Vitamins are essential for the proper functioning of the human body. They also play an important role in skin care, from preventing acne to lessening the skin damage done by the sun. Increasing certain vitamins in your diet, taking vitamin supplements and using vitamin-enhanced skin care products are all options for keeping your skin at its best.
Vitamin A
According to a review in the journal "Clinics in Dermatology," human skin naturally contains a significant amount of vitamin A, but that amount can be depleted with exposure to the sun. Vitamin A is essential to maintain and repair skin tissue. Low vitamin A in the bloodstream has been associated with the development of acne. Both aging skin and acne are often treated with retinoids, derived from vitamin A. Over-the-counter skin care products with vitamin A will usually list "retinol" or "retinyl" on the label. These products can increase the rate of turnover of skin cells and increase collagen, a protein that is an essential building block of the skin. The result is a more youthful looking appearance. Boost the vitamin A in your diet with green and yellow vegetables and yellow fruits. Liver, fish oil and eggs are also rich in vitamin A.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is used in skin preparations as an antioxidant. This vitamin defends against free radicals, chemical particles generated by the sun, cigarette smoke and pollution that can age and damage the skin. Vitamin E is also used in skin preparations to hydrate and soften the skin. Dr. Karen Keller wrote in the "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology" that both topical and oral vitamin E may reduce damage from sun exposure and inhibit the formation of skin cancer. Boost vitamin E in your diet by eating more seeds, nuts and high-quality vegetable oils.
Vitamin C
Like vitamin E, vitamin C is an antioxidant. Vitamin C also helps to rebuild collagen. Taking vitamin C orally in combination with vitamin E has been found to lessen sunburn, according to an article in the "Journal of Investigative Dermatology." A review in the journal "Dermatologic Surgery" reported that vitamin-C-enhanced creams or lotions can provide protection from ultraviolet rays of the sun and lighten skin discolorations. Vitamin C can be found in vegetables and citrus fruits. Make sure to get enough vitamin C through food or supplements, since it isn't produced by the body.
References
- "Dermatologic Surgery"; Topical Vitamin C: A Useful Agent for Treating Photoaging and Other Dermatologic Conditions; P. Farris; July 2005
- "Journal of Investigative Dermatology"; Ultraviolet B-induced DNA Damage in Human Epidermis; M. Placzek; Feb. 2005
- "Clinics in Dermatology"; Cosmeceuticals Vitamins; M. Manela-Azulay et al; Sept.-Oct. 2009
- American Academy of Dermatology: New Study Evaluates Effectiveness of Vitamins for the Treatment of Sun-Damaged Skin
