desperate – which I started last night. I will order the CLO brand that you recommend. And I’m glad that you mentioned the caps as I wasn’t sure if they were as effective as the liquid form.
I will send you a message when I post a link to your site on my blog later today!
Cheers to clear, radiant, glowing skin and to sharing advice!!
Nicki
Here is my post linking to your post and I have even included a before pic – ugh! But I am on my way!!!
Heading over there now to read! Sending positive thoughts your way… really hope you get good results with this Nicki!
great article! have a few questions if you don’t mind…
1 – does green pasture ship to Canada?
2 – how long did it take for you to start seeing results?
3 – do you take regular fish oils?
4 – would love your thoughts on microdermabrasion, peels, etc. you alluded to it in the article, but I don’t know enough about the pros/cons to make an educated decision
many thanks!!!
Hi! Answers:
1. Yes they ship to Canada. You can order here: https://www.greenpasture.org/retail/checkout.php?s=products
I live in Toronto and anytime I’ve ordered it’s only taken 3-4 days to arrive and NO custom charges or duties!
As I said above, you can also find at Whole Foods – but they only have the liquid.
2. Can’t really remember – could’ve been anywhere from 2-4 weeks, I think? It will be gradual…
3. I used to, but not anymore – you can get the omegas/EFAs from CLO. (See here: http://www.westonaprice.org/know-your-fats/553-fatty-acid-requirements-for-women.html)
4. I just don’t think microderm and peels are necessary. While a bit of exfoliation is okay (say 1-2x a week) these methods are just too harsh and irritating. I know derms love them but I’m not convinced. Over time, if you do them regularly, I think they can make your skin really thin and fragile – and more susceptible to aging because it’s become more vulnerable to environmental assaults. I mean, it just doesn’t make sense to me that we “need” to put 40% glycolic acid on our faces to burn off the top layer—not unless you’ve had serious sun damage (and even then, lasers like Fraxel are a better choice).
I am 100% convinced that the CLO is a way more effective and safe choice for improving the look of your skin. Let me know if you try it!
Thanks!
I, too, have tried everything (including the dreaded Accutane, which made my life a living hell) and can’t wait to try CLO. Will let you know in about a month if I’m glowing
Yes, please let me know if you get results from it! Sending good skin vibes your way…
Thanks for this post! My skin is going crazy, and I’ve already ordered CLO. Can’t wait to try it!
Awesome! Please come back and tell me how it works for you!
I’m from Norway and we’re traditionally forced as children to drink a spoon of that stuff everyday. My mother sure did. I think it had something to do with some vitamins we don’t get naturally up here and then the government recommended that we drink that everyday in the 70s or something.
The most popular brand was founded in 1854 http://www.mollers.no/index.aspx
I actually googled it to see what it was in norwegian and went “Ahhh!” when I saw that it was (what we in norwegian call) tran.
Wow – 1854? That’s crazy! It’s funny how CLO was widely used all around the world from then right up until maybe the 1980s (I took it as a kid). Then for some reason it fell out of favour and NOBODY takes it now….people just talk about fish oil these days. It’s strange—and such a shame!
Anyway, doing my part to bring it back in fashion
Well that’s good, it’s still very popular here. I mean even the one kandee drinks is norwegian.
Hi!
I’ve also started taking fermented cod oil following your post, I am still waiting to see results but I’ll be patient and continue to see what happens. I bought my bottle (only the CLO, not the one mixed with the butter oil) from a small store in Ottawa (Mother Nature on Richmond Rd.). The owner did confirm that to her knowledge, Green Pasture’s CLO was the best on the market.
She also gave me this website for a clinic in Alberta that ships Green Pasture’s products Canada-wide. Not sure if it’s cheaper/more expensive than ordering from the U.S, but it’s always good to have an other option! (Michelle, looking at the price list and from your experience, could you tell which option looks to be more affordable?)
http://www.familyherbalclinic.com/products.html#green
How long have you been taking it and what brand is it? I’m thinking you’re right (and as I mentioned above) – the brand you take makes a difference in the results you see, and probably the butter oil makes it even more potent.
Darn! Or maybe you need to increase your dose…?
I think I remember reading about Mother Nature, as well as the Family Herbal Clinic, when I was sleuthing around where to buy this stuff. Family Herbal Clinic sells the caps for $54 but they’re only US$47 from Green Pasture direct, plus you get a discount if you order more than 5. (I’m obsessed so that’s what I do now.) The order comes pretty quickly and there are no customs/duties charges so seemed easier to order from the US – plus our $ is pretty good against the US right now.
I hope that helps! Let me know if you try the Green Pasture’s!
They are 46 tax and shipping included, to ON now…so there has been a price reduction and again a discount on bulk orders.
Great article Michelle! Thanks for linking to my blog! I would not have known about the CLO without your recommendation
– thanks! I’m still taking my cod liver oil daily and loving it!!
My pleasure! So glad you’re still loving it as much as I am!
But does consuming these pills result in weight gain, since you know, it’s oil (i know its healthy oil but im worried about the weight gain!).
Well if you’re taking the recommended dosage it’s the equivalent of 1-2 tsp, which isn’t a lot at all. Personally, I’m not too worried. I just finished a book called “Eat Fat, Lose Fat” which you might want to check out as well – it talks about how eating the right fats can actually support weight loss, which is pretty neat.
I really like your blog and don’t want to be mean but I think you are wrong to assume that natural Vitamin A carries less risk than synthetic ones. This was taught to me in a developmental anatomy class:
In normal development, retinoids (Vitamin A) are made by the embryo itself but its concentrations is tightly regulated both spatially and temporally. This tight control is important for morphogenesis (formation of body parts, such as limbs, face and organs). If an embryo has ‘natural’ retinoids at the wrong place or wrong time, it could become deformed. This has been shown in many rodent experiments. The toxicity of retinoids is not a matter of ‘natural’ versus synthetic, but a matter of concentration and its spatial and temporal regulation.
Cod liver oil has far less vitamin A than, say Acutane, which probably explains why cod liver oil taken during pregnancy doesn’t often cause birth defects, whereas Acutane causes birth defects almost 100% of the time. But still, women should consult a doctor about cod liver oil if they plan on becoming pregnant.
Another thing is I don’t think anyone should trust Weston A. Price Foundation’s views on nutrition. On their ‘About us’ page, they say that their goal is to disseminate the research of Weston A. Price, who was a dentist who lived from 1870 to 1948. Back in his day, scientific experimentation wasn’t very advanced and he mainly based his conclusions by correlating diets with health in different ethnic/geographical groups. There are many confounding factors in his method because health doesn’t depend on diet alone. Genetics, environment and lifestyle also have important roles. And plus correlative data is never conclusive because it doesn’t show cause and effect. Current scientific evidence contradict a lot of what Weston A. Price claimed. Stephen Barrett, a living American physician, has done an article on Weston A. Price on his website, quackwatch.com: http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/holisticdent.html Take a look to read more about why Weston A. Price Foundation shouldn’t be trusted.
I’m all for cod liver oil, but I just think it’s Okay to trust doctors and the FDA more than pseudoscientific sources.
Hey – thanks for your comment, and don’t worry about being mean, you weren’t! Debate is good.
Re: toxicity – I’m sure many things, including CLO, are toxic if you consume enough of them. Even water! But no, I still believe CLO (which carries no warnings on the label) is much less risky than synthetic vitamin A (which requires blood tests, can damage your liver and cause birth defects…).
As I mentioned above, it has to do with the vitamin A and D ratio – here’s a quote on this:
“….Recently, however, cod liver oil has come under attack. After issuing a series of newsletters criticizing the use of cod liver oil because of its vitamin A content, Dr. John Cannell, through the Vitamin D Council, wrote a commentary entitled “Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin A Toxicity, Frequent Respiratory Infections, and the Vitamin D Deficiency Epidemic” published in the November, 2008 issue of the Journal of Otology, Rhinology, & Laryngology.1 Cannell and co-authors claim that vitamin A intakes above the most minimal levels increase mortality rates, increase vulnerability to infections, cause osteoporosis, and antagonize the beneficial effects of vitamin D.
[...]
“What the scientific literature shows, however, is that vitamins A and D work as partners rather than antagonists. While there is no solid evidence linking vitamin A to increases in mortality or higher rates of infection, vitamin A does cause adverse effects such as bone loss when it is not provided with its molecular partner, vitamin D. Since cod liver oil provides both partners together, it developed a long and successful history as an important therapeutic and prophylactic supplement. Many modern cod liver oils are deficient in vitamin D and should be avoided, but those providing adequate vitamin D continue to provide an important natural food source of the fat-soluble vitamins.”
This is why I suggested taking a really high quality brand like Green Pasture’s. I’m honestly not sure about how safe others are (the WAPF certainly doesn’t recommend many brands).
And yes, of course I agree with you that anyone who is pregnant or trying to conceive should check with their doctor – that goes for any supplement, not just CLO.
As for the WAPF – I had a look at your link and it’s addressing dentistry not nutrition so think it’s irrelevant to this discussion (and I’m not convinced QuackWatch is not backed by pharma interests). I know a lot of people discount the WAPF because Dr. Price was a dentist but through personal trial and error I’ve come to follow many of their nutrition recommendations and found them to be quite sound. I don’t need a doctor to tell me to eat something when I know from my own body that it’s doing me good. After all, it’s simply going back to what humans have traditionally consumed for hundreds of years before we got on to this processed foods kick.
While there is much to applaud doctors (and the FDA) for, the accepted treatments for acne and other skin issues can be expensive and in my opinion, sometimes quite harmful and unnecessary. (I’m talking about the pill, Accutane, spironolactone, etc.) Those are serious drugs.
And honestly – I’ve never met a doctor who knew much about nutrition (even naturopaths all seem to all push soy and protein shakes, neither of which I think are healthy)…. so all of this is me doing my own research and hoping that I can help some people by sharing it here!
Just out of curiousity, as a vegan and somebody who has been consuming soy for years, what effect do you feel it has on your body?
The soy messes with your hormones. Fermented soy is ok but unfermented is not. I know of a few people who’ve cleared up their skin after quitting soy. There is some good info here: http://www.frot.co.nz/dietnet/basics/soy.htm
Oh here is a pretty good blog on nutrition: http://infiniteblogging.wordpress.com/ The owner has a master’s in nutrition and has fairly moderate views on things (not completely hippie but not pro-big-corporations either).
She wrote about Weston A. Price as well: http://infiniteblogging.wordpress.com/2008/03/30/things-that-annoy-me-about-nutrition/
Thanks for the link – what she says is true (about the info not being published or peer reviewed) but I guess I’m just looking at the big picture – that *of course* the things our grandmothers would have prepared would be healthier than the stuff in modern diets: fake milks, fake meats, sugary candy, etc. Call me crazy!
Anyway, just because a study doesn’t exist to “back up” a point of view doesn’t mean it’s invalid. Many if not most studies are backed by pharmaceutical companies who want to profit off drugs (as they should) not foods that can’t be patented. Conducting a study is also very expensive and that is prohibitive.
But you know, as I said this is just my point of view. If you feel you need someone with “credentials” to give you nutritional advice, that’s fine too!
I was so enraptured in this post, I read the whole thing on my phone. I don’t really suffer from acne, but the “glowing skin” benefit really struck a chord with me. Especially with winter coming up.
I started taking the Glow capsules made by Greens. Do you know them? They contain some fish oil (sardine and anchovy) but not nearly as much as taking a cod liver oil capsule, obviously.
Anyways, I’ve definitely noticed a different in the appearance of my skin. And people have noticed too!
Yes I think I know what you’re talking about – O3mega+ Glow, right? http://www.genuinehealth.com/skin-beauty/o3mega-glow.html
That’s awesome they are working for you!
I took them as well (I also tried the Perfect Skin line from the same company) for maybe 1-2 years but never noticed a difference. Weird!
I take the “Daily Glow” multi. When I started the first time, I took it with the Perfect Skin capsules, and I really noticed that the Perfect Skin made a big difference. Breakouts passed faster, skin condition lightened. However, at $70/month for the 2, it was breaking my budget.
I decided to start with just the Daily Glow multi again (found it on sale, missed having a multi), and even on it’s own, in about a week I really noticed my skin perked up. My skin is so much better than when I tried it the first time (switched to natural products & treatment creams), and still there was a noticeable difference.
I added the CLO this month (thanks again, MIchelle) & WOW! After a month, clearer, brighter, less redness, and zits pass so quickly! I am still getting some zits, but those are due to external sources (my guy didn’t shave for a week but was still smoochy, heehee!), and friction from my motorcycle helmet (I commute daily on my bike). So passing fast is appreciated!
Think it will help with dryness in the fall, Michelle?
Wow amazing! Maybe combining CLO plus fish oil is a way to super-size the effects… I’ll have to check this out! I think the CLO should help with winter dryness – the Weston A. Price organization calls it the first line of defense for any skincare issue, including eczema, so it would follow that it’d have an impact on regular dry skin as well.
The Daily Glow Multi isn’t a fish oil (different from Omega Glow), just a good multivitamin with extra minerals etc. that help the skin. I do get a dose of omegas from the Udo’s 3-6-9 Oil I put in my smoothie every day, & the walnuts I snack on, though.
My skin dryness is lots better already, but I’ve changed so many things I’m not sure what is responsible; almond oil in my oat paste cleanser, CLO, Not using a lot of chemical products, big changes in diet…
Funny you mention the line ‘Perfect Skin’ from Greens; I have been taking them for over a year now and they have not helped my skin out at all and am still getting breakouts and painful spots, so maybe the cod liver oil is another option and added hope for a natural solution.
Thank you for sharing, your posts are great!
Yeah – I noticed absolutely nothing (both in my skin and rest of body) with the Perfect Skin line. I think the cod liver oil is far superior… not sure why everyone is on this fish oil craze lately!
