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The Skin Vitamins Responsible For Healthy Skin

Skin vitamins are nutrients that protect and nourish the skin. Vitamins for the skin help prevent sun damage (called photodamage). Vitamins for skin care also help slow down the signs of aging (e.g. skin wrinkles).

If you want younger looking, glowing and healthy skin, make skin vitamins part of your skin care regimen. Look for skin care products that contain vitamins for healthy skin.

You should also eat foods and take supplements that are rich in skin vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Healthy skin starts from within, after all. Proper skin care requires that you not only use topical skin creams enriched with vitamins for the skin. You should also ensure that your diet is rich in vitamins that are good for the skin.

So which vitamins give skin a healthy, youthful and radiant glow? Read on to find out which vitamins are good for the skin. Once you know which skin vitamins you need, you’ll find it easier to choose skin care products and plan a skin-friendly diet.

Vitamin A - Skin wrinkles, Acne and Psoriasis

Vitamin A helps repair damage to the skin. It also indirectly benefits the skin through its immune system regulatory functions.

Vitamin A is important in maintaining skin health. A deficiency in this particular skin vitamin will lead to skin drying and flaking. If you don’t want these symptoms, be sure to stay within the Institute of Medicine’s Vitamin A dietary recommendations. Adult males and non-pregnant/non-lactating females 19 years and older should take in at least 900 and 700 micrograms (respectively) of Vitamin A everyday.

To prevent Vitamin A deficiency, eat foods that are rich in Vitamin A. Vitamin A comes from animals and plants. Cooked beef and chicken liver as well as boiled carrots and spinach are some of the greatest sources of Vitamin A. You can also take vitamin A supplements to augment the Vitamin A content in your diet.

Preventing Vitamin A deficiency is not enough, however. Vitamin A provides the greatest benefit to the skin when it is topically applied. You should look for skin care products that contain sufficient amounts of Vitamin A. Topically applied Vitamin A helps reduce skin wrinkles and reverse other signs of skin aging. It also helps control acne and skin conditions like psoriasis.

Vitamin B - Hair, Skin and Nails

You need B vitamins for glowing, healthy and youthful skin such as Vitamin B7 and Vitamin B3.

Vitamin B7 or biotin prevents dermatitis. It is also necessary for the production of the cells that make up your hair, skin and nails.

Vitamin B7 works mainly from the inside. To prevent hair loss, excessive skin itching and scaly red skin rashes, make sure you get enough Vitamin B7. Egg yolk, legumes, cauliflower, and whole grains are good sources of Vitamin B7.

Vitamin B3, also known as nicotinic acid or niacin, keeps the skin hydrated and fights inflammation. Evidence also suggests that Vitamin B3 has anti-aging benefits.

Vitamin B3 works from the inside and outside. Make sure you get enough of this B vitamin in your diet. Beef liver and kidney, peanuts and tuna are good sources of Vitamin B3. You should also look for skin care products that contain Vitamin B3. Topically applied Vitamin B3-enriched creams improve the complexion.

Vitamin C - Skin Care Necessity

Vitamin C skin care is very important in any skin care regimen.

First of all, Vitamin C is an antioxidant. It neutralizes the free radicals in the body. These free radicals cause unwanted oxidation (i.e. oxidative stress) that lead to cell damage. Skin cell damage is one of the primary reasons for skin aging.

Vitamin C is also an important component in collagen production. Collagen, in turn, keeps skin tissue strong and elastic. Collagen, among other skin proteins, keeps the skin looking firm and supple. Skin wrinkles can be a result of collagen (and thus Vitamin C) deficiency.

For skin care purposes, make sure you get enough Vitamin C in your diet. Great sources of Vitamin C include red and green pepper, broccoli, orange juice, grapefruit, and kiwi fruit.

Vitamin C is also found in skin creams. Studies show that topically applied Vitamin C has anti-aging properties. To be an effective anti-aging agent, though, Vitamin C has to be effectively absorbed by the skin. Unfortunately, Vitamin C is very easily oxidized. Some topical creams, therefore, may have Vitamin C but still have little effect against skin aging.

To maximize the anti-aging benefits of Vitamin C, get a Vitamin C skin care cream that is clinically proven to be effective. Check the product label to ensure that your Vitamin C cream has sufficient amounts of Vitamin C. It should also be formulated in such a way that its Vitamin C content is stable and can be readily absorbed by the skin.

Vitamin E - Skin Moisture and Photo-Aging

Vitamin E is an antioxidant like Vitamin C. It neutralizes free radicals that cause skin wrinkles and other signs of skin aging. Vitamin E also improves skin texture and is believed to prevent photo-aging and sunburn. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and enhances the immune system.

To ensure you’re getting enough Vitamin E, eat nuts and seeds. Wheat germ and sunflower oil are great sources of Vitamin E. Roasted almonds, sunflower seeds and hazelnuts are also rich in Vitamin E. As long as you’re getting sufficient Vitamin E in your diet, you should see some skin care benefits.

To get the greatest skin care benefits from Vitamin E, supplement your skin care regime with products that contain this skin vitamin. Topically applied Vitamin E creams are most often used as skin moisturizers.

Vitamin K - Dark Circles under the Eyes

Unlike the other vitamins, Vitamin K does not do much for the skin from the inside. Vitamin K is mainly used by the body in its blood coagulation functions. Topically applied, however, Vitamin K has skin care benefits. Studies show that Vitamin K is effective against bruises. It is also effective in reducing the intensity of under-eye dark circles.

If your skin is prone to bruising (the older we are, the more prone to bruising we get), look for a skin lotion that has Vitamin K. Look for Vitamin K, too, in eye creams formulated to minimize dark circles under the eyes.

Conclusion On Skin Vitamins

Vitamins A, B (B3 and B7), C, E, and K are some of the most important skin vitamins. Most of these skin vitamins work both from the inside and outside.

Proper skin care requires that you get sufficient doses of these vitamins for the skin in your diet. You should also choose skin care products that are formulated with these skin vitamins.

The previous article is on Sports Nutrition Supplements.

Other wiki resources:  herbal supplements; amino acid; raw food supplements; prenatal vitamins