Last week, we talked about mixing MSM powder with aloe vera gel to make a potent acne scar fighting duo.
That was talking about putting it on your face externally, but truth be told, you can also take it internally for added skin benefits!
MSM is an organic sulphur already found in abundance in your body and a variety of foods; isolated it is a white, odourless powder. It forms the flexible bonds between proteins, which means it helps build and maintain supple, well hydrated cells in the skin.
As a result of this, it also improves hair volume & growth, wrinkles, and nail and joint strength.
Plus it’s very, very anti-inflammatory. Meaning it’s great for any chronic problem that is a result of inflammation, such as arthritis, joint pain… and you guessed it… acne! And other inflammatory skin diseases like eczema.
It’s also purportedly an insanely good detoxifier! Meaning it can help your body eliminate the toxins coming in more efficiently… and when that happens, everything works better, including the skin.
Other benefits also are apparently increased energy, better mood, and concentration.
MSM really does have a crazy list of things it supposedly does, just look ’em up for an entire run down.
So How Do You Take It Then?
Well, I bought my big bag of MSM with the intention of learning how to make the gel, but I also thought ‘you know what, why don’t I try taking it internally for a while? See what happens?’
So I looked it up and it turns out that to get the skin benefits, it’s recommended:
- First of all, make sure to get a good quality powder with no fillers, binders, or anti-caking agents
- Take around 1 to 2 teaspoons per day, dissolved in water or other liquid
- Don’t start with that much though. Start with a quarter of that and increase your dose steadily over several weeks. Because it’s a strong detoxifier, if you don’t start slow you could end up with detox acne & symptoms
- Divide your dose throughout the day, so half in morning, half in afternoon. Or dissolve in water and just sip the water throughout the day
- Avoid taking in the evening… because MSM increases your energy, taking it at night could result in insomnia!
- It’s best to take it with Vitamin C, which helps assist the MSM being absorbed and used in the skin. Squeezing a little bit of lemon or lime into your MSM water will do the trick
But here’s the thing all the MSM cheerleaders don’t tell you….. it tastes AWFUL!!
I was super upset when I opened up my bag and stuck a bit of the granules on my tongue and was surprised by the bitter taste, and quite rightly appalled.
It’s taken me weeks to actually get up the nerve to try it again and write this blog post.
But you know what, when I dissolved it in water, and added the lemon… it really wasn’t that bad at all. I would never say it was great though.
However, you’re really going to have to WANT to use this stuff, in order to get past that bitter medicine.
Some people say that it really actually works better topically if you’re using it for skin benefits, and it’s less expensive that way too. But I have heard others in my “inner acne circle” tell me that taking it internally really has made a big difference.
So…. if you’re going to go for it… good luck, and bottom’s up!
Have you used MSM internally? What’s your experience been?
I’ve battled with hormonal acne for about 7 years and since I’ve been doing the hot cloth oil cleansing method, my skin has never looked so clear and soft. As an added bonus it completely cleanses your pores, even leaving my nose smooth. My cheeks used to have little rash like bumps, but they are no more… Literally no more and I can’t believe it!! I cannot recommend it enough to everyone because I know how frustrating hormonal acne can be. In Australia there’s a line called MooGoo which you can buy in priceline, I use the combination in the oil cleansing method. There’s also a smoothing MSM cream which has been working wonders as well. Tracey if you can talk about the hot cloth oil cleansing method that would be so great!!
Hey there, that’s awesome you found something that works for you!
Hi Tracy,
Doing the Caveman regimen, skin is really clearing thank you so much. But recently I am getting spots of marks on my top lip. I have homemade toothpaste and dont wear any make up why is this happening.
You have really helped me learn to love myself more thanks!
By the way your skin is beautiful, and so is your personality.
Thank you Samantha.. I’m so happy to hear things are going pretty well. Not sure what the acne on the top lip is about, hopefully it goes away if you keep things up x
Hey Tracy,
Would you ever consider blending this into a smoothie ( I guess after dissolving it) or would this be a disaster because of the taste?
I think you could definitely get away with blending a little bit into a smoothie. You’d have to play around with how much you could get in there before it goes over the threshold though
I started with half a teaspoon in my breakfast smoothie mixed with coconut water, a kiwi fruit, a handful of spinach, a scoop of pea protein and a teaspoon of cacao + supergreens,…….and I couldn’t taste the msm, plus the kiwifruit is full of vit c to help with absorption. I recently increased the msm to 1 tsp and it’s still fine 🙂
I heard it is better to avoid blending it with anything so that you can get it full beneficial effects. Well at least for the powder form.
Found something amazing for hormonal acne!!
http://essentialsurvival.org/raspberry-leaf-the-womens-tonic/
I drank this tea during the last few weeks of my pregnancy a couple of years ago to prepare for labour and had totally forgotten about it. I’m going to make a cup right now! Thanks for the reminder about the long list of benefits of this herb. I wasn’t aware that it is beneficial for acne and balancing hormones and fertility. I don’t remember it tasting that awful either. Cheers!
In four days my hormonal acne has cleared up, so happy!
Hi Tracy, I love your site! You mention the terrible taste of MSM; here’s a site I use to buy my whey protein & exercise supplements… http://www.nutrabio.com. They offer MSM in capsule form, so anyone interested in taking it orally can do so without having to brave the bitter/terrible taste. Their MSM is kosher, vegetarian, non-gmo, gluten free, & free of any fillers or additives. I’m not affiliated with Nutrabio in any way, I’m just a loyal customer who finds it refreshing to patronize a business dedicated to providing pure, untainted products. Keep up the great work, cheers!
Will you get the same benefits of msm if you take it in capsule form?
yes, no difference at all between powder and capsules
When I read adults talking about supplements and complaining about the taste, “can i take in capsule form ”
I want to take of their pants and spank their bud , especially those who chronically ill. Seems we need to train our spoiled brains in the first place.
I am trying DIM right now and thinking on adding Vitex, I am not sure if I take MSM, Vitex and DIM would be too much for my body?
We take MSM in pure grapefruit juice. I buy MSM from an online vet store (for horses) and use boiling water to dissolve the MSM crystals, then add it to the juice plus a little stevia for taste. I make up a 60 oz bottle with 10-12 tablespoons of MSM and keep it refrigerated. We drink a glass a day which means we get approx. 1 tablespoon MSM. Tastes ok!
Hi Carol, glad you found a way to take it that isn’t so bad! 🙂
Hi there,
I work in a food supplement store and started taking MSM for my chronic joint pains and acne. Didn’t see much of a difference at first but a month late, my skin is so much nicer but I’m unsure about whether it’s from the MSM or not. Anyways, just wanted to say, I found it funny that the taste appalled you so much. I just put a tiny bit of water and take it like a shot. Still tastes acidic but it goes down so quickly it barely bothers me. Best thing tho is to put it in orange juice bc you’re supposed to take it with vit C if you want it to work best and the orange juice masks the acidic taste as it’s already acidic. Anyways, have a lovely day 🙂
Hi Cassandre! Ha! Yes, maybe different taste buds. Or maybe it varies between brands. Glad it seems to be helping you!