Which Vitamins Promote Healthy Skin in Girls?

Which Vitamins Promote Healthy Skin in Girls?
Photo Credit pretty girl image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com

Having healthy skin is as easy as A-B-C, whether you're young or old, male or female. Vitamin A, some of the B complex vitamins and vitamin C all play a role in creating and maintaining healthy skin, even in young girls. The recommended daily amounts of these vitamins vary by age, and girls need a good balance of these vitamins to keep skin looking its best.

Vitamin A

Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, reports that vitamin A helps to form and to maintain "healthy teeth, bones, soft tissue, mucous membranes and skin." Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin, which means excess amounts are stored in the body. It's important to get enough vitamin A, but don't overdo it. Diet.com explains that vitamin A helps the skin's epithelial cells remain healthy. A synthetic version of the vitamin is used in some prescription acne medications, such as Retin-A, that girls may use for skin problems. Burn victims may be given vitamin A supplements to help them regrow skin. You can find vitamin A in beef or chicken liver, whole eggs, whole milk, yellow and orange vegetables and some deep green vegetables.

Vitamin B

Two of the B complex vitamins also play a role in keeping skin healthy. Medline Plus reports that niacin, also known as vitamin B-3, helps to maintain healthy skin and nerves. Riboflavin, known as vitamin B-2, works with the other B vitamins to help produce red blood cells and help a girl's body grow. Diet.com reports it helps girls maintain good vision and healthy skin, hair and nails. The B vitamins are water-soluble, which means excess amounts dissolve and are excreted by the body in urine. That means you need to keep a steady flow of these vitamins into your body. You can find B vitamins in lean meats, eggs, legumes, nuts, green leafy vegetables, milk and dairy products. Some breads and cereals are enriched with B vitamins.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is another water soluble vitamin, which means you need to keep a continuous supply in your diet. Medline Plus reports that vitamin C is essential for the "growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body." You need vitamin C to form collagen, which is a necessary protein for making skin and scar tissue. A girl's body also needs vitamin C to heal wounds. Fortunately, you can find at least some vitamin C in all fruits and vegetables. Some of the best sources are citrus fruits and juices, green peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, cantaloupe, potatoes and leafy greens.

References

Article reviewed by Jenna Marie Last updated on: Sep 29, 2010

Must see: Photo Galleries

Member Comments