If you have bad skin, you may not be able to fix the problem with proper skin care alone. Certain vitamins contribute to healthy skin. If you aren't getting enough of these vitamins, it can lead to skin problems. Take supplements or include foods with the right vitamins in your diet to improve your skin's appearance. Don't forget to drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated.
Vitamin A
Take vitamin A if your skin is scaly, dry, irritated or itchy. This vitamin also works well if you suffer from dermatitis. This vitamin supports the skin's ability to protect the body from invading bacteria and viruses, according to the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements. You can apply vitamin A oil to your skin. Vitamin A also is available in pill form. Foods that contain vitamin A include spinach, peas, apricots, papaya, mango, peaches, milk and egg yolk.
Vitamin C
You can use vitamin C to treat sunburns, according to the book "Linda Page's Healthy Healing, All New Eleventh Edition." People who suffer from scleroderma also can take vitamin C. Scleroderma is a skin condition that causes the body to make too much collagen. Symptoms of this disease include changes in skin color, lesions, discomfort and swelling. Take vitamin C supplements, or eat such foods as red peppers, oranges, kiwis, grapefruit, broccoli and strawberries.
Vitamin B-2
Vitamin B-2, or riboflavin, can help treat psoriasis and bring your skin back to a normal state. Psoriasis is a condition that produces skin lesions that usually have silver-colored scales. Blisters and patches of inflamed skin also may appear. Good sources of vitamin B-2 include eggs, cheese, milk, spinach, mushrooms, yogurt and lima beans.
Vitamin B-3
Vitamin B-3, or niacin, is helpful in treating dry, scaly skin, as inadequate intake of this vitamin may cause dermatitis. This vitamin helps establish normal skin. To add vitamin B-3 to your diet, include such foods as almonds, peanuts, whole grains, fish, chicken, turkey, avocados and bananas.
References
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin A and Carotenoids
- WomensHealth.gov: Staying Active and Eating Healthy
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Psoriasis
- "Linda Page's Healthy Healing, All New Eleventh Edition"; Linda Page; 2001
- "Milady's Standard Textbook for Professional Estheticians"; Joel Gerson; 1999
