Although aging is an inevitable, vitamins and minerals can play a role in slowing the process and helping you maintain healthy, youthful-looking skin. Eating a balanced diet of nutrient-dense foods and beverages, avoiding processed foods and beverages that may contain substances that stimulate aging and taking vitamin and mineral supplements, particularly anti-oxidants, can help you maximize your nutritional health.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an anti-oxidant that can help you sustain youthful-looking skin. It promotes wound healing, skin elasticity and reduction of photoaging. You can consume vitamin A in fruits and vegetables or apply topical ointments and creams that contain retinaldehyde, a type of vitamin A, to your skin. Research by at France Laboratoires Dermatologiques Avene, which was published in the "Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology" in June 2011, found that retinaldehyde was effective in treating photodamaged skin. Retinaldehyde, in combination with hyaluronate, a filler used in cosmetic surgery to stimulate epidermal skin proliferation, can alleviate pigmentation issues and wrinkling, including smile lines and crow's feet.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant that synthesizes collagen and connective tissue and protects DNA, RNA, cells and tissue from damage by free radicals, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Vitamin C can reduce skin swelling, protect immune cells from sunlight and improve skin firmness and texture, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. When applied as a topical cream or ointment, vitamin C may help you sustain youthful-looking skin by repairing broken capillaries and reducing dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles.
Selenium
Selenium is a trace element and anti-oxidant that is vital in tiny amounts and plays an important role in working with enzymes called selenoproteins, such as glutathione peroxidase. Increasing your intake of selenium may protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun and improve skin elasticity. Glutathione peroxidase is a selenium-dependent enzyme that protects the cells from oxidative damage. It decreases with age, so slowing that process can help you maintain healthy skin.
Copper
Copper is a trace mineral that plays an essential role in protecting your skin from aging. Copper works with lysyl oxidase, an enzyme required to cross-link collagen and elastin, components of skin that are vital for the formation of strong and flexible connective tissue. A copper-containing compound called glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine-copper (II) can also protect your skin and help repair it.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University; Vitamin A; Victoria Drake; November 2007
- "Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology"; Retinaldehyde/Hyaluronic Acid Fragments: A Synergistic Association for the Management of Skin Aging; Andres Cordero, et al.; Jun 2011
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University; Vitamin C; Balz Frei; November 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Skin Wrinkles and Blemishes - Treatment; December 30 2008
- Glamour Magazine; Reminder: Vitamin C Is for Your Belly and Your Face; February 9 2009
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University; Selenium; Victoria Drake; November 2007
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