Beauty may indeed be in the eye of the beholder but a youthful glow is a common goal for many people. If you want your skin to look younger, there are a variety of anti-aging oral supplements that can help. Certain vitamins and minerals can boost your skin's elasticity and health, helping you to put your best face forward no matter what your age.
Background
A nutritious diet can help your skin get the vitamins and nutrients it needs to repair cells, rebuild, grow and maintain your skin's moisture and elasticity. As the skin ages, it loses collagen and elastin, which give skin its youthful, supple appearance. Certain vitamins -- such as A, C and E -- as well minerals -- such as copper and selenium -- can help your skin stay supple and healthy, reducing the signs of aging. If you do not get enough skin-boosting nutrients from your diet, you can take supplements to give your skin beneficial vitamins and minerals.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are vitamins that fight the damaging effects of free radicals on your body. Pollution, smoke and the sun create free radicals that can rob your skin of elasticity and moisture and can lead to wrinkles, age spots and even skin cancer. Vitamins C and E are antioxidant vitamins that can help your skin stay firm in the face of free radicals, preventing wrinkles. Vitamin C promotes elastin production in your skin, which helps your skin look more youthful. Vitamin E can help protect your skin from the sun's damaging rays.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A can help your skin stay plump and youthful by maintaining and repairing skin cells. A lack of vitamin A in your diet can cause skin dryness, which can make your skin less supple and more aged looking. Vitamin A comes in different forms, and the Harvard School of Public Health recommends choosing a supplement with the beta-carotene form of vitamin A, as it is not harmful when consumed in high amounts, in contrast with retinol, another form of vitamin A.
Minerals
Some minerals can help your skin stay healthy and youthful looking. When choosing a supplement, go for one with copper and selenium. Copper helps your body produce elastin, which makes skin more supple. Selenium offers antioxidant properties to help fight the aging effects of free radicals, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Warning
Supplements may help your skin but will not solve serious skin problems or offer dramatic results. Do not use supplements as a replacement for medical treatment or instead of wearing sunscreen. The University of Maryland Medical Center warns that supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so be careful not to overdose on certain nutrients. The Mayo Clinic warns against consuming more than the recommended daily amount of vitamin E, which can be fatal in large doses. See the National Institutes of Health's dietary guidelines chart to determine how much of each nutrient you need.
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