I think it will definitely help your skin – if you try it, please come back and let me know how you get on! There are some other good nutrition tips for acne here: http://www.westonaprice.org/ask-the-doctor/200-acne.html
Hi Michelle,
I just came across your blog this summer and love it! I’ve just started taking the Carlson brand, so here’s hoping it works. I got hit pretty hard with acne in my mid twenties and have tried everything, including Accutane. It worked, but now, more than a year after being off it, the acne has come back. It’s mostly concentrated around the sides of my chin and jaw line with some cystic and lots of under the skin bumps. Did you have this kind or was yours pretty mild? Just wondering how much the cod liver oil will help with that type of acne.
Thanks!
Oh no – I’ve heard other people have the same experience on Accutane… for some people it works for a year or so and then comes back. Yikes! That’s a lot to put your body through for only a few months of clear skin. I really disagree with derms on this one.
I definitely think the cod liver oil will help you because like I said, it’s a natural form of vitamin A, which is the ingredient in Accutane you already got results from… the difference is with cod liver oil you can take it for life! (And it has lots of other amazing health benefits…unlike a drug.)
I think when adult females get spots they are usually the under-the-skin kind and typically around the chin/jaw area so yes, this is what I’m talking about. (Although I think it should help with any type of acne… assuming it’s not caused by your makeup or not washing your face, etc.)
See how you go with the Carlson’s, but as I mentioned above – I’d strongly consider splurging on a brand like Green Pasture’s for best results, especially if your acne was serious enough to warrant a prescription treatment like Accutane. I just don’t think you’re going to see as dramatic of a difference with Carlson’s or any of the mainstream CLO brands.
I’d also think about doing some liver work since Accutane does affect the liver and that, in turn, will affect your skin. Milk thistle would be a good supplement for you as it helps to repair liver cells.
Keep me posted Sarah!
Have you tried taking fish oil? If yes, which is better? I read in a blog that fish oil is better than cod liver. So now, I’m quite confused!
Hi Dee! I have tried fish oil for years, but it didn’t do squat for me. One commenter above said she noticed a difference, but that’s the only person I know of who noticed anything. Yes, even with the fish oils that are marketed for acne (eg Genuine Health Perfect Skin).
From what I’ve read and experienced personally cod liver oil is far superior to fish oil. ***But when I say cod liver oil I mean a high-quality one like Green Pasture’s with the proper ratio of vitamin A and D***
Do you have a link to the article you were reading? Would love to understand why they say the opposite. Maybe they are comparing fish oil to the cheaper cod liver oils which are all highly processed and therefore damaged from the heat, making them rancid… Those are definitely bad.
Thanks so much for this post! You described exactly how I am feeling in dealing with my skin. The last few months my skin has gone out of control
.
I’m seriously interested in the Green Pastures brand. Can’t decide whether to go for the butter oil-cod liver oil blend or just the straight cod liver… You mentioned your friend takes it and has had good improvement with her acne? Which does she take and does she take the capsules or the liquid form?
Hi Gwen! My friend takes Carlson’s… I take the combo CLO/butter oil blend from Green Pasture’s. I haven’t taken the plain CLO from Green Pasture’s yet so hard to know how they would compare.
Maybe someone on this thread has taken it though and can chime in?
I’m guessing there wouldn’t be much of a difference but I could be wrong. I think the main thing is to take the right dosage, which can be a matter of trial and error. I play around with mine – sometimes I take 2 capsules, but around PMS time (when I’m more prone to breakouts) I double it.
There is some debate on what is the “right” dosage but here’s the info from the Weston A. Price foundation:
* Children age 3 months to 12 years: 1/2 teaspoon or 2.5 mL, providing 4650 IU vitamin A and 975 IU vitamin D.
* Children over 12 years and adults: 1 teaspoon or 10 capsules, providing 9500 IU vitamin A and 1950 IU vitamin D.
* Pregnant and nursing women: 2 teaspoon or 20 capsules, providing 19,000 IU vitamin A and 3900 IU vitamin D.
Here’s the post with more info – http://www.westonaprice.org/cod-liver-oil/238.html
Hello,
Actually it should be noted that the recommended amount of daily vitamin A for pregnant/ lactating women is 5,000 IU. The amount specified above is far more than any medical organization has advocated to safely consume in pregnancy/ lactation.
That’s vitamin A in isolated form. I’m talking about vitamin A as it occurs naturally in FOOD, i.e. a high-quality cod liver oil. Obviously I have a disclaimer here that I am not an MD and everyone needs to do their own research and make their own medical decisions, however, there is some excellent information in this article on the Weston A. Price website should you wish to educate yourself further.
Here is an excerpt:
“Please note that these recommended doses are 2-5 times greater than the U.S. RDA for children, 4 times greater than the U.S. RDA for adults and 8 times greater than the U.S. RDA for pregnant women. The RDA values are based on studies conducted in the general population, which is now recognized to be largely deficient in vitamin D. For a discussion of studies showing that vitamin A consumption up to 30,000 IU per day by pregnant women does not result in a greater risk of birth defects, see Vitamin A for fetal development. This article also describes the vital role played by vitamin A in the development of the fetus. Pregnant women may wish to consult their health practitioner about taking cod liver oil during pregnancy.
Individuals under stress or wishing to use cod liver oil to treat a disease condition may take much larger doses, even up to doses providing 90,000 IU vitamin A per day, for a period of several weeks.
Ok, Michelle. After reading your shout outs to CLO for the last few months, I finally hit up the big carrot and got some reputable (Carlson’s – what what!) cod liver oil. I take it once a day and my skin has been looking amazing!
I may eventually splurge on the Green Pasture brand just to compare but Carlson’s seems to be a fine brand. It’s a high quality, purified, high-concentration formula . . . apparently they only use cod from the “unpolluted cold ocean waters in norway.” Hmm…
I’ve also been taking . . . I think their called Noni Pills. Hawaiian fruit extract, basically. They are supposed to aid digestion – a friend of mine recommended them when I asked her why her skin was lookin’ so “glowy”.
I’ve stepped up my skin care regime a bit recently & I’ve been eating super healthy, but I still think the CLO is a factor. The other components have cleared my skin, but I think the CLO takes credit for the dewy/glowy aspect.
OMG! Yay! Thank you so much for coming back here and letting me know this… I am just thrilled that it made a difference for your skin!
Good to also get a testimonial about Carlson’s as I know people have been balking about the price/availablity of Green Pasture’s. The only reason I have been a bit cautious about Carlson’s was because of the info here: http://www.westonaprice.org/cod-liver-oil/238.html But that said, I JUST noticed that it is listed in the U.S. section (not Canada) under “Good” (not “Best” which is where Green Pasture’s is)… so it’s probably just fine for skin purposes. I didn’t realize it was there or I would’ve said that in the post. I feel better about it knowing that the Weston A. Price foundation sort of endorses it.
Interesting to hear about Noni pills! I’m gonna look those up. I think I remember reading something about Miranda Kerr drinking noni juice….
Hi I just came across ur blog from following WH_beauty on twitter and OMG I have been reading ur blogs and found that you have been very informative. I have been struggling with acne since puberty (now i’m 22) and been to a handful of dermatologist that would always prescribe something. So after reading this blog I think I’ll try CLO since I’ve already tried accutane and the pills. I might as well give this a shot since it’s not prescribed. My question: is purchasing Green Pasture’s CLO online the only choice? can I get this from a store in US?
Hi V – welcome! I hope CLO will help you – I think it should!
Here is the list of recommended brands available in the U.S.:
In the United States
BEST (Available Online/Mail Order):
* Green Pasture Products: Blue Ice High-Vitamin Fermented Cod Liver Oil, (402) 858-4818, greenpasture.org
* Dr. Ron’s Ultra-Pure: Blue Ice High-Vitamin Fermented Cod Liver Oil, (877) 472-8701, drrons.com
* Radiant Life: Blue Ice High-Vitamin Fermented Cod Liver Oil and Premier High-Vitamin Cod Liver Oil, (888) 593-8333, 4radiantlife.com
* Azure Standard: Blue Ice High-Vitamin Fermented Cod Liver Oil, (541) 467-2230, azurestandard.com
* Natural Health Advocates: Blue Ice High-Vitamin Fermented Cod Liver Oil, 888-257-8775, building-health.com/
* See our list of local chapter leaders and members who sell fermented cod liver oil.
GOOD (and available in Stores):
* Carlson’s soft gel Cod Liver Oil 1,000 mg capsules
* NOW double strength Cod Liver Oil capsules
* Sonne’s Cod Liver Oil
* Twin Labs Cod Liver Oil
Since some people have had good results with the Carlson’s maybe you want to try that since it’s available in stores.
I don’t know where Green Pasture’s is sold in the U.S. – you’d have to contact them directly to ask as I can’t find a store listing on their website.
I hope this helps! If you try it please report back!
michelle, hay can you help me gave me guide line related to CLO m very worried about may skin delneass and light dark compelection next year may marrage date is finallized what i do?
Hi – trying to understand your question. Do you mean you’re worried about CLO changing your skin tone to go darker or lighter? Don’t worry, it won’t do that at all… what it does is give you a healthy “glow” and reduce inflammation and acne breakouts.
Time for my feedback! I ran out immediately after reading this post and bought myself some Code Liver oil. I opted for whatever I could get my hands on and ended up with the Carlson’s. I have to say within 2 weeks, all of my sore, swollen and inflamed spots diminished greatly. I am not spot free, but I no longer get any of the really bad growths that nothing seems to shrink and my skin in general looks clearer and more radiant. I will have to post an after shot. Thank you again so much for sharing. You offer really informed information too. Cheers to beautiful skin!
AMAZING! Thanks so much for posting your testimonial, Nicki – I am thrilled for you! You’re right – the CLO is amazing for reducing the inflammation/swelling. If it’s only been 2 weeks, your skin should keep getting better and better. YAY!!!
Hey Michelle, Thanks for this information! I had mostly clear skin until about 3 months ago when I started to develop bad acne at age 25. It’s non-stop now and really getting me down. I’m now thinking maybe I should go have a blood test for hormone levels!
Regarding your friend who’s skin cleared up, how bad was her skin and how clear is it now? Looking for a little hope! The fact that it’s just been so bad for 3 solid months is really getting me down and starting to scare me a little!!
Hi Kat! Getting your hormone levels checked isn’t a bad idea but I’ve gotta say that everyone I’ve met who *thinks* that is the problem still sees results from the CLO. As for the condition of my friend’s skin – it’s hard to say “how bad” it was because everyone’s perception of acne is different. Personally, I used to get a lot of so-called “hormonal” acne along the jaw line and now that I take CLO I rarely do except for the odd spot here or there around my period. I think that’s pretty dramatic. (I still will break out a bit when I eat too much sugar + hydrogenated oils, so def check your diet as well…. CLO won’t compensate for a bad diet.)
Is there anything that has changed in the past 3 months that could be a factor? Either way I still think CLO is worth a shot – I think if you get a high-quality one like Green Pasture’s the results can be very dramatic. But lots of people are saying Carlson’s works great too.
Thanks Michelle. I ordered the Green Pastures cod liver oil capsules. Do you find scars/marks if you do get blemishes go away faster now taking the CLO?
You mean the post-inflammatory pigmentation, right? I’ve definitely noticed it goes away faster now. I think it’s because Vitamin A is really important for “wound healing”. Here’s something I found on lef.org:
Vitamin A. Vitamin A is indispensable for normal growth and differentiation of the skin, making it significant in wound healing . The presence of vitamin A increases the strength of scar tissue. Vitamin A is required for an adequate inflammatory response and has been used to counteract the catabolic effect that glucocorticosteroids exert on wound healing (Ehrlich HP et al 1973). The improvement in wound healing from vitamin A supplementation is also attributed to an increase in collagen cross-linking, which results in higher tensile strength (Seifter E et al 1975).
That said, in addition to CLO I’m also using a really great brightening treatment called Lumixyl (avail at derm’s offices) … so probably the combo helps.
Hello,
but ur blog really helped me understandin the benifits of the cod liver thankz a lot:)
( plz plz help me with it…. is cod liver ll help me with this?? and also want my complexion to be a little ligther??
I hv been using Cod liver gel capsul like about a month but didn know about how much i need to take as ma frd told me only one is enough
I want to ask u about melasma. I got these brown spots like 2 or 3 years ago i neva had them before:(( i tried everything like EVERYTHING
Melasma is one of the most difficult skin issues to correct unfortunately. You can try a hydroquinone cream (eg Ultraquin) either over the counter or prescription. Retinol and glycolic acid (e.g. NeoStrata HQ = glycolic + hydroquinone) can also help. Make sure to protect against sun with sunscreen SPF 30 or higher.
There are stronger things at the doctor’s office eg. Lumixyl, SkinCeuticals’ Pigment Regulator, prescription retinoids, prescription hydroquinone (concentrations higher than OTC which is 4% maximum), etc. If it’s really bad you could do a Fraxel laser treatment but that’s quite pricey and sometimes the problem returns.
Also, for redness/scarring I would recommend Derma e Scar Gel (available at some Shoppers and Health Food stores – I get mine in Kensington).
It’s a product I always go back to when I have skin issues. I also think the combo of CLO, a few good products and healthy diet = good skin. When I fall off the bandwagon my skin flares up . . .
Here’s some info: http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=75229/Derma_E_Scar_Gel/Derma_E/Moisturizers
Cool – thanks for the reco… I have seen that brand at Shoppers often! I think I have one of their moisturizers but not this one. Good to know!
