The skin requires certain vitamins and minerals to function at its optimum health and look its best. Deficiencies in certain vitamins can actually cause skin conditions and accelerated aging. However, there is always too much of a good thing, so know which vitamins are best for your skin and in what amounts so you can implement them safely into your diet.
Vitamin B Group
According to the Vitamins and Nutrition Center, the B vitamins are a group of eight different vitamins: B1 thiamine, B2 Rriboflavin, B3 niacin, B6 pyridoxine, B9 folic acid, B12 cyanocobalamin, pantothenic acid and biotin. In general, the B group helps people to break down carbohydrates that provide energy, and break down fats and proteins to contribute to healthy skin, nervous system, muscle tone and more. The B vitamins are also important to proper formation of every cell in the body. Deficiency in any of the vitamins in the B group can cause skin disorders, from acne and scaly inflammation to serious skin lesions. B vitamins also help improve circulation, enabling all the appropriate nutrients to reach the skin's surface.
Vitamin A
Different derivatives of vitamin A, such as retinol, can be found in all types of anti-aging and acne products. A deficiency in vitamin A can cause the skin to become overly dry and make it prone to wrinkles and acne. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that is essential for the maintenance and repair of skin tissues, and it helps to eliminate oxidative stress caused by free radicals.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant for the skin's good health. It provides a powerful boost to the immune system, and it's required for the formation of collagen. Collagen is a structural protein in the skin that helps keeping the skin looking young and rejuvenated. A deficiency in vitamin C can also cause dry skin.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that helps neutralize damage causing free radicals. It enhances tissue healing and repair, which is why it is one of the most common ingredients used in scar treatments. Vitamin E may also reduce cellular aging, inhibit skin cancer growth and more, although more researhc needs to be done to verify these claims.
