Your skin thrives on certain vitamins. When your diet lacks these vitamins, your skin may show signs and symptoms. If you believe that your skin is showing symptoms of a vitamin deficiency, ask your doctor to test your vitamin levels. Do not begin a vitamin or supplement regimen without approval from your health care provider.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A helps keep your skin healthy and aids in wound healing, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. You can obtain vitamin A via two sources: from animals, known as retinoids, and from plants, known as carotenoids. Without vitamin A, you may suffer from night blindness, dry eyes and skin problems. Vitamin A has such a powerful effect on the skin that many acne medications contain vitamin A, as do creams and other medications used to treat rosacea, photoaging and warts. Vitamin A is found in foods such as milk, butter, cheese and yogurt.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is responsible for helping your wounds heal faster, boosting your immune system, stimulating collagen production and aiding in the production of elastin. Without vitamin C, your skin would become very dry and tight and it would not heal as quickly from injuries or cuts. A vitamin C deficiency can leave your skin prone to bruising and cause body hair to twist and break easily, according to DermNet NZ. When this deficiency occurs, it's known as scurvy. Scurvy can be treated by consuming more vitamin C through citrus fruits, vegetables and tomatoes.
Biotin
Biotin, or vitamin H, helps maintain healthy skin, hair and nails. Biotin is so important to skin that some manufacturers include biotin when formulating cosmetic and beauty products, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Without biotin, you may suffer from dry, scaly skin and the corners of your mouth may become so dry that the skin cracks. You may also suffer from hair loss and a painful, swollen tongue. Foods rich in biotin include legumes, egg yolks, whole grains and sardines.
Zinc
Zinc is the second most abundant mineral in the body and is responsible for wound healing and maintaining normal skin health and plays an important role in blood clotting, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. While a zinc deficiency is rare, it can occur. Symptoms of zinc deficiency include loss of appetite, poor wound healing and dry skin so severe that you may develop psoriasis, acne or atopic dermatitis. Zinc is even formulated in some shampoos to help combat dandruff, or dry scalp. Foods rich in zinc include beans, peanuts, whole grains, mushrooms and green beans.