Hi Michelle – I started taking the Green Pasture’s CLO/vitamin oil blend capsules about three months ago. The reason I found your blog is that I realized (after three months!) that the bottle says “refrigerate after opening” on the back!! It has been sitting on my counter this whole time and now I’m afraid it is ruined. I’ve been looking around online to see if I need to ditch this bottle and start a new one but can’t really find a lot of info. In your research, have you found any information about this? I really don’t want to throw away the rest of the bottle, but if it’s not going to work correctly anymore, I will!
Thanks for your help!
Hi Kerry – I think it should be ok, I found this post on the Green Pastures website: http://www.greenpasture.org/community/?q=node/174
If in doubt you could just contact them directly – I know they answer a lot of Q’s on the Weston A. Price foundation website as well.
Thanks for this! Immediately after reading I ran out to my local health food store and purchased Arctic Cod Liver Oil in orange flavor (it doesn’t taste so bad chased with OJ) I’ll have to order the brand you recommended on line. I have high hopes this will work for me, too! I tried Retin-A from my derm that only made my breakouts worse but for fading dark spots I found an inexpensive cream by Ambi that contains Hydroquinone that seems to be working.
Awesome Sara! Please let us know if the Arctic brand works (so far we just have testimonials for Green Pasture’s and Carlsons). I hope it does!
As for dark spots – CLO should help them heal. I know derms love Retin-A for everything but it’s so drying. It should work better than anything over the counter though, if you can stand it. Maybe try using it every other night or a couple times a week – apparently your skin will eventually develop more tolerance but you have to build up slowly.
I’m not a fan of hydroquinone products just because that ingredient is very toxic. More info here: http://thegreenbeautyguide.com/?p=102
I’ve stopped using Ambi containing hydroquinone. I had no idea it was linked to cancer!! Thanks for sharing the information. I’m shocked hydroquinone is sold OTC at the drug store and more surprisingly that Allure Magazine lists Ambi Fade Cream as a best of beauty award winner…shows how much they know. Thanks again, Michelle! Here’s to clear skin with CLO that’s actually good for you.
Hey Sara – you just inspired a new post on this very topic (hydroquinone). So maybe some additional info/ideas here: http://beautyeditor.ca/2010/10/27/why-hydroquinone-is-bad-for-you-albeit-effective-and-the-whiteningbrightening-line-i-recommend-instead/
I think Ambi is probably ok if you use it sparingly and not for more than 6 months… but I personally don’t feel that comfortable using something with that many warnings!
How did you get the Green Patsures version from the states? If you could email me.
Thanks
Nevermind, saw you answered this already.
Also seen someone say “I think you can trust doctors and the FDA”.
The FDA? Are you serious there run by special interests.
Sure some doctors are trustworty but there some that dont care and just prescribe anything. A married couple, who were doctors, just got busted for exactly this as there negligence led to several deaths.
I know, that made me laugh too! I’m also a skeptic when it comes to the FDA and even lots of things doctors tell you. And dentists! Bah – they are the bain of my existence right now.
If you try the CLO, please come back and let us know how it worked!
Hi Michelle – I have been all over this post since discovering it a couple of weeks ago. Immediately ordered the COD/Butter Oil capsules from Green Pastures which I received a week ago. I’m currently taking 2 capsules a day, but I note you double up during pms week, which I think would be a wise move for me too. Perhaps I will finally be able to go off the Diane 35 which I have been taking for years to treat hormonal acne – here’s hoping.
Just wanted to mention, I noticed on the Green Pastures order form that they sell Raw Virgin Coconut Oil. I bought a jar of this too. It makes an awesome skin moisturizer/hair and scalp moisturizer – really softens your skin without being greasy and smells divine. This is the website where I found out about Virgin Coconut Oil:
http://www.drbenkim.com/podcast/clear-healthy-skin.htm
It’s also an excellent cooking oil – I can’t decide whether to store it in my bathroom or my kitchen!
Yay Lindsay! Keep me posted on how it goes. I’m not too exacting with my dosage but yeah, something like 2-4 a day is what I usually do. I actually found some more info here that suggests 3 per day is the correct adult dosage. http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2008/10/fermented-cod-liver-oil-series-part-2.html It’s kind of confusing… I think a matter of trial and error.
Oh and I LOVE coconut oil! I haven’t used it on my face for fear of breaking out, but maybe I’ll give it a go. I’ve been reading a book called Eat Fat, Lose Fat that recommends eating a few spoonfuls a day – apparently it suppresses appetite and speeds up metabolism to assist with weight loss! Amazing.
Sorry if you’ve already mentioned this, but I was wondering…
How long was it before you could see noticeable effects of the cod liver oil? And then how long was it when your skin became essentially clear?
I’ve been taking Green Pastures CLO capsules for about 2 weeks now and I’m not sure if I’m really seeing a difference…
Hi Gwen, I would give it about a month I think. And just to be clear (zing!) I’ll still get the odd spot or two around PMS time… or when I’ve been bad (drinking alcohol, eating hydrogenated oils, stressed out etc). But these don’t really bug me as they heal quickly and aren’t so inflamed.
If you’re not seeing results maybe take a look at the rest of your diet – what are you eating? Are you taking any medications, other supplements? How many CLO caps are you taking daily?
I’m taking 6 capsules a day in order to get the recommended 10,000 IU of vitamin A. I’ll probably reduce it once I’m happy with my skin. I actually just ordered the butter oil/CLO in cinnamon tingle gel.
My skin is looking a little better – scars seem to be fading quicker and I haven’t gotten anymore cysts, but I have still gotten some smaller breakouts. I’m just not sure if it can be attributed to the CLO or that it’s now the week after my period when my skin usually gets clearer. Or that I think I was breaking out from stress anyway.
Sigh, I don’t know. I’m just tired of crappy skin and want this to work!!
Oh ok gotcha. Thanks for bringing the dosage thing up Gwen. I’ve actually been researching it this morning and it’s very confusing trying to figure out the vitamin A amount in the capsules vs the liquid.
I found this info here:
The high-vitamin fermented cod liver oil is sold as a food so does not contain vitamin levels on the label. However, after numerous tests, the approximate values of A and D have been ascertained at 1900 IU vitamin A per mL and 390 IU vitamin D per mL. Thus 1 teaspoon of high-vitamin fermented cod liver oil contains 9500 IU vitamin A and 1950 IU vitamin D, a ratio of about 5:1.
Based on these values, the dosage for the high-vitamin fermented cod liver oil is provided as follows:
* Children age 3 months to 12 years: 1/2 teaspoon or 2.5 mL, providing 4650 IU vitamin A and 975 IU vitamin D.
* Children over 12 years and adults: 1 teaspoon or 10 capsules, providing 9500 IU vitamin A and 1950 IU vitamin D.
* Pregnant and nursing women: 2 teaspoon or 20 capsules, providing 19,000 IU vitamin A and 3900 IU vitamin D.
Please note that the fermented cod liver oil contains many co-factors that may enhance the body’s uptake and usage of vitamins A and D; in fact, many have reported results equivalent to those obtained from high-vitamin cod liver oil with half the recommended dose, that is ¼ teaspoon or 1.25 mL for children age 3 months to 12 years; ½ teaspoon or 5 capsules for children over 12 years and adults; and 1 teaspoon or 10 capsules for pregnant and nursing women.
***
I might break down and order the oil now because it’s looking like the caps aren’t all that cost efficient… and now that I know I’m not getting the recommended dosage, I want to increase it.
I’m glad your skin is looking better. I would give it another coupel of weeks if it’s only been two so far. There is also more info here on diet and acne that you might want to look into: http://www.westonaprice.org/ask-the-doctor/200-acne.html
I had a hard time trying to find information on the amounts as well. But digging through the Green Pastures website I figured out the capsules are MUCH more expensive. I did order another bottle of the capsules though because they’re convenient for travelling and whatnot.
Also, even though high vitamin fermented cod liver oil is more expensive per bottle than the Carlson’s, it’s actually more cost efficient. You’re getting a lot more vitamins and will definitely end up spending less because you will not need to take as much.
You’re right Gwen and I agree, I feel like I’m giving my body lots of good nutrients with the expensive fermented CLO so I don’t mind spending the extra money on it. Although seems from these comments that some have had good results even with other brands.
Please keep us posted on how you do!
I started taking Green Pastures CLO/Butter Oil capsules about 2 weeks ago (2 at breakfast) along with Carlson’s 1000mg capsules (2 at lunch, 2 at dinner) and WHOA! Let me tell you. My skin has improved so much. I had quite a few cysts, a couple pimples and tons of whiteheads along with bumpy, uneven skin.
Things have improved so much for me in just two weeks. Right now I still have about 5 small whiteheads, but the texture of my skin is sooooooo much smoother.
I can’t wait to see what my face looks like in 6 months or a year. Some of the red marks from a summer full of breakouts are already starting to fade!
Woot woot! That’s awesome Emily! Interesting that you’re doubling up with the Carlson’s… maybe that’s a money-saving technique for those of us being bankrupted by Green Pasture’s.
And no doubt you’re getting such great results so quickly because of the high dosage. Just do me a favour and make sure you’re not OD’ing on the stuff, ok?
There is info on dosing here: http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2008/10/fermented-cod-liver-oil-series-part-2.html I believe you’re not supposed to get more than 10,000 IU of vitamin A daily.
Will this also help with acne on other parts of the body? Back, chest, arms?
I can’t see why not, since it’s working internally. It should have an effect on the skin all over your body.
I’m a vegan, eat very healthy, drink 3 litres of water a day etc etc, and my skin is dreadfully oily, lumpy under the skin spots, blackheads and whiteheads in the tzone, and nasty red spots as well.
I feel like I’ve tried everything, do you have a vegetarian/vegan substitute for CLO? And won’t consuming oil make me oilier? Thanks for your help!
Hey Freya – no, consuming oil shouldn’t make your skin get oilier, as long as it’s the right kind of oil. Healthy fats like CLO, butter, coconut oil and moderate amounts of olive oil (**as long as you don’t heat it**) are really good for you AND your skin. Besides this whole CLO/acne thing, fat nourishes dry skin and gives you a glowy, plumped-up look.
But “bad” fats – ie. too many polyunsaturated oils or any hydrogenated oils at all (otherwise known as trans fats) you should stay away from like the plague. I know I can definitely see it in my skin when I over-eat anything hydrogenated… most processed foods contain them and I will always break out.
As for a vegan substitute for CLO – unfortunately I don’t know of anything comparable. It’s the vitamin A that helps your skin and while you can get it from plant sources, they’re just not as well absorbed by the body compared to animal sources eg. CLO, eggs, liver, butter, etc. The only thing I can think of would be to eat more of vitamin A-rich plants (dark green and yellow vegetables and yellow fruits, such as broccoli spinach, turnip greens, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, cantaloupe, and apricots). But I have no idea how much of a difference – if any – this would make for your skin. And I would venture a guess that it’s exactly because your vegan diet is depriving your body of absorb-able vitamin A that you’re having skin issues.
If you’re at all open to the idea of taking CLO, they do make it in pill form so you wouldn’t have to taste anything ‘fishy’ at all – it’s quite easy to pop ‘em down. Hope you consider it!
Hi!
Just wanted to come back to this post and comment with my experience. I’ve been taking CLO, generic London Drugs brand once a day since you posted this and I am LOVING it. I won’t say I never get blemishes anymore but now when I do (which is much less frequently than before) they are very small, only stick around for a day or two, and don’t get inflamed! I’ve also been thrilled to note that my usually-weak, thin fingernails are harder, thicker, and the whites are whiter. I am so pleased with the results; thanks for this article!
Stefanie
Oh my gosh WOW! That is amazing to hear Stefanie. Thanks so much for coming back and posting about how it’s worked for you. I’m so glad! (and good to hear even the generic brand has an effect…how wonderful!)
As for nails… I thought mine were getting stronger from Nailtiques, which I posted about the other day… but maybe you’re right – could be the CLO too!
Hey Michelle, as I love everything you post here, I decided to give a try on the CLO. The only thing is I have no idea of the amount of capsules I should take a day? And do you take them all together or twice a day? Thank you so much. Love ur blog and tips haha ahh Im from brazil btw, just thought I should say it
Very good question and there isn’t an easy answer… overall they say you can take 10,000 IU of vitamin A per day, but pregnant/nursing women and those recovering from health issues can go up to 20,000 IU. (I *think* acne might qualify as a health issue…)
If you’re taking Green Pasture’s fermented CLO capsules the recommended serving on the bottle is 2 caps a day but this doesn’t get you to the 10,000 IU. Instead follow this chart:
* Children age 3 months to 12 years: 1/2 teaspoon or 2.5 mL, providing 4650 IU vitamin A and 975 IU vitamin D.
* Children over 12 years and adults: 1 teaspoon or 10 capsules, providing 9500 IU vitamin A and 1950 IU vitamin D.
* Pregnant and nursing women: 2 teaspoon or 20 capsules, providing 19,000 IU vitamin A and 3900 IU vitamin D.
That means the caps are SUPER expensive for what you get.. although convenient. This is why I just ordered the liquid.
One thing to note however is that apparently the fermented CLO is so effective, you may actually be able to get by with less and still see results. So it’s really a matter of experimentation. Maybe start low and if you’re still not seeing results after about a month, increase your dosage.
I hope that helps!
Michelle, I’ve been taking CLO for about a month now (just finished a Carlson’s bottle) and I must say – SKIN LOOKS FANTABULOUS!! I’m very lucky to be genetically blessed with my skin anyway (thanks Jesus, ma, pa) but now that I’m looking at 40, I DEF see lots of changes (d#mn you hormones, aging and harsh environment) that I never had to deal with before. CLO has given me that glow you mentioned and the dry skin issue has greatly improved. I’ll never have the skin I had as a twenty-something….but the vain b#tch in me is happier (and looks better, too, lol!)
Thanks Michelle for the CLO, the advice and info, and your awesome blog!
