Which Vitamins Are Important for Your Skin?

As the days begin to get colder and more and more bugs start flying around, it isn’t just your health that you need to take care of in the autumn and winter months. Along with harsh winds, and icy temperatures, many everyday factors can have a negative effect on your skin, so it’s a good idea to incorporate skin-loving nutrients into your diet at this time of year.

Vitamins and Skin Health

Vitamin E is not only important in maintaining a healthy immune system, but it is also a key component in ensuring a glowing complexion. As well as helping to make your skin look and feel smoother, Vitamin E is a powerful, fat-soluble antioxidant that helps to protect your skin from damage caused by prolonged sun-exposure, pollution and other harmful factors.

It is no secret that Vitamin C may help to boost your immune system and ward off those nasty autumn and winter colds, but research also suggests that it can be used to combat the effects of excessive sun-exposure. Vitamin C may achieve this by supporting the production of collagen in your skin. Collagen gives the skin its strength and flexibility. Vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant, protecting the skin against UV-induced free-radical damage, which has been associated with skin wrinkling.

Dry and flaky complexions are common in winter and may be caused by low levels of Vitamin A in your diet. Vitamin A deficiencies are associated with over-exposure to the sun. Conversely, vitamin A itself plays an important role in the normal function and development of your skin. With research demonstrating that topical Vitamin A (retinoids) can be effective for treating fine lines and wrinkles, a number of topical retinoids are now available on the market.

Vitamin B2 helps promote healthy skin. A deficiency in Vitamin B2 may result in oily skin and eczema of the face, so it is important that you get the recommended daily intake of vitamins to ensure a healthy complexion.

Finally, Vitamin B3 is especially important for healthy skin as it has been known to have some anti-inflammatory properties and works as an antioxidant. Vitamin B3 can help to improve skin rashes and combat dry, flaky and irritated skin. It also has potential for the treatment of acne and rosacea.