Nothing is more frustrating than trying several vitamin products that are supposed to have anti-aging effects, but really did not work. These products may not be cheap and having several failed attempts might be ‘breaking your bank.’ With so many skin care products available and all claiming to give your healthy skin, it can be challenging to determine which vitamins are best. So what are you to do now? Have no fear because we present the best vitamins for glowing, youthful skin without going over budget!
Do oral vitamins help your skin?1-4
Oral vitamins do help your skin, but not as well as topical creams and ointments. When vitamins are taken orally, their benefits are sent all over your body, not just to your skin. Therefore, their ability to help decrease your fine lines, wrinkles, and pores; and combat dry skin is minimal.
You may think going over your daily intake of vitamins will boost your skin, but it actually does the opposite. Any excess water-soluble vitamins like vitamins B and C will not hang around since your body already has what it needs, so the excess is excreted. Excess fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins D, E, K, and A are more dangerous since they stay in your body’s fat areas longer and can cause stomach problems, appetite loss, clotting, or irregular heartbeat.
What are the key vitamins for glowing, youthful skin?
You may already know vitamins are key to overall health of your body and functional processes, but do not forget about your largest organ, your skin! Whether you want to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, have more moisturized skin, or clear up redness, the best vitamins to meet your needs include vitamins E, C, A, D, B, and K.
Vitamin E1
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect your skin from the sun’s rays that can lead to skin cancer and wrinkles, and it hydrates your skin. Your body makes vitamin E from sebum, an oily substance in your pores. So if you have dry skin, you may not be getting enough vitamin E. Adding a topical cream of vitamin E can help your skin obtain more moisture, so your skin is less cracked, rough, and dry. It even helps with healing skin burns, wounds, and scars! A great source of vitamin E includes nuts and seeds which can be incorporated into your diet during your snack breaks or with a cup of yogurt.
Vitamin C1,5
Vitamin C is another antioxidant that helps collagen production, smoothes skin hyperpigmentation, and reduces environmental stress. Collagen is a protein that is responsible for skin stretchiness, so it has a major role in decreasing the signs of aging, like wrinkles and fine lines. It is largely found in foods like citrus-based foods, supplements, and topical creams. As a topical cream, it can be applied to reduce hyperpigmentation and help your sunscreen protect you from the sun’s harmful rays. These harmful rays damage your skin which can show signs of premature or accelerated aging.
Vitamin A1,5
Another name for vitamin A is retinol. Like vitamins E and C, vitamin A is an antioxidant that protects you from sun damage, protects collagen, and speeds up cell turnover. This helps your skin make new blood vessels, and smooths and evens skin tone. Without vitamin A, your skin may look bumpy and dry. It even fights acne and clears up those pesky scars which may be a big problem for your teenagers. This product can be obtained over-the-counter or with a prescription. If you are looking for a product that helps with wrinkles called tretinoin, it is obtained with a prescription.
However, these products are very powerful, so be careful when you first use them. You may notice redness and dryness at first because vitamin A increases your skin cell production at such a high rate. If you have any of these side effects, try using the product every other day. Try to use a lower concentration and apply at night to minimize irritation. If you use this product in the morning, it may make your skin more sensitive to the sun’s rays which is damaging to your skin.
Vitamin D1,5
You may be familiar with vitamin D’s ability to help strengthen your bones, but did you know it helps with evening your skin tone and treating psoriasis? Vitamin D is made by your body when you are exposed to sunlight, but you should not spend a lengthy amount of time outside without sunscreen – all you need is 10 minutes of sun exposure between 10 am – 2 pm. This vitamin product stands out from the others since it is not typically found in over-the-counter topical products. To increase your vitamin D production, try eating more foods like low-fat dairy, salmon, and tuna. If you have psoriasis, talk with your dermatologist about getting a prescription for a product with vitamin D in it.
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B is not a single vitamin, but several of them that include, thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), B6, biotin (B7), folate (B9), and B12. For skin care, vitamin B3 or niacin is commonly used to smooth skin, decrease dryness, and help treat eczema. Niacin works by increasing the number of lipids in your skin which helps your skin maintain its moisture and texture. It even has an added bonus of helping dark spots and wrinkles. It is found in many topical products too!
Another common vitamin B is B5 or pantothenic acid. The role of vitamin B5 is to keep your skin moisturized and hydrated while reducing skin inflammation. This is another reason why it is used to decrease skin redness.
Vitamin K1,5
Do you have stretch marks, spider veins, dark spots, or scars? Vitamin K will be your best friend! Vitamin K has an important role in your body’s clotting process which is vital for when you have injuries and healing wounds. This may be why it can help clear your dark under-eye circles too. Topically, it is commonly used after surgeries to reduce swelling and heal wounds, but products can also be picked up over-the-counter for your skin care needs. It is even found in leafy greens like kale, spinach, and green beans.
So you may think these products may not be friendly to your budget, but they are over-the-counter and affordable at your local Josefs Pharmacy! A pharmacist would be glad to assist you with selecting the right products and counseling on proper usage.
How do I know what vitamins I may be lacking?1,2
Vitamins are needed for proper skin care, but you may be getting enough from your diet. The best way to determine if you are getting your adequate vitamin intake is by taking a blood test. Talk to your doctor about performing this test if you think you may have vitamin insufficiencies. Some of the lotions or creams you already use may have these key vitamins too!
How do I select the best skin care products for me?1,2
When you are looking at skin products on your next trip at your local drugstore or Josefs Pharmacy, always review the product ingredients, pricing, and any potential interactions they may have with your current medications. Many companies claim to provide products that will help your skin needs, but that is not enough. If you are interested in getting the proper vitamins and products for your skin care needs, talk with your dermatologist or pharmacist today.
References:
- The science of beauty: The complete guide to vitamins for skin health. Allure website. https://www.allure.com/story/best-vitamins-for-skin. Accessed December 15, 2021.
- The 4 best vitamins for your skin. Healthline website. https://www.healthline.com/health/4-best-vitamins-for-skin. Accessed December 15, 2021.
- Can you overdose on vitamins? Healthline website. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/can-you-overdose-on-vitamins. Accessed December 15, 2021.
- Sticker. My Loview website. https://myloview.com/sticker-50s-mid-aged-woman-touching-face-skin-looking-at-camera-attractive-no-E976799. Accessed December 15, 2021.
- Which vitamins are best for healthy skin? Apothecopharmacy website. https://www.apothecopharmacy.com/blog/which-vitamins-are-best-for-healthy-skin/. Accessed December 15, 2021.