Hurrah! Thanks so much for coming back and letting us know how it worked for you. SO GLAD you are experiencing that elusive “glow” I was talking about. Great to know it helps with dry skin too… not just for those of us who have acne-prone skin.
Hi, Is CLO as good for people who live in tropical/warm weather?? Thanks
Hi – since you’re ingesting it orally—not applying topically—climate shouldn’t make any difference. You should still see great results!
Michelle! I finished my first bottle of Green Pasture’s CLO. I ordered the Cinnamon Tingle gel which arrived in liquid form but solidified in my refrigerator. I took a tablespoon religiously every morning and thankfully the cinnamon does a great job of masking the fishy taste. The thick texture was what I struggled with but it was worth it. I’m already seeing results. I’m on my second bottle (capsules this time). I’m amazed and happy to say the appearance of my skin is looking radiant and those blemishes around my mouth and chin are improving every day. It’s the CLO. Thank you!
Awesome awesome awesome!!! So happy for you. I just started my own bottle of the cinnamon gel a few days ago – wanted to step things up with my dosage because I got a bad breakout from testing out the Oil Cleansing Method on my skin (not sure if you read that post but if you’re acne-prone I recommend staying far, far away!). I’m taking 2 tsp a day, just melted in a bit of hot water so I can shoot it down and then chase with a lemon slice.
I will decrease my dosage once my skin is back on track… I was doing 2-4 capsules a day before and it seemed fine (and much easier on the tastebuds!). I wish the capsules were more cost effective though… you have to take so many to equal the amount you get in the gel.
Hi Michelle
I just purchased the Green Pastures capsules after reading your post and researching a bit online. Thank goodness Green Pastures is available in Australia (I couldn’t find any other alternatives that were of the same quality).
After having pretty good skin throughout my teenage years, my skin went into meltdown (hello adult-acne!) about a year ago and I’ve spent so much money on various skin care regimes (not to mention being so self-conscious of it) that just haven’t gotten rid of it.
Fingers crossed the CLO does wonders, I’ll check in again and let you know in a month’s time.
Awesome! It really is the best brand in the world so if you can afford the splurge I do think it’s worth it, not just for skin but your whole body. Would love to hear how you do so yes please come back!
Ok, so I went through the bottle of capsules within a few weeks and now I’m onto the Chocolate cream/gel (they were all out of stock of the cinnamon) and it tastes awful!! I pretty much gag every time I take it, BUT I have noticed a huge difference in my skin already. Not as many breakouts (even at that time of the month) and overall my complexion is looking clearer and brighter.
I have switched skin-care regimes in the last couple of weeks to MV Organic Skincare http://www.mvskincare.com.au/ which is AH-mazing! I had a facial from Sharon, the creator of the skincare line, and she explained to me all about the nasties and petrochemicals that are found in pretty much all mainstream skincare lines, and now I’ve really cut down my routine rather than trying to overcompensate with product after product.
I think I’ve found my holy grail of skincare – the Green Pastures CLO and the MV Organics. Thanks Michelle for getting out the word about CLO!
Hooray!!! I LOVE these testimonials! Thanks so much for coming back here Jess. Too bad the chocolate is gross, I won’t order it… I find the cinnamon pretty good actually. The plain one is nasty though.
I need to check out MV skincare as well! I agree re: mainstream nasties… although I am currently battling a HUGE disaster from the Oil Cleansing Method (castor oil and olive oil, which I *thought* would be harmless…)
My 15 year old son started taking 2 tsp. per day of this and 3 weeks later his skin is so much better. He had acne on his forehead and cheeks that was quite red and bumpy. Now he just has a few raised spots that are not red at all. Expensive but well worth the money!
Hi,I think your blog’s great !
I’m 15 and I don’t think I’ve got your problem, but I’ve got a very oily skin and shining. I mostly have got blackheads and some zits. Here are some questions:
Do you think, it’ll help anyway on my skin ?
Is the photo on the top of the site the product you use ?
And do you think I can order it from Germany ?
I
Hi Lena! Hmm good question – I am not sure I noticed too much of a difference in oil… I’ve got the typical T-zone that gets a bit shiny by the end of the day but I don’t know that it has changed really. Same thing with blackheads – like everyone I get them around the nose and well they are still there unfortunately
But the CLO would definitely help with the zits, for sure.
I use the Green Pasture’s CLO + Butter Oil Blend in the Cinnamon Tingle gel flavour. Not the best tasting thing I will admit, but it’s not completely horrible if you shoot it down with some juice.
And yes you can definitely get in Europe – here is a resource list. (Blue Ice is the Green Pastures one… under “good” there are some other brand options)
In Europe
BEST:
* Natural Food Finder: naturalfoodfinder.co.uk/products carries Blue Ice High-Vitamin Fermented Cod Liver Oil, biokult, raw honey, coconut oil, high vitamin butter oil
* Red23: red23.co.uk carries Blue Ice High-Vitamin Fermented Cod Liver Oil
* Q Naturals Webstore – Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver and High Vitamin Butter Oil http://www.qnaturals.nl
GOOD:
* Healthspan Ltd., 0800 73 123 77, healthspan.co.uk
* Goldshield, goldshield.co.uk
* Lysi, nordicstore.net
Thanks ! I think I’m gonna check it out.
Bye,
Lena
Oh wow, amazing! Thanks for letting us know Lisa… this stuff is miraculous, no? It tastes nasty but so much better than harsh drugs like Accutane.
I did take accutane years ago and while it did work it was so drying. My hair could go a week without being washed and my skin did clear up but my lips and the rest of my skin became so dry. I would rather my 15 year old go au natural if at all possible!
I only just discovered your site and I have to tell you that I have spent the last week going through all your articles. I got up to page 97! Keep up the great work.
OMG – 97 pages, that is dedication! Thanks for reading Lisa. So nice to hear you are taking a natural approach with your son and that it is working! yay!
Hi Michelle,
Do you know where I can buy the Carlson’s cod liver oil from (in Toronto – preferably east end)? I’ve just finished a bottle of the Green Pasture’s blend and I went through it so quick that I’d like to try out the Carlson’s (based on all the good remarks I’ve read).
Thanks
If I’m not mistaken (I don’t know the east end that well) I think someone else said they found it at the Big Carrot.
Other places to try: Noah’s… Whole Foods… Markie’s pharmacy at Bay & Bloor maybe.
If you get it would love to hear if you notice any difference. (Did the GP brand work well for you by the way?)
http://www.natures-source.com/product.php?productid=1497
If you GOOGLE it there are a few stores that do come up. I am considering giving Carlson a try as GP is quite pricey but then again you usually get what you pay for. It may be worth a try for one bottle and see if there is a big difference.
Just checked out the carlson breakdown and if I am reading correctly you would have to take 3 tsp’s per day to get close to the same amount of vitamins A&D in the 1tsp serving of the Green Pastures. So in the long run it is better to stick with the Green Pastures if the high dosage of A&D are what is helping your skin. Darn and I thought I might be able to find a cheaper alternative.
Carlson’s
http://www.aviva.ca/shop/products.asp?itemid=1424&catid=312
GP’s
http://www.greenpasture.org/retail/?t=products&p=products&a=display&i=1098
sorry just read Gwen’s reply up above and she had figured this out already!
Thanks for this Lisa! Yes, that is why I have to recommend GP as the very best… although some people do get a result with the lower dose in the Carlson’s.
You people making me laugh! It seems like you never heard it about before. Million years all knows that vit. A D and E is superb for skin. And now all of you who uses synthetic shit from world leading brands who poisoning you, eventually you turn and saw- hey maybe there is something good in nature?
And it’s not only CLO what is good, VERY good is Jojoba oil, avocado oil, sweet almond oil, and apricot kernels oil. They all full of vitamins and flavanoids which is like the best creams for 1000$
And what about FDA – it’s the NUMBER ONE corruption leader in the USA. Just do some research people, they approved MANY poison drugs to be marketed and they new about side effects, just remember the 70′ flu pandemic when people god sick and died because of vaccine, or get paralyzed or mental ill.
And doctors are just fools, to get MD it seems like in US MD can get every idiot who wants it, so yes 60% of docs are stupid incompatible and big pharma controlled.
And OH BTW – NO METTER the brand! sos top asking. Just look at concentrations! cheaper ones are low in concentration of D and A vitamins so they’re less potent.
Actually the brand does matter a lot. You need to read this excerpt from here: http://www.westonaprice.org/cod-liver-oil/238-cod-liver-oil-basics.html
“Most brands of cod liver oil go through a process that removes all of the natural vitamins. The resultant product contains very low levels of vitamin A and virtually no vitamin D. Some manufacturers add manufactured vitamins A and D to the purified cod liver oil and until recently, one manufacturer added the natural vitamins removed during processing back into the cod liver oil.”
This is why the Green Pasture’s fermented one is the very best.
Oh, my god. Michelle, I have tried -everything- to clear my skin. I have combination skin… oilier on the forehead at times and around my chin. My skin is fare and I have relatively unmanageable skin right now. I’ve been having such a bad break-out since the end of September this year. I’ve always wondered if there was something OBVIOUS and natural I was missing out on…! And I think you’ve just shown me the friggin’ light.
As soon as I can, I think I will order the CLO/Butter Oil mix that you use. Do you find the liquid is quicker-acting and more of a constant result than the capsules, or do you take the capsules again? Or both?
I’m so, soo excited to try this! I was using Clinique, Clean & Clear, etc., and it all just made my face so much worse. If this works, I’ll be a CLO supporter for LIFE.
I hear you Chantelle! My skin is the same. I’ve been taking the Carlsons brand since September, but I haven’t noticed enough of an improvement, so I’m splurging on the big boy and the getting the Green Pastures! The shipping is ridiculous, but hopefully it will be worth it!
How much of the Carlsons were you taking Sarah? It might just have to do with dosage, as I said in my response to Chantelle above. The only thing is I’m nervous to recommend taking more of the Carlsons than it says on the bottle… just because the vitamins in it have been added back synthetically and the ratios are usually off (I’m not sure if that could be harmful). I think getting to the 20,000 units of A per day is safer with the GP brand.
The other thing could be that you need the butter oil to make the CLO more effective. I’ve read testimonials on other sites not to do with acne but just health in general, and people who got no results from CLO alone improved greatly with the addition of the butter oil. Maybe the same could apply here, I’m not sure.
Anyway, if you get the liquid or gel I’d try 1 tsp a day and see how that goes.
Hey Michelle,
I was definitely taking more than a tsp, that’s for sure! Probably not a good idea! I ordered the gel from Green Pastures, so hopefully this butter oil will work. I just find I still have the bumps and cysts on the sides of my chin and along my jawline and now even little bump on my forehead. Argh! I can’t wait for the Green Pastures to come!
Let me know how the GP goes! If you’re not seeing results I would definitely look at other things…eg:
- elimination diet – could be an allergy to something you’re eating such as wheat/dairy/soy/peanuts…
- paring down your skincare/makeup regimen to really basic products – I’m currently dealing with a horrible reaction to the Oil Cleansing Method, so I have a newfound awareness of how products can wreak havoc with your skin!
- looking at your diet… I’d cut out sugar, hydrogenated oils, anything processed
- I’ve heard of people mistaking allergic reactions for acne – can be caused by fluoride in water and toothpaste, for example!
Just some quick thoughts!
Hey Chantelle! (I like the spelling of your name by the way)
The reason I switched from the capsules is because it’s more economical. After I did this post I came across some info on dosage (I probably should do a 2nd post now since it’s very confusing). Anyway, in short: you would need to take way, way more capsules (eg 10-20) to get the same dosage of vitamin A as in one or two spoonfuls of the liquid or gel. So it’s cheaper to just buck up and drink it down.
Also, I think for people who aren’t seeing results it might have to do with dosage… apparently every adult should be getting 10,000 units a day of vitamin A (that’s a maintenance dose), and I’ve read you can take 20,000 for a short-term period to treat health conditions (which I’m assuming could be acne).
Right now I’m doing 1-2 tsp of the cinnamon tingle gel per day which = 10-20,000 units. I think it takes about a month or so to start seeing changes in your skin.
Hope that helps!
Hi Michelle, Im about to finish my first bottle (capsules) of the butter oil/CLO. I gotta say, im LOVING it!!!! It has improved my acne problem and also those blemish around mouth and chin! My skin is looking way better no doubt. Im doing 4 capsules a day, usually 2 breakfast + 2 dinner. So since I am about to run out of capsules, I was wondering if I should keep it or switch for the gel. Are you finding it more effective??
Thank you !!
You know what, I can’t say definitively just yet because I had a horrible reaction to this: http://beautyeditor.ca/2010/09/02/the-single-best-product-evah-for-your-skin-is-not-in-fact-an-actual-skincare-product/ and I’ve had to go on antibiotics to fix the rash/infection/whatever. (I think the castor oil was either contaminated or dried out my skin so much that bacteria got in… nothin’ cod liver oil can do about that!)
For your skin – has the 4 caps a day totally cleared it up? The only reason I recommend the gel is because it’s more economical to take a higher amount. ie. you get more vitamin A in 1 tsp of the gel compared to just 4 caps. If you’re happy with your skin as is then no need to switch. The gel does taste nasty!
My teenage son had a very bad acne. He went to a naturopath who recommended 100,000 UI of vitamin A a day! He was only taking it for a few weeks. His hair started to fall out and his lips were very dry. It helped the acne, but he stopped taking it because of the side effects. I was surprised that the naturopath recommended such a high dose. Vitamin A,D and E are not water soluble, hence they accumulate in our bodies and aren’t eliminated by urine. If you take a large quantities of the vitamins that are not water soluble, be careful of the overdose. It is dangerous. Stores of vitamin D levels can be tested in blood.
