Supplements That Help With Skin And Hair

Skin is your body's largest organ, making up about 16 percent of your body weight, according to Rutgers University. When you provide the nutrients your body needs through a healthy diet that includes essential fatty acids, proteins and vitamins A, C and E, your body has the building blocks it needs to produce healthy skin and hair. If your diet is lacking, or if you are dealing with aging skin, thinning hair or a skin disorder such as acne or psoriasis, talk to your doctor about dietary supplements that may help.

Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto, commonly known as cabbage leaf palm or the American dwarf palm tree, may help reduce hair loss and encourage healthier hair growth, writes James A. Duke in "The Green Pharmacy." Duke explains that saw palmetto seems to work by preventing the body from turning testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, which kills off hair follicles. Saw palmetto may decrease levels of estrogen or interact with medications that you are taking. Check with your doctor before starting to take saw palmetto supplements.

Biotin

Biotin, also known as vitamin H, helps you form skin, nails and hair. It promotes the metabolism of amino acids -- the building blocks of proteins -- such as keratin, the protein that forms hair and nails. The symptoms of biotin deficiency include scaly, dry skin and hair loss. You may find biotin as a separate supplement or in a B-vitamin complex supplement or daily multivitamin. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that most research to support the use of biotin is preliminary, but scientists have found no side effects or drug interactions with biotin, even at high doses. If you choose to take biotin supplements, talk to your doctor to help determine the appropriate dosage.

Vitamin A

Dermatologists may prescribe forms of vitamin A, such as Retin-A, to reduce acne or treat psoriasis. Vitamin A in the form of beta carotene helps your body produce healthy skin cells, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. Vitamin A may interact with birth control pills containing estrogen and progestin, and it may interact with other dietary supplements, such as zinc. At high doses, vitamin A can cause osteoporosis, headaches, nausea, coma and death. The Linus Pauling Institute recommends multivitamins with no more than 2500 IU of vitamin A or supplements that provide no more than 5000 IU of vitamin A, with at least half of it coming from beta carotene. Always consult your doctor before taking high doses of vitamin A.