Vitamins can contribute to healthy skin

Skin care products are not the only way to get healthy skin as whatever you eat also reflects itself on your skin. So if your diet comprises only of processed food, it will only lead to dull, discolored and oily skin. However if you nourish your body with whole foods with the required vitamins, your skin has a much better appearance.

So here is a list of basic vitamins you need for optimum skin health.

• Vitamin A is required for maintaining and repairing vital skin tissue. If your diet does not include vitamin A, you may end up with dry and flaky complexion. Foods like sweet potatoes, carrots, liver, chili peppers, dandelions and dark leafy vegetables give you your daily recommended allowances of vitamin A. even lotions containing vitamin A help control acne and reduce wrinkles and lines.

• Foods like oatmeal, bananas, rice and eggs contain vitamin B complex with biotin, which is important for healthy nails, hair cells and skin. Insufficient vitamin B complex can lead to hair loss or dermatitis. Topical creams and ointments with vitamin B hydrate you cells to give healthy and glowing skin.

• Vitamin C helps fight colds and produces collagen when used on the skin as it effectively reduces free radical damage like excessive exposure to the sun or pollution.

It is these free radicals which consume collagen and elastin which is essential for your skin, to lead to wrinkles and other premature aging signs. It also helps reduce wrinkles, reduce photo damage and improve skin texture. It exists in citrus fruits, acerola, bell peppers, guava, kale, turnips, leafy greens and cauliflower.

• Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant which helps reduce the appearance of scars and rough and dry skin. So add more of vitamin E rich foods like nuts, wheat germ oil, prunes, tomatoes, cabbage, peaches, almonds, sunflower seeds, spinach and olive to your diet to make your skin look supple, stay soft and also help improve your hair’s luster and strength. Rub vitamin E oil on stubborn scars to reduce its appearance.

• Vitamin K is best for treating dark circles and bruises. So look for lotions and creams containing this vitamin which helps reduce skin discolorations and helps reduce wrinkles. While a diet of dark and leafy greens will help improve your vitamin K needs, you get the best effects if it is used topically on your skin.