I bought Carlson extra D cod liver oil. One teaspoon has 2000 IU of vitamin D3, 1200 IU of vitamin A and 10 IU of vitamin E. Our whole family takes one teaspoon during the fall and winter times. I am very happy with it. My son’s acne has improved. There are no side effects. We live in Canada and most people here are probably vit D deficient. I was tested by my GP and he confirmed that I am deficient. Since I have been taking Carlson, I had no cold nor flu. I read an interesting article where a MD suggested to take Carlson with extra vit D during the swine flu epidemics.
Wow, 100,000 IU? That’s crazy not to mention dangerous when you’re taking an isolated nutrient. Taking high doses of CLO is much safer because it contains D, which works in synergy with A. You may wish to read this article which explains it a lot better than I can! http://www.westonaprice.org/cod-liver-oil/1601.html
So great that your family is doing well with the Carlsons. I haven’t been sick either since I started the CLO – hooray!
Thank you, Michelle, for the informative article. I bookmarked it. It says that the excess of vit A causes liver cell damage. Can you imagine, if I trusted that naturopath who prescribed to take !00,000 IU of vit A per day for my son’s acne? This shows you that we can’t take doctors like a gospel, but we have to search every medication and it’s benefits, doses and risks before we start taking them.
You’re preaching to the choir, sista! I agree, I think we all need to take responsibility for our own health and do our own research instead of blindly listening to what doctors (even NDs) tell us to do. Thank God for the internet!
Sounds great! My question is, how bad do these taste? I’m weak when it comes to that.
If you get super queasy then I’d say go for the capsules. I don’t find the cinnamon-flavoured gel too bad but it definitely takes getting used to. I basically have to shoot it back with water or juice all in one go. There’s definitely a hint of fishiness.
Carlson cod liver oil comes with a great lemon taste, you won’t even know you are taking a fish oil.
http://www.familyherbalclinic.com/pdfs/gpp_price_list_Nov_03_10.pdf
found a clinic that sells the above item in Canada.
Cool, thanks! I need to place another order soon so will look into this.
How long does it take for the cod liver oil to start working? I’ve been taking it for about 2 months and still have bad acne/rosacea. I finished a bottle of the gel and am almost finished with the capsules of cod liver oil with high vitamin butter.
Hmmm you should be seeing results by now… which leads me to believe you might need a higher dosage. How much were you taking daily? I need to update this post because I’ve discovered that the dosage info for the caps is not high enough. The RDA (according to the Weston Price foundation) is 1 tsp which = 10 caps.
Diet of course could also be a factor? (eg sugar, processed foods, soy, anything with hydrogenated oils are bad) Plus some people are allergic to wheat, dairy or other things. Also what are you using on your skin? And how long has your skin been giving you trouble? Just wondering if there could be any other triggers.
Yeah, maybe I’m not taking enough…I’ve been taking 3 of the capsules daily…basically one with each meal.
I stay away from processed and packaged foods, and eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, nuts, sprouted wheat, whole grains. I’ve wondered if I have some sort of food allergy, so I’ve tried to limit wheat, dairy, sugar, and other various things, but can’t figure anything out. It’s definitely some sort of hormonal problem too.
Right now on my skin I’ve been using a sulfur based cleanser, and jojoba oil as a moisturizer. Somtimes I mix in a little baking soda to my cleanser as an exfoliator.
I’m 28 and have been dealing with this since I was about 20…it’s been getting really bad lately though. I was so hoping the cod liver oil would be the answer!!
Hi Jennie
I started off taking the capsules in November, but switched to the gel so that I could up the dosage. I was originally taking about 6-8 capsules a day which is quite expensive, but has made a world of difference.
I started getting really bad acne about 3 years ago, and like you I stay away from processed foods, wheat, dairy and sugar but to no avail! The CLO has made a difference, I’ve still got some acne under the surface, but it has improved a lot. I’ve also simplified my skincare and cleanse with a hot compress and an organic cleanser (MV Organics) and use jojoba oil as a mosturiser as well.
I think you just have to patient and maybe up the CLO dosage. Stay positive, I’m sure it will improve!
Thanks Jess. I’m going to up my dosage to about 6 pills a day and see how that goes!
Let us know if the 6 caps a day makes any difference Jennie! I really need to update this post because now that I’ve had the chance to try the gel (cinnamon flavour) that’s what I would recommend for acne – 1-2 tsp/day. Like Jess says the dosage makes a huge difference, so I wouldn’t want to see you give up too soon for that reason. I honestly get a testimonial or two every week about CLO so I just don’t think there’s anyone who wouldn’t benefit from it.
PS – have you had hormones tested? I always thought I broke out for hormonal reasons too (as I’d always get a few spots during PMS time) but taking CLO really nipped that in the bud….
Have just tried the cinnamon flavour, which is sooo much better than the chocolate. I was finding it hard just taking 1tsp/day of the chocolate (could not keep it down!) so can now happily up the intake to 1-2tsp/day. Is it weird that I kind of like the taste of the cinnamon one?
Honestly Michelle, thank you so much for getting the word out about this liquid gold, amazing!!
My pleasure Jess! OMG I can only imagine how grody the chocolate is… I ordered some of the plain one and it is absolutely disgusting. I think it will be cinnamon only from now on!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA8YRk9UEqQ
Have you used her skin care line yourself? Thanks!
Kate Somerville? Unfortunately no – I don’t think it’s available in Canada. But have heard good things… in that vid she has really good tips re: exfoliation and hydration.
Hi Michelle! I’m interested in buying the cod liver oil/butter from Green Pastures but it estimates that the shipping will cost $26 to send to Montreal, does it cost you that much?
Yeah the shipping is expensive… I think I paid $50 last time, when I ordered 6 bottles at once. I might see if I can order from the place Lorra recommends in the comment above, they’re in Canada.
Hi,
I was just wondering, I been breaking out like crazy on my chin area. and then I read up on cod liver and other vitamins like zinc and vit E. And i’ve also did a cleanse because i am soooooooo desperate for them to fade I guess they have faded a little but there is still reddish brownish spots from the pimples. So I was wondering how long do you think it would take for it to absolutely clear up? And is it true acne gets worse before it gets better?
Thank You
I think most people are seeing results in about a month, but it depends on the dosage. Some do well with just 2 capsules a day (that’s what I was taking to start), while others need 1-2 tsp of the liquid. My advice would be to start low and see how it goes (although taking the higher dose won’t harm you in any way – it’s just expensive).
I’m not sure about the worse before better theory. Certainly that doesn’t apply to cod liver oil! You should see a gradual improvement.
I am interested to know, as I have a huge pimple growing on my cheek, where Carlsons is available. I would order the Green Pasture – but the shipping is like $26!! Although this might be a small price to pay for great skin!
You should be able to find Carlsons at most health food stores. In Toronto, The Big Carrot, Noah’s, Whole Foods…
Jane, if you have the money to spend it is a small price to pay for beautiful skin! if that’s a little too much buy the Carlson’s which is half the price. Both will beautify your skin. I speak from my own experience!
Just bought some capsules today!
Pretty stoked!!
With the capsules, does it matter which flavor you get? Thanks.
Nope – the main ingredients are all the same so it wouldn’t matter which flavour you choose. The flavouring in the one I take is just cinnamon oil.
OMG YEEEEES! I’m a little freakish and I shew the capsules open… It reminds me of when my mom (yes, me too) used to spoon-feed the stuff to us kids. Now, I;m seriously considering rubbing a little into my skin…
OMG YEEEEES! I’m a little freakish and I chew the capsules open… It reminds me of when my mom (yes, me too) used to spoon-feed the stuff to us kids. Now, I’m seriously considering rubbing a little into my skin…
(Amended! Argh it’s been a long day… :}
Same here! I think my parents fed me CLO until I was at least 10. Not sure why it fell out of favour because it’s amazing – I never get sick anymore, not to mention I enjoy all the fab skin benefits!!
Would anyone be interested in getting together on an order of the Green Pastures so we can take advantage of bulk prices and save on shipping? We can mix and match flavours and capsules/gels. I live and work in the Queen/King west area of Toronto but am also up in the Yonge & Eglington area occasionally.
Just out of curiosity, I went into a health store and asked about their CLO’s.
The employee actually recommended Omega 3 Fish Oil instead of Cod Liver Oil.
She was saying because Cod is a bigger fish that there is a higher chance you’ll intake more chemicals. She also said that the Vitamin D and Vitamin A conflict with each other and don’t necessarily have a great affect on you.
I don’t know.
I’m sticking with Cod Liver Oil.
Just wondering if anyone else has heard anything like this before?
Yes, I’ve heard all of this but it’s just propaganda.
Regular fish oil is highly refined and usually rancid, plus it does not contain the vitamin A and D that are so beneficial for your skin (and entire body).
According to Sally Fallon Morell of the Weston Price Foundation: “…Nor do we recommend fish oil, as it is invariably rancid (they boil it at 230 degrees for several hours!!) and also will overload with EPA [eicosapentaenoic acid], which is not desirable.”
It’s true that the vitamin A and D need to be in the right ratio to be safe, and that’s why I don’t recommend brands other than the Green Pasture’s. (Good article here on how it’s manufactured: http://www.westonaprice.org/cod-liver-oil/1602-update-on-cod-liver-oil-manufacture.html) Most CLO undergoes heavy processing (like fish oil), which strips out these vitamins so they have to add them back in at the end. GP uses an old-fashioned fermenting technique that retains the vitamins. There’s tons of info on the Weston Price site about this but you could start here if you want to know more about the ratio thing: http://www.westonaprice.org/cod-liver-oil/1603-response-to-dr-mercola-on-cod-liver-oil.html
As for chemicals, no, not a concern at all. GP tests carefully for pathogens, PCBs and heavy metals and even if they were a possibility, they accumulate in the protein not in the liver or oil.
Hope that helps!
Does anyone know what’s the best cod liver oil brand that I could get at Shopper’s Drugmart? Something flavoured, that doesn’t taste too much like fish please.
I only recommend the Green Pastures brand – but I know some people are having luck with Carlsons! Not sure if it’s specifically at Shoppers but should be fairly widely available.
Hey! I love this article and am going to run out to whole foods tn to get some carlsons cod liver oil
I am just worried about those dreaded fish burps and stinky breath lol! I was wondering if getting a flavored version will eliminate those fish burps or I even heard that putting pills in the freezer will help. What do u think? I am still debating on pills vs liquid. I suffer from mild acne and am hoping this regimen will help with that and even out my skin tone too! maybe thats a bit too much to ask but im willing to try 
Hey! I loved your article and im running out to whole foods to get some carlsons cod liver oil
I am still debating on pills vs liquid. Do u know how to avoid those dreaded fish burps i hear about? I dont know if getting the flavoured cod liver oil helps or not or I even heard that freezing the capsules helps also… I have moderate acne and I am hoping that will help as well as even up my skin tone a little bit. Maybe this is too much to ask but i am willing to try! Thanks in advance!
I promise you I’ve never had fish breath
Nor have I experienced this burping thing that people talk about, but I’ve read that it is more likely to happen with the capsules.
Oops sry i didnt see my comment in the posts so i wrote it again lol :s
I am so glad I stumbled upon this article quite randomly! (Also I’ve been checking out the rest of your blog and really enjoying your articles!
I just received my jar of Carlson’s that I ordered off of Amazon (not terribly expensive) and I’m planning on taking 2 capsules a day, and seeing how that goes. I’m excited to try this! I have basically good skin for most of the month but every time PMS hits I end up getting at least one or two volcanoes on my chin. Huge, painful zits! Which is odd because the rest of my face is so clear most of the time. I thought it was a hormonal thing but I had my levels tested and everything came back completely normal…. so odd. I know it’s silly to worry about a handful or chin pimples every months but they’re incredibly painful and no amount of benzoyl peroxide (or sulphur or toothpaste- hey, I get desperate! haha) seems to hold them off. Gross!
Anyway, I will update on my results! I’ve also found that taking 25-50 mg of zinc per day helps quite a bit, along with cutting back on dairy, which I seem to be allergic too. Also, something that’s been helping my skin texture in general, along with clarity, is a couple drops of tea tree oil mixed with my moisturizer morning and night- works like a dream! Just thought I’d share
Welcome Eliza! The CLO should help – I had the same thing and it was the only thing that worked for me. Some more tips here: http://www.westonaprice.org/ask-the-doctor/200-acne.html
I think I’m going to try no dairy next, have heard it helps with milia (those closed comedone thingies). Wish I could do zinc but every time I try it, it makes me so nauseous.
Thank you! About the zinc thing, have you tried taking them with food? I’ve found that the only way I can take them without getting nauseous is with a piece of bread and some water, that seems to help.
Ah – that might help, you’re right! How long did you take it before it worked, and what specific results did you notice?
I started noticing a difference rather quickly, actually. The zinc seems to keep my skin smoother and much less congested, like the pores are cleaner overall. And when I do get zits they heal more quickly! Supposedly zinc helps with tissue repair and cell division, so the better healing kind of makes sense. I hope it works for you if you decide to try it again! And so far so good with the CLO, I should be starting to PMS right now (I can tell based on the migraine I just got, sigh) and my chin is clear as can be, surprisingly. I didn’t think the CLO would start working so fast, so maybe it’s something else? Either way, I hope it stays this way!
Yay! And I think you’ve sold me on the zinc now too, I should give it another shot.
Hi Michelle,
Not at all what my derm pitched to me. I don’t want to be stuck taking pills my whole life. That’s why I love that the CLO is natural!
