Vitamins are the cornerstone of a balanced diet. These essential nutrients feed cellular functions, protect the body from disease onset and promote healthy growth and aging. The vitamins in the human diet are each classified with a letter---A, B, C, D, E and K. Vitamin B is actually a group of eight vitamins denoted by a number. Four of the vitamins play a role in repairing dry skin and keeping your nails healthy.
Vitamin A
Dry skin often leads to fissures or cracks in the skin. The cracks are often the result of dehydrated skin, which pulls itself tighter to prevent further water loss, according to the Physicians' Desk Reference. The Office of Dietary Supplements, a division of the National Institutes of Health, writes that one of vitamin A's functions is to block bacteria and viral penetration of the skin, as well as boost immune functions.
Vitamin A also affects fingernails. San Diego-area homeopath Dr. Gabrielle Traub writes that diets lacking in vitamin A can cause fingernails to be dry and brittle, leading to easier breakage.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 deficiency is evident in the appearance of the fingernails. Dr. Traub reports that vitamin B-12 deficiency is evident in dry, discolored nails with curved or rounded ends.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a powerful antioxidant, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Free radicals are rogue oxygen molecules which float through the body, causing cell mutation and tissue inflammation. Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals. Free radical damage to the skin can lead to the accelerated appearance of aging skin, increasing wrinkles, fine lines and skin dryness.
The Office of Dietary Supplements reports that vitamin C also promotes collagen strength. Collagen is the main component of connective tissues in the body, providing elasticity and strength to the skin. Skin with a strong barrier of collagen will not lose water as quickly.
Vitamin E
One of the most vital vitamins for skin is vitamin E. In addition to diminishing the appearance of scars and fighting signs of aging, it is effective in repairing skin dryness related to sun exposure. According to the UMMC, photodermatitis is a skin reaction to sunlight resulting in blisters, and dry and scaly skin. Vitamin E creams and nutritional supplements showed in a clinical study to help reduce skin damage and dryness from photodermatitis. When taken with vitamin C, the duo indicated a protective effect to future reactions.
