Vitamins are essential for your skin as they help to promote its healthy looking appearance, while keeping it strong and assisting in the prevention of numerous skin disorders and conditions. Vitamins can also be used to help treat acne, a common skin condition among teenagers and young adults. These vitamins can be found in various foods or consumed via tablet form, however before taking vitamins or supplements, consult your physician.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant, blocking damage that may be caused by free radicals, which naturally form when your body turns food into energy. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that vitamin C is needed to enhance the production of an essential protein called collagen. Collagen is used to make tendons, blood vessels, scar tissue, cartilage and skin. Signs of low vitamin C intake may include rough, dry and scaly skin. Good sources of vitamin C include cranberries, winter squash, strawberries, green peppers, cooked leafy greens like spinach and oranges.
B Vitamins
Certain B vitamins are beneficial for your skin. Vitamins such as vitamin B-3 or niacin is essential for keeping your skin healthy by improving circulation, vitamin B-5 or pantothenic acid helps your body deal with stress, which may result in acne. Low intake of many B vitamins such as vitamin B-6 or pyridoxine, vitamin B-2 or riboflavin and vitamin B-1 or thiamine can cause acne. MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine says that B vitamins can be found in foods such as peas, eggs, fish, dairy products, meat and beans.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is also an antioxidant vitamin, and is necessary for protecting your body from free radicals. MedlinePlus notes that free radicals are believed to play an important role in the aging process, which may lead to wrinkles. Vitamin E also stimulates blood flow in your body, helping to form new skin cells and tissues. The Vitamin & Nutrition Center says that vitamin E may be able to help reduce acne formation. Vitamin E is found in foods such as spinach, corn, sunflower seeds and what germ.
Zinc
Zinc helps to prevent acne scarring and reduces the formation of acne by controlling the activity of your oil glands. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a zinc deficiency can cause skin problems such as acne or psoriasis. Rich sources of zinc include whole grains, pumpkin, peanuts, oysters, mushrooms, pinto beans, poultry and red meats.
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