I just stumbled onto this article, and immediately started looking for the Green Pasture’s product. I have struggled with moderate acne for years (I’m 28 now) and have tried everything–hormones, Retin-A, Proactiv, even Accutane. The Accutane worked the best for me–my skin really was amazing! However, I have since run out, and my skin has relapsed
I found the vitamin and CLO blend on Amazon with FREE shipping! Just to let people know…
How much did you say you take? What is the maximum amount? Also, do you know the difference between “emulsified” and regular? And what is the “gel?”
I will keep you updated on how it works (I hope, I hope, I hope!!!). Thanks so much for the info!!
Great that it’s on Amazon!
I would start with at least 1/2-1 tsp.
1 tsp = 10,000 IU of vitamin A
According to the Weston A. Price foundation, you can go up to 20,000 IU if needed. But maybe start low and see what happens – should take about a month to start noticing results.
I think the emulsified just means you get a better flavour. The CLO/butter oil blend that I take is a gel – so it’s solid-ish when you refrigerate it… but liquid at room temp. (You don’t actually have to refrigerate it if you prefer the liquid consistency.)
Just ordered a bottle of the capsules! I will report back with results.
I’ve been playing around with natural skin remedies for ages, and though some seemed to prove lasting results, hormonal breakouts seem inevitable.
I had lovely skin up until my last period, and then made the mistake of taking Vitex (chaste berry), which amped up the androgen production in my system. Whoops.
I’ve heard good things about Guggul too… have any experience with this one? I’ve read that NOW Foods has the best supplement form of this on the market. Hmmm…
Oh no – chasteberry gave you worse breakouts? Crazy! I had always heard it was good for acne… wow. I think some of the herbal treatments out there can do really weird things to the hormones (eg saw palmetto as well). That’s why I like the CLO – it’s so simple and time-tested!
Haven’t taken Guggal. You might inquire with Pure + Simple about that as I know they sell a lot of Ayurvedic supplements. http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=233&Itemid=27
Anyway please let us know how the CLO works out for you!
Thanks for the link! I’ll be sure to check that out, and definitely refer back to this post, once I have had time to see how I react to the CLO, and the Guggal.
I though it was peculiar myself, but for now, the chasteberry has scared me away from going any further with it. Maybe I’ll get brave and test the waters again someday, but it definitely makes you wonder… foods these days have so many hormones in them to begin with, that it’s hard to get the right balance when you start taking supplements that have hormone altering properties.
Thanks for the lovely resources! Hopefully I will love Green Pasture’s CLO as much as you do!
Hey! First, I’ll like to say great article!
After I read your article, I went out and bought a bottle of Carlsons to try in hoping it will clear up my acne!! I get a lot pimples especially on my chin. They seen to never go away! 
I keep getting those hard under the skin cystic kind of pimples and they hurt a lot. Right now i have 3 cysts and a few whiteheads on my chin 
and i have been taking Carlson for almost a month now!! 3 teaspoon everyday! It seens to not be working? Like I thought it did since my skin did start to clear up a bit! 
but then after i always end up getting cystic pimples and whiteheads. i don’t know whats wrong. Do you have any other suggestions that may help me clear up my acne or not get cystic acne? They hurt so much makes my chin always red and swollen looking 
It’s because you’re not getting enough vitamin A. If you look at the nutritional label (see here http://www.carlsonlabs.com/p-108-cod-liver-oil-regular-flavor.aspx but it will also be on your bottle), 1 tsp of Carlsons only has 850 IU of vitamin A. This is why I only recommend the Green Pastures brand… just to compare, 1 tsp of Green Pastures has 10,000 IU of A.
Hi,
Thanks for all the awesome information…I just ordered a bottle of Green Pasture’s in cinnamon and I am super excited to try it. Usually I tend to try and do things the cheap way, but this time I’m all in. I feel like I have tried everything I can think of and nothing is working, but this sounds so promising! I was just curious if anyone could please tell me about how long a bottle of the gel stuff lasts you if you were to take 2 tsp per day.
Thanks so much!
There are 240 mL in a bottle. If 1 tsp = 5 mL then that’s 48 days per bottle. 24 days if you take 2 tsp.
So I just got my Cinnamon Tingle from Green Pastures and tried it once and it was AWFUL…I don’t know that I can take it anymore because of the taste. I spent a lot of $ and want to take it to treat the acne…any tips on how to mask the taste? I now know that I should’ve bought the capsules, but it’s too late forthis bottle….HELP!
try chasing it with orange juice it helped.
It takes getting used to but believe me the cinnamon is WAY better than the unflavoured kind. Try sucking on a lemon slice first and then shoot back about 1/2 tsp at a time with a glass of water or juice, and then sucking on the lemon again. Pretend you’re swallowing tequila or something. If you do 1/2 tsp at a time and shoot it back instead of tasting it on your tongue, it should be easier to get down.
And no don’t beat yourself up about the capsules. If you want results the gel is the way to go. You’d need to be taking 10-20 capsules a day to get the same vitamin level as what’s in 1 tsp of the gel.
Has anyone tried the Arctic Mint flavor of Green Pastures CLO? (liquid)
I, too, tried the Cinnamon Tingle gel and hated it. I’ve been taking the Carlson’s for a few months now and find it VERY tolerable.
Oh really? I love the cinnamon! Haven’t tried mint but I’ve heard the ginger is very good. Carlsons has a different taste because it’s not fermented (and is therefore not as good for you).
I’ve just received my Green Pastures Butter Oil/CLO Cinnamon blend in the mail and can’t wait to try it out. I ordered through GPA Wholefoods (Australia) and it arrived within days. Will report back!
I just got the green pastures in cinnamon tingle gel. Is it suppose to be thick?
Yes if you keep it in the fridge it’ll be a solid gel. But you don’t have to – if you leave at room temp you can take it as a liquid.
@ Lindsay S. I bought the cinnamon tingle gel from Green Pastures and hated it too!! The last time I took it by teaspoon it almost came up again. I went and bought the GP capsules and I can take these easily but I did not want to waste $60+ I spent on the gel…this will likely be way to labor intensive for most people but this is what I did: I went to a local natural foods/supplement place and picked up a bag of empty capsules ( you can get gelatin or non-gelatin), then I went to a few pharmacies and asked for the plastic syringes for liquid meds (they have these behind the counter packaged individually and are free!) I went to a few pharmacies to try and find the best tip, size, plunger etc. It’s a lot of trial and error. Next I went home and popped in a movie and started opening the capsules and injecting (take the gel out of the fridge and let it get to around room temp. first). I tried a few different syringes to figure out which worked the best. I won’t lie, this is a messy, slow, stinky, sticky process and some product will be wasted but I’ve done almost 200 capsules now (about 100 at a time) and there is still some gel left in the container! There will be some oiliness on the outside of the capsules but that’s fairly unavoidable and I would rather taste a hint of cinnamon rather then taking a teaspoon of it. When I finish off the bottle I will try injecting with a dropper (I bought this at Walmart in the pharmacy section). I’m debating on whether or not I want to buy another bottle of the gel and do this all again but you do get way more capsules this way as compared to GP 60 capsule version. By the way thanks Michelle for writing about cod liver oil!!
Kandee Johnson’s video points out that she has a sensitivity to soy that shows itself in her skin. It took me years to realize it, but the same thing happens to me with dairy products. I can do cheese and butter without worry, but I can’t eat more than about a 1/2 cup of milk, yogurt, ice cream, etc. unless I want a cystic acne breakout. And I can’t do that on a daily basis either. I think I’m fine with cheese and butter because those are naturally eaten in lesser quantities.
Ugh soy is horrible! I avoid it like the plague. It can definitely contribute to breakouts. As for dairy – glad you found out that it’s a trigger. I think it might have something to do with the pasteurization…. with the exception of some cheeses, raw dairy is illegal in Canada so it would be hard to test that out. Have heard others have been ok with organic dairy though – have you tried that, just out of curiosity?
This is me. At 30 and just off the pill, I have the skin I had at 19. Not good. I have just started CLO as part of a pre-conception multi-vit but its probably not hardcore enough as you said, will replace with a fermented one. thank you thank you, Ill try anything once……
Let us know how it goes!!
I have tried just about everything. I will spare you my long, heartbreaking story and cut to the chase – I got help through a book. Read Kim Snyder’s ‘The Beauty Detox Solution’. I’ll tell you this much, I’ve eaten nothing but greens, and her famous ‘glowing green smoothie’ for THREE days and I can see a massive difference. This includes (but is not limited to
pore shrinkage, even toned, glowing skin, reduction in post pimple redness, less breakouts, less wrinkles
Check out her blog by googling her…
The woman GLOWS in every damn picture. What more proof do you need? I’m tellin ya’, if all else has failed, give this a go.
Hi Myranda, I’m familiar with Kim’s blog. I’m happy you have found something that’s working for your skin so far, but I would also encourage you to do some more research about vegan diets. They have a seductive message and a lot of people see immediate results (clearer skin, weight loss etc) based on the increased consumption of fresh veg and also from cutting out potentially allergenic things like gluten and dairy. However there are many long-term health problems with veganism so I’m strongly against it. You should look into the book by Lierre Keith called The Vegetarian Myth. 180 Degree Health is also an excellent blog that dismantles many of these dangerous diet fads out there (vegan, low carb etc) – see here: http://180degreehealth.blogspot.com/2009/11/vegan-aftermath.html. They can really f*ck up your body long term.
Have you tried cod liver oil yet? You can’t get that level of vitamin A through non-animal sources.
I started using cod liver oil almost exactly one month ago because it is supposed to be so good for your skin. Not only am I pleased with my skin, but my hair has now taken on a glossy sheen. That’s a nice added bonus.
I first bought Carlson’s Lemon Flavored, which I got used to almost right away. I liked Carlson’s, but I wanted to try the Fermented Butter Oil/Cod Liver Oil from Green Pastures because I read that it was supposed to be even better for you. I ordered the Chocolate Cream.
Then I started reading where so many people hated that flavor and thought I’d made a big mistake. When it came today, I was actually fearful of even opening it, expecting a hideous fishy smell. When I didn’t experience that, I was still afraid to actually ingest it. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to get it down. Remembering something I’d read, I put a little raw honey on it and had a glass of water poured so I could immediately kill the taste.
Imagine my surprise when I finally put it in my mouth and found that it tasted…great! I hadn’t meant to give it to my son because I thought he’d hate it. Instead, I’d already decided that the Carlson’s would be fine. I’d begun starting him on it and at least I knew he was fine with taking that. Why battle if I didn’t have to? But, after trying it, I gave some of the Green Pastures chocolate cream to him. He didn’t even want honey on it. He swallowed it and he had no problem with it either. Actually, he liked it.
So I don’t know why I keep reading so many posts about its being pasty and tasting nasty. Maybe that’s without the butter oil in it.
That’s great! I haven’t tried the chocolate but maybe I will now. Have been pretty happy with the cinnamon although I’ve noticed some batches are better than others. I had one bottle that was really grainy and heavy on the butter oil… not that tasty. But because it’s made the old-fashioned way these variations are to be expected!
So glad it has given you such amazing results!!
i am 31 years old, never experienced acne until my adult years starting at age 22!! Wow what an ordeal! Tried it all ProActive, Vitamin B5 (very high doses), Herbal skin dissorder stuff, green tea daily, antibiotics (til I was sick) probiotics from the U.S., the birth control pill, and the list goes on and on! You name it, I tried it! I live in Regina SK, Canada, and tomorow I am going out and buying myself some Cod Liver Oil. Yes I will let you know my results! It is crazy what I will do or have done just to clear my skin. I even quit drinking all coffee. Nothing works, and I mean NOTHING!! It has gotten to the point I don’t want to leave my house anymore! 10+ years of research and Im done, now to something new, thanx, Rachel.
I hear you! There are a lot of people out there that dermatologists just haven’t been able to help… and in some cases they harm! I hope the CLO works for you… if you take the Green Pasture kind it’s extremely high in vitamin A so would work similar to Accutane without the side effects. Let us know how it goes!
Well im very happy with my results after the first 3 days I had results. After a week i was glowing! I guess I was VERY low on vitamin A &D ! Im a lifer now!
Yay!!! It should keep on improving over the next month or so.
Hello I’ve read all your comments on Cod Liver Oil and I ordered it on ebay and I hope I got the right one “Green Pastures High Butter and Fermented Cod Liver Oil” $47.00 plus “Free Shipping”, but sold it only in capsule form…120 caps per bottle and recommend 2 caps a day. They had several to choose from and these are the other ones they offered, which I found somewhat confusing and was wondering if you could explain the differences…I hope I don’t confuse you. 1:) Green Pastures Fermented Cod Liver Oil/Butter Oil Blend (Blue Ice Royal) 120 non-gelatin caps. 2:) Green Pastures Blue Ice Butter/Cod Liver Fish Oil Blend. 3:) Green Pastures Butter Oil/ Fermented Cod Liver Oil Blend. 4:) Green Pastures Blue Ice Royal Butter/ Cod Fish Oil Blend. Thanks
I think it’s just different sellers on eBay listing the name slightly differently – they all sound like they’re the same thing. Just look at the bottle and compare to the Green Pasture website.
I actually recommend the gel over the caps now – it ends up being more economical because you’d have to take 10-20 caps to get the same amount of vitamin A that is in 1 tsp of gel.
Hi
Ive stumbled across your website after a google search for cystic acne cures/treatments.
Im 29 and have had acne since about 13, admittedly its better that it has been in the past but thats probably due to a better diet and cleansing routine, but im mostly getting the hard lumps along my jawline & chin.
That aside i really would of thought i would of grown out of it by now!! Im turning 30 in December and am finding still having spots really quite depressing.
I have tried peels & microdermabrasion in the past but to be completely honest it made no difference and cost a lot of money.
Ive been contemplating IPL treament and then i found your blog…..
Annoyingly i live in the UK so i cant get any of the brands you’ve discussed.
