Our skin is our body’s largest organ but is often neglected, nutritionally speaking. The nutrients we ingest through food or supplementation go to our vital organs and our skin is last in line to be fed. Consequently, when nutrients are in short supply, our skin goes hungry and weakens. Here are 5 essential vitamins to healthy skin and the foods that are rich in them.
Vitamin E for Healthy Skin
Pollutants and toxins damage essential fats and vitamins in our bodies and the powerful antioxidant nature of vitamin E helps to protect them. Vitamin E also helps repair tissues, reduce scars, and assists our bodies in properly utilizing vitamin A. Sunflower seeds, vegetable oils, almonds, and peanut butter are vitamin E rich foods.
Vitamin D for Healthy Skin
Vitamin D helps our bodies control inflammation and develop new skin cells. Deficiency in this vitamin can often be noted in acne flare-ups, rosacea, psoriasis, dermatitis and even hair loss. Fatty fish, fortified milk, and fish liver oil are good sources of vitamin D. If you are regularly exposed to summer sun without protection, you will not need the same amount of vitamin D daily as those who are not exposed.
Vitamin C for Healthy Skin
Collagen supports the structure of the skin and vitamin c is used in its formation. As a powerful antioxidant, it protects against the effects of sun, stress, and pollution with shortages of this vitamin contributing to skin aging, hair loss, and ridges in nails. Vitamin C rich foods include oranges, strawberries, kiwis, red and green peppers, and broccoli. Vitamin C is readily expelled from our bodies so if deficiency is a concern, keep that in mind.
B Complex for Healthy Skin
Fish, poultry, meats, dark leafy greens, fortified cereals, and whole grains, are rich sources of B vitamins. B complex is important to skin health as it improves the texture of skin, helps to heal injuries, and controls inflammation. A diet rich in B complex is necessary for overall metabolism, as well as healthy skin, hair, and nails.
Vitamin A for Healthy Skin
Skin that is rough like sandpaper is a sure sign of a deficiency in vitamin A which helps to keep skin moist and smooth. Sweet potatoes, kale, spinach, and carrots are good food sources for vitamin A and can help combat acne, dry skin or hair, dandruff, and rough patches on elbows.
Take a look at our vitamin section for great products we trust and recommend to keep your skin happy and healthy! Get Hanna’s remedies for acne and learn more about how Turmeric can partner with these vitamins for younger looking skin!
Home Remedies for Healthy Skin // Aug 15, 2012 at 7:03 pm
[…] Vitamins for Healthy Skin […]
Eryn Cook // Sep 11, 2012 at 9:33 pm
I saw you at a trade show a couple of years ago (I believe it was the Natural Products Expo West) and would like to set up a wholesale account. I own both a retail Natural Products store (Bamboo Garden) as well as a Health Counseling Pracatice and Skin Care Center (Epic Health & Esthetics). I am a licensed RN as well as an Esthetician. You can reach me at the above email address or by cell at 951.682.5233.
I look forward to speaking with you!
Eryn
Herman // Sep 6, 2014 at 10:21 pm
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