Are Vitamins Good For Skin Care? Do They Really Work?

You already know you need vitamins for your overall health, but are vitamins good for skin as well? There’s a lot of evidence that the answer to that question is a resounding, “Yes.”

No matter what your skin tone may be, getting vitamins through diet, serums, or supplementation may help your skin cells stay their healthiest.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins And Water-Soluble Vitamins:

Know The Difference And Get Both Daily

Vitamins, along with other vital nutrients such as amino acids, are critical to several different body functions. They help ensure that your tissues grow properly, and then help them work the way they should as you grow older.

Vitamins are either fat-soluble or water-soluble.

• If a vitamin can be stored in the fatty tissues and liver, it’s considered fat-soluble. Vitamins A, D, E, and K fall into this category.
• Water-soluble vitamins dissolve quickly and are excreted by the urine. Vitamin B and vitamin C are water-soluble.¹

Your doctor can give you specific vitamin intake guidelines. These guidelines will help you avoid a vitamin deficiency, while at the same time making sure you don’t get too many vitamins.

What Vitamins Are Best For Your Skin Care Routine?

If you take supplements or eat a very well balanced diet, you’re likely supporting your overall health. What you might not know is that you’re also supporting the health of your skin.

Here are some skin-essentials to look for when choosing a supplement.

• Biotin – This form of vitamin B is often one of the main ingredients in beauty and skin care supplements. Biotin is especially effective in supporting stronger hair, skin and nails.²
• Folic Acid – Folic acid is another type of vitamin B that may help skin health. Research shows that folic acid supports the production of collagen, a protein critical to the elasticity of skin.³ Many anti-aging skin care products contain folic acid and other important nutrients.
• Pantothenic acid – This is yet another form of vitamin B. Pantothenic acid has been shown to help with certain skin problems.⁴

Other Vitamins That Are Beneficial To Skin

Here are just a few of the other vitamins that are not only good for your health, but good for your skin as well. Whether you get them through food, skin care products or supplementation, they can deliver some major benefits

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is effective in supporting healthy skin complexion. Several studies have shown that a form of vitamin A known as retinol can help support skin cell turnover.⁵

Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of vitamin A, as are fortified cereals and other fortified foods. You can also get vitamin A through specially-formulated skin care products and supplements.⁶

Niacin

Also known as niacinamide, this form of Vitamin B works to prevent water loss and retain skin’s moisture content. It is also known to support healthy levels of keratin in the skin.⁷

When You Can’t Reduce Skin Problems On Your Own: Seek Medical Help

Whether you have an aesthetic issue like under-eye circles, or you suspect you might have a more serious skin condition, there are times you will need to see a dermatologist or a doctor.

A primary care physician can address mild skin issues such as insect bites and minor rashes. But if you have an issue such as a severe rash that covers a large portion of your body, or it’s accompanied by joint or muscle pain, see a dermatologist.⁸

Learn More:
The Importance of Sunscreen Even After Summer’s End
Help! How Do I Get Rid of Dry Flaky Skin on Face?
Moisturizer vs Lotion: Hydration Know-How

Sources
1 https://www.medicinenet.com/fat-_and_water-soluble_vitamins/ask.htm
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2726758/
3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21332911
4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4065280/
5 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921764/
6 https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002400.htm
7 https://www.vaseline.com/us/en/articles/products-and-ingredients/what-is-vitamin-b-3.html
8 https://health.clevelandclinic.org/got-skin-problems-can-tell-specialist-best/