I dont suppose you can help me hunt down a decent uk brand as i dont want to waste my money but im not 100% sure what im looking for when searching!
Thanks muchly x
Forget that i think ive found a uk website that sells green pastures happy days
Great! Let us know how it goes. You’ll probably want to start out with 1 to 2 tsp daily of the gel, not the caps.
Here are some listings for sellers/brands avail in Europe:
BEST:
Natural Food Finder: naturalfoodfinder.co.uk/products carries Blue Ice High-Vitamin Fermented Cod Liver Oil, biokult, raw honey, coconut oil, high vitamin butter oil
Red23: red23.co.uk carries Blue Ice High-Vitamin Fermented Cod Liver Oil
Q Naturals Webstore – Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver and High Vitamin Butter Oil http://www.qnaturals.nl
GOOD:
Healthspan Ltd., 0800 73 123 77, healthspan.co.uk
Goldshield, goldshield.co.uk
Lysi, nordicstore.net
Does the Butter Oil/ Fermented Cod Liver Oil Blend work better than the regular Fermented Cod Liver Oil? What is the difference? And does the flavor really matter?
It’s hypothesized that the combination CLO/butter oil is more effective than CLO alone – this is based on Weston A. Price’s research. You could certainly try CLO alone as I think many have still had results… I haven’t tried it though so can’t compare.
Flavour doesn’t have any impact on your skin. Just personal preference! I find the plain one really gross but cinnamon is no problem.
Can I use the drugstore brans like Scott’s or Finest Natural ? I can’t afford buy the other brands you guys are buying
I f so how much should I drink per day ?
I only recommend the Green Pasture brand because it is highest in nutrients with no synthetic vitamins – that’s the problem with most if not all of the cheaper brands. Basically you have to take a lot more of a cheaper brand in order to get the same level of vitamins A & D (which are what’s good for your skin) as are in Green Pasture… and I am not sure how safe that is. There is a more detailed explanation here: http://www.westonaprice.org/cod-liver-oil/238-cod-liver-oil-basics
Hello, I just had to tell you I just found your blog today been reading posts for over an hour and I can say without hesitation I would count it among my top ten favorite beauty blogs EVER!!!! And I’m not even Canadian:)
I was surprised and happy to find someone else( well someone else who is still “into” beauty) who shares the same say no to retionol, microdermabrasion, etc.. Same reasons.
Although I’ve never had an issue with acne because of your article and the comment from a reader who like me used to be “forced” a tsp full by Nana (during winter). Here’s why and you may find this interesting she was big believer in the powers of A & D ointment( if not sold in Canada an ointment with the a & d coming from cod liver oil). She used it as her night cream. She had FANTASTIC skin. I used it for my children and it cleared up a scalp issue on my youngest that nothing the derm gave us would. I stopped using it on my face after I found La Mer but I may just try it again.
Aw thanks Denise! I totally want to get my hands that! Probably better than La Mer – that stuff is just fancy mineral oil you know.
So is it just called A&D Ointment? All I can find is stuff for diaper rash… http://well.ca/products/ad-diaper-rash-cream_25354.html But it says the vitamins come from cod liver oil… is that the same thing?
Yup, that’s it. It’s marketed for diaper rash mostly now but back in the day, was sold as more of an all purpose healing ointment like aquaphor.
‘Yeah I know I’ve heard that about la mer, but I swear it does great for my skin. Even if it’s just the ritual, looking forward to washing/moisturizing every night, the texture that warrents massaging it in, etc. I’m a huge believer in the placebo effect.
Oops I apologize just looked at your link and actually no that’s not it. It’s marketed it for diaper rash but there’s no zinc oxide in it. This is it http://www.drugstore.com/ad-original-ointment-diaper-rash-and-all-purpose-skincare-formula/qxp13117?fromsrch=a+%26+d.
Oh ok – cool! I was thinking the zinc oxide could work as sunscreen actually!
I read this post ages ago and really wanted to try it, because although I had been controlling my acne-prone skin quite successfully with the AcneFree/Proactiv products for the last couple years, for some reason in the last month or two my skin’s stopped responding and is totally breaking out again.
Unfortunately, being the cheapo college student I am I wasn’t keen on spending a lot of money on something I didn’t know for sure would work, so I finally decided now to start small with the Shopper’s Drug Mart no-name brand capsules. I think I’m going to start with two a day, though I’ll probably end up puncturing them and trying to eat them on/in something else since I just took my first one now and swallowing that large of a capsule was sort of uncomfortable. I must just be over-sensitive.
I’ll let you know how it goes!
Good luck! The thing is though that drugstore CLO contains far less vitamin A than Green Pastures… hopefully you will still get results but if you don’t, that would be why.
Wow amazing going to try it out on myself. Used in my dogs meals and his hair stopped dropping altogether so now its my turn for my problematic skin. Thanks enjoyed your bloggm
Hi michelle,
Glad you have something that works for your skin. Unfortunately for me, any fish-based supplement is a real no-no, including CLO. I have a blood coagulation disorder which reduces my blood’s ability to clot, and fish oil supplements of any description only make that worse. Anyone taking blood thinners should also check with their doctor before combining it with fish oil supplements.
Fortunately, eating actual fish is no problem!
Jenna ( another one, not the others who have posted above!)
Oh that’s too bad. You can get vitamin A from liver though… that’s what I would do if I had skin issues and couldn’t take the CLO. Apparently you can buy it in dessicated form.
Well thankfully my skin care range is sent from heaven (for my skin anyway!) so I don’t feel the need to take anything else. Just putting the info out there for anyone else who has a blood clotting disorder or who is taking blood thinners!
Hi Michelle! I just want to say thank you for posting this on your site. It is sooooo helpful. I just turned 27, 3 weeks ago and ive been dealing with all sorts of acne since I was 23! Ive tried everything including antibiotics which i hated to do but was desperate
I just ordered the blend CLO and I really hope it works for me. I will let you know if it does. I do have faith though. And again I can’t thank you enough for your lovely and helpful reviews.
My pleasure! Have you had any results yet?
Hi Michelle,
I recently started taking Evening Primrose Oil for my skin and it seems to be helping. I agree – regular fish oil hasn’t helped me either. Do you know if I can take EPO along with CLO?
Thanks!
Hi Kerry,
Just wanted to put my 2 cents in! I have been taking EPO for years and have started on CLO a few months ago, I take them both everyday.
Yes this is ok because EPO is omega 6 whereas CLO is omega 3.
I just purchased the Greens CLO with out butter. I have had acne since I was 12 and have tried everything to no avail. (I’m 48) I recently stopped eating all dairy and I could see and feel the difference in my skin in one day. Now, two weeks later, I’m very happy with my skin and see improvement everyday. I’m not completely clear but I think I will be soon. I didn’t get the CLO with the high vitamin butter because of the results I’ve had from removing dairy from my diet. Does this make sense? Should I give them a try when I run out of this CLO? How many CLO supplements do I need to take?
Thank you!!!
I don’t think the butter oil will have an impact on dairy sensitivities. (Most people react to the pasteurization process actually and are fine on raw dairy just FYI.. although we can’t buy raw dairy in Canada.) Apparently the butter oil makes the CLO work even better so if it might be worth a shot. I recommend the gel and 1 tsp daily to start (10,000 IU of A).
So if I have a queasy stomach and don’t like the smell/taste of fish, you would recommend the pills vs. the liquid? I’m leaning towards ordering the pills, even though you’ve stated the dose of the liquid is more affordable. Once I get them and take them regularly for a few weeks or a month, I’ll come back and let you know my progress. I have hormonal acne that is not responding to anything I’ve tried. I’ve wasted probably 100s if not 1000s of $$ on skin care products that do nothing. I finally am realizing that the problem is internal (duh) and nothing topical is really going to make it better. It is nearly non-existant when I’m on birth control pills, so that’s why I’m fairly certain it’s hormonal. But I really don’t want to be on BCP. I’m all ready dairy free, and nearly soy-free.
Thanks so much for this great post.
Well yes the pills are definitely easier to get down than the gel… although you do get used to it. (And the cinnamon flavour makes it not too bad.) If you get queasy make sure to take the CLO with food.
Let us know how you get on!
I’ve been using the CLO for a week and my skin looks better every day. It is terribly dry. Has anyone else experienced this?
Thanks,
Donna
I haven’t had this experience. Maybe cut back and see if it improves? (Although I can’t see how the CLO would cause this…)
Anyone know how long the gel is good for if kept in the fridge?
There’s some info on that here – you don’t have to refrigerate if you use it up within a few months. http://www.greenpasture.org/fermented-cod-liver-oil-butter-oil-vitamin-d-vitamin-a/refrigerate-or-not-to-refrigerate-that-is-the-question/
I ordered mine today! I also got a student back to school special for $35.00!
How did you get a student back to school special?!
Been taking this wonderful stuff for almost two weeks. I had two hard lumps under my skin and they are almost gone. My skin continues to look better everyday!! Yahoo!!
Hello! After hearing all these wonderful testimonials and reading this article i decided to purchase the green pastures cod liver oil (liquid form). I have been taking it for about a month and have not noticed a difference. i have only been taking 1tsp in the mornings, would you reccomend me upping this to 2tsp a day?? the nutrition facts have been worrying me as it says it is 75% of your rdv i dont want to take too much!
Thanks, Cath xxx
I’ve only tried the CLO/butter oil blend so that might be why Catherine… apparently the addition of the butter oil makes the CLO even more effective. That said a lot of people on this thread have had results using CLO alone (i.e. Carlsons). I would try increasing your dose to 2 tsp and see if that makes a difference. Obviously I have a disclaimer here that I’m not a doctor so this isn’t medical advice — but I wouldn’t worry too much about the RDV. There is some info on the Weston A. Price site that says it’s safe to get as high as 20,000 IU vitamin A daily for pregnant and nursing women, so I can’t see why it wouldn’t be safe for adults for a short time too (and then reduce your dose later for maintenance). http://www.westonaprice.org/cod-liver-oil/cod-liver-oil-basics
I would not feel comfortable doing this with brands other than Green Pasture however (because their vitamins are usually synthetic and added in processing… whereas the GP kind is a whole food).
For the past few years Ive wanted to purchase CLO from but G.P. but couldnt justify paying so much, incl, the shipping. But I stacked up on Butter/fish oil capsules, taking advantage of there back2school speacials and saved a good amount$$, this should last me through out fall/winter.
Nice thread by the way
I must have missed that deal, darn!
I just wanted to chime in here, I started taking the CLO about 2-3 weeks ago and I am completely amazed. I had scattered cystic acne all the way up until I was about 25 (I’m 30 now) and even though the cysts are only occasional anymore, my skin is generally pretty blah with blackheads, red splotches, and even the smaller blemishes I still get always leave a mark for months after. I’ve just never had what you’d call good skin.
Anyway, I dug into this post about a month ago and figured I’d try the Carlson’s just to see, since it’s not that expensive. I’m taking 2 of the 1000mg gel capsules twice a day… It took about two weeks, but MAN ALIVE Y’ALL. My skin looks so good. I mean, it’s REALLY NOTICEABLE. Just much more even-toned and clear and soft. I swear my pores even got smaller. Last week I had the very beginnings of a cyst coming in on my chin, but it shrunk and disappeared over the next 48 hours without ever even surfacing. I can’t say enough good things about this stuff. I’m converted!
Yay Sara! You don’t know how happy this makes me to read all of these comments and have my own little skin experimentation validated by others’ experiences. I’ve had the same results with improved tone and softness (and of course reducing breakouts).
Sara.
I too, have had some remarkable results from the CLO. I take four a day at one time but I think I’ll start splitting them up. My skin isn’t perfect but I’m not ashamed to be seen in public. I have had cystic acne which I think is the worst kind. It distorted the shape of my face. Lump here, lump there. I wanted to scream in frustration. I’m a waitress (48 yrs old) and there have been MANY days that took all the courage I had in me, to leave the house. I had some small lumps under the skin from old cystic acnes and they are gone!! Yahoo!!!! I haven’t had any new cystic acne since starting this.
I’m VERY happy for you. I’m very happy for all the people on here that have been able to clear up their skin.
That’s AWESOME Donna! I’m so thrilled that this worked for you! Are you taking the Green Pasture pills? Because you’d probably see even better results if you switched to the CLO/butter oil gel… I take 1 tsp per day and you get a much higher vitamin A dose (so it’s more economical).
Hey Michelle,
Im a 30 year old fair skinned male…….I have been suffering from problematic skin for years but used Proactive to fix it. Well when proactive stopped I journeyed into the world of nutrition to correct the problem…..so far im still battling. While treating my candida overgrowth…..i experimented with fish oils and EVERYONE of them made my skin worse……….Then i started having severe symptoms of vitamin A defficiency……I read your blog about Feremented Cod liver oil……..i was curious so i ordered some…….I PRAY TO GOD that it works……Do you think Cod liver oil is okay for MEN to take…….i only see women on here getting results…..Let me know
Yep, no reason it won’t work on men too so definitely give it a shot! I think it will really help you out if you’re low in vit A. Get the Green Pasture brand as that is the highest A content per tsp and is in perfect balance since it’s fermented (not heat processed) so it retains all the naturally-occuring vits in the right ratios. I would take 2 tsp a day (that’s 20,000 IU) since you already have deficiencies. It should take about a month or so to see results, after which you can experiment with dropping the dosage (I take 1 tsp for maintenance). Take a look at your diet as well as the candida could also affect your skin. Are you taking a good probiotic? I recommend HMF Genestra or Metagenics.
Hey Rich,
You should also lay off the grains and clean up your diet, and along with CLO you should be good
Just curious, has anyone else noticed more hair shedding then usual after being on CLO pills/liquid for a few months? I’m not stopping CLO but I think I will cut back a bit – I’ll try to find that happy medium of no zits but less hair shedding (if that’s what’s causing it!)
Yes, I too have been shedding hair – much more than usual. I started taking CLO about 4 months ago and love the results and improvement with my skin overall. I thought my hair loss was due to stress and/or possible over coloring my hair but your post made me think there may be a connection…I started taking Viviscal to help promote hair growth about 1 month ago and not sure if its helping my hair to grow any faster but the product claims it takes 3 months to see a difference. I’m still noticing lots of hair in my brush and after washing in the drain. My hair is thin and fine enough – I hope it stops!
Hi Stephanie and Sara, please see my comment below to Jennie. Can you please confirm the brand and dosage you are taking? I suspect it might have something to do with that. I’ve never had any issues with Green Pasture.
On a separate note – how is Viviscal working for you Sara? I really want to try that!
I also have been experiencing a lot of hair shedding. I don’t know if it was this bad before I started taking CLO or not, but I’ve lost so much hair! My acne is definitely better, but I don’t want to lose all my hair either…I wonder if it really is connected?
I have not personally experienced any hair loss from taking CLO… but I think there is a connection for some people. I believe it has to do with the omegas – check out this thread of people who mention problems from flaxseed oil and fish oils: http://www.baldingblog.com/2006/04/14/flax-seed-oil-and-hair-loss/
How much are you taking? I would cut back and see if you can maintain your skin on a lower dose.
Also, the brand might have something to do with it as most contain A and D in the wrong ratios. This could have an impact on your hair loss. That’s why I only recommend Green Pasture brand… you might consider switching.
I’ve been taking the Green Pasture CLO/Butter gel. I was taking 2 tsp per day, but now I’m down to just taking 1 tsp per day, and the acne seems to still be staying away for the most part. I started taking Evening Primrose oil for the hair loss, so we’ll see if that helps! Thank you so much for this original post though…it’s amazing how much my skin has improved.
Ooooh…can’t wait to try this! I’ve suffered with acne all my life. The only product line I’ve found that really works for me is online through http://www.acnepractice.com, but it gets VERY expensive (for me, anyways!). So, finding a more affordable alternative with the added benefit of NOT being a topical product that dries out my skin would be FAB!!! I’ll try to report back when I have about 6 weeks worth of results! Thanks for your AWESOME and amazing blog, girl!
Please do report back! Would love to hear if you get results from this!
Michelle,
Yes, I’m taking the Green Pastures but it’s the capsules, four a day. I’ll look for the oil in the health food store next time I go. I’ve been leary because of the smell and taste. Thanks for the post!
Donna
I have been taking Green Pastures cod liver oil for a few months. I am experiencing extreme dryness under my eyes. This is making me look MUCH older. Can to much cod liver oil cause this?
Thanks, Donna
Hi Michelle!
I run a blog all about getting rid of acne naturally with lifestyle changes… and I HIGHLY recommend cod liver oil to my readers! I’ve been taking Carlson’s brand (sadly I accidentally ordered the regular flavour this time instead of lemon and have been choking down nasty spoonfuls of it for the last month)… I love it, but I HAD NO IDEA that there was fermented cod liver oil… that stuff looks amazing. Definitely trying that next… and so awesome to hear it ships to Canada easily, because I am also Canadian
Anyway… lots of love xo
Glad you’re on board the CLO train as well! Would love to hear how you like Green Pasture if you try it.
Thank you so much for this article. I am going to order the Royal Butter Oil/Fermented Cod Liver Oil Blend. Do you really get these results with your skin and acne with just 1/2 a tsp? I’ve been taking cod liver oil (Garden of Life brand) and haven’t noticed such results.
You could start with 1/2 – 1 tsp and see how that works for you. Some people take 2 tsp until their skin improves and then cut back.
Update: Have gone from four capsules to three a day along with two fish oil capsules and some shea butter for moisturizer and am happy to say that my skin looks much less dry. Phew……………………………….. such a challenge
Interesting… maybe it was too much A for you. Although that’s way less than the 10,000 IU recommended daily dose. I’m stumped! But glad you figured out what works for you.
Thanks for this. In 3 weeks, a tsp of Carlson’s a day has entirely changed my skin around. Horrible acne, gone! I’m so happy. Only got one -one!- before that time of month instead of massive breakout, and even it was gone within a DAY! So pleased. Been plagued with this for years but was not willing to go on hormonal birth control like my doc suggested, because it tends to make me gain weight.
Happy!
Awesome! Isn’t it amazing to find something that works as well as the pill but without the horrible side effects? I’ll be taking CLO for life!
I’ve been taking another brand of cod liver oil – I believe it’s just the lemon/mint flavored one from garden of life – for 2 months. Hadn’t seen any results, then I heard about the fclo/hvbo blend benefits. Bought myself a bottle and started the regimen last week…no real results yet but I am going to give it some time and let you know how my results turn out! I’m hoping for the best, because like most people have stated I have tried soo many things to no avail! It just gets so frustrating after battling this nasty problem.
I’ve been having pretty good results with Nordik Naturals but I just bought some Garden of Life lemon/mint because it’s less expensive, but it sounds like it’s just not as good. I am going to order the Green Pastures with butter oil even though it’s awfully expensive. Thanks for the comment, Veronica, and please update with your results.
WOW…really all I have to say. At first when I started the regimen, I was hesitant. I hadn’t really seen any improvements, but then again it had only been between 1 – 2 weeks. I guess I was just getting impatient and really wanted to see results. Then, at around 3 weeks, I really started noticing improvement! I even went away for thanksgiving break ( here in America ) and when I came back to college my roommate even commented that my face looked much clearer. All I was doing was 2 tsp a day of the *GREEN PASTURE’S* CLO/HVBO and a little bit of Sally B’s Skin Yummies mineral make up (which is also amazing). I would say my face is about 90%, which is such a great improvement so I’ll take that!!! I actually ran out of the gel so I ordered some more and it just came in the mail today, so I’ll be able to start up again. Hopefully my face will get 100%, but for now I am very happy with these results!! Finally, something that works! Totally recommend this to anyone and everyone – because it’s got so many healthy benefits, really an unending amount.
Amazing testimonial! Thanks Veronica!
Found your blog after finally going off the BCP and getting a nasty cyst on my chin 2 months in a row the week before my period. Ugh, I’m too old for this!! Anyway, BCP was giving me migraines so I guess zits is better, but really, I’m so over it. Had a cortisone shot today because I’m vain
, but would like to treat the source of the problem instead. I take a lot of supplements (we’re trying to get pregnant), including Vitamin D (my doctor tested me and I was deficient – as are most adults). I’m planning on ordering the Green Pasture CLO, but can’t seem to find any information the amount of Vitamin D in their products. I don’t want to take more than I should. Do you have any info or should I just email them?
Thanks!
Dave Wetzel (the manufacturer) had some info on this from his blog:
2340 IU vitamin A per gram (11,700 IU per teaspoon)
234 IU vitamin D (1170 IU per teaspoon)
I would not worry at all about it being too much vitamin D – if anything, you could probably supplement more in winter if you live in Canada. That’s what my naturopath advised me to do.
Best bet is to email them .. but I think somewhere on this thread there is the info.
Or you just get a bottle of Carlsons in the meantime and there is the nutritional facts on the bottle
I am usually very careful with any product I recommend to people but this time I have to speak… Just like our much-adored Michelle here, I have tried absolutely everything, including birth control pill ( gave me nastiest UTI’s), chemical peels and any skin-friendly diet or regimen out there to combat my persistent adult acne but absolutely nothing worked. As soon as I found this blog and later on the article I decided that there’s not much to lose and gave it a shot ordering green pasture’s regular cod liver oil. There was no effect the first 6 weeks, but I’m happy I didn’t quit. After about two months, my face started clearing up and now day after day it’s getting better. I’m dealing with post-acne hyper pigmentation at the moment, which is nothing compared to acne itself. Skin on my entire body is absolutely amazing to the touch and I have not broken out in over a month now, although my pre-Christmas diet is not stellar and my skin routine has gone to minimum. I’m hoping, fingers and toes crossed, that the magic effect will last, even if I have to take cod liver oil for the rest of my life.
Hooray! So glad you stuck with it and it’s working for you! What dosage/format are you taking? Just wondering if increasing it might speed things up for you…
Also, for hyperpigmentation have you tried Retin-A, glycolic/lactic acid or hydroquinone 4%? That’s my big thing for 2012 so I’m experimenting with the first two… although all three can be beneficial.
I take one tablespoon of GP’s CLO a day and actually enjoy the gradual effect. Honestly I don’t think I can handle taking this ‘goodness’:) twice per day…
I have been on the lookout for a Retin-A treatment for quite some time, I used to do Retinoid acid peels back where I come from, and wasn’t sure if Shoppers here sells anything Retinol-related without a prescription?..I do use treatments with glycolic ( Intaglio) and lactic ( Pevonia Botanica) acids and although they seem to be working slowly, I fail to notice any significant anti-wrinkle effect- after years of using harsh anti-acne treatments I really feel the need for something that will help my very dehydrated skin…
I just bought six bottles of the Green Pastures cod liver oil/butter oil gel because of the discount. I am so hopeful about this stuff and can’t wait to see the results! If anyone out there lives in Victoria, BC and would like to try a bottle or two, I’d be happy to sell two or three of them at cost.
Thanks a lot for this *really* helpful information!! *hugs* I’ve just bought some Cod Liver Oil gel from the drugstore, since I can’t still afford the GP products for now..
How many gel should I take a day?
My pleasure – hope it works for you! For dosage I go by what the Weston A. Price foundation recommends – about 10,000 IU of vitamin A daily. So you’ll need to check the label on what you bought to see how it measures up – some people get results with less. (Note: although some people do ok, I’m not comfortable endorsing brands other than Green Pasture because the ratio of vitamin A to D is not ideal. Scroll up through the comments to get background on this.) Good luck!
Hannah, I don’t know if this will help you with cod liver oil, but years ago a nutritionist told me that taking 30,000 IUs of vitamin A per day has a similar effect on acne as Accutaine, but is safer. She said to do it only for three months. Too much vitamin A affects bone growth, so you must be careful. I did not know about the skin benefits of cod liver oil until I started taking about a teaspoon of Nordic Naturals and then noticed that I had fewer break outs and virtually perfect skin. When I bought a cheaper brand (Garden of Life), the effects went away. Then I found this column and realized why. Vitamin D is also very important and apparently way more effective than the flu shot so if you can get an optimal balance of the two, plus the other benefits of cod liver oil, in my opinion, this is the way to go. My point is that you might try upping your intake to no more than 30,000 IUs of vitamin A (go by the label on your cod liver oil) for a limited period of time and see if you experience benefits, but then see if you can get away with less. Cutting out white flour and limiting dairy and sugar will also help your skin, and I find a good digestive enzyme to be vital.
I think the WAP website says 20,000 IU of vit A (through cod liver oil) is ok on a short term basis for people with health concerns or pregnant women. I would probably only take this high amount through a really high quality brand like Green Pasture though.
Interesting to hear that you had results with one brand and not the other, Marilyn! I love that this proves the A/D ratio thing. (And I’m theorizing that it’s why some people got hair loss as a side effect as well.)
I’ve also stopped getting the flu shot a few years ago and now don’t get sick when I’m regularly taking my CLO… great bonus side effect!
Thanks a lot, Michelle and Marilyn!
Here’s what I bought: http://www.philusa.com.ph/products/healthcare/rhea_overthecounter3.html the one on the left. The bottle says each softgel contains Vit A(Palmitate) – 5000 USP Units, Vit. D(Cholecalciferol) – 400 USP Units. They use USP Units, not IU, and I don’t know what’s the difference. What do you think?
Blue Ice used to be made in Scandanavia (Denmark/Norway) but in recent years (about the the last two), Green Pastures has been producing the traditional food, FCLO, in Nebraska.
Given the ‘traditional food’ nature of the fermentation, how can one be certain that the technique successfully produces the same quality as before? Temperature, technique and many nuances and subtleties in production technique.
Now please dont get me wrong as I have used FCLO for many many years and do value it highly. However I believe my questions are valid given the traditional nature of the food.
I note that the WPA articles on the website predate the change in country of manufacture and were written when the product was made in Europe and imported by GP to USA.
Dave wrote a post about this: http://www.greenpasture.org/fermented-cod-liver-oil-butter-oil-vitamin-d-vitamin-a/update-on-cod-liver-oil-manufacturing-returning-to-traditional-production-techniques-for-the-quintessential-sacred-food/
I feel confident that what he’s making is of the highest quality… but if you still have concerns, I would contact him directly.
Hey, i took cod liver oil for like a month. i really was hoping it would work out for me but i ended up with the worst breakoutt …. cystic after cystic. one on top of another
.
such a shame cause overall my skin was feeling much better, my back , my legs. never in my dream i thought it would backfire so badly.
now im on zinc 50mg a day but i might up it to 100mg for a week or two to get rid of this lill b*astards , but i will go back on cod liver oil in due time, just to give it another go!!
Michelle is it ok that I am taking a multivitamin while im taking the CLO blend?????????
I have had pretty bad hormonal jawline/chin acne and could not figure out why my face looks worse at 34 than it did at 16! I started taking this and figured out by accident – it totally cleared up my skin! I’m with you! I’ll be taking this one from now on! Thanks for sharing!
I started taking the Green Pastures FCLO capsules based on your blog. I noticed I have been getting **daily** headaches. If I stop the Green Pastures FCLO capsules, the headaches stop. When I resume taking the Green Pastures FCLO capsules, the headaches return. I take two in the first half of the day and then another one in the early evening.
Any ideas about the headaches?
I’d like to continue taking the Green Pastures FCLO capsules as my skin is definitely looking better (breakouts almost non-existent) but the headaches are a concern.
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