Today, quality skincare is more important than ever. There is a slew of vitamins and supplements for skin claiming to offer everything between heaven and earth.

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We’ve managed to trudge through the sludge and focus on some of the key vitamins and supplements for skin that genuinely promote healthy skin. Oddly enough, a lot of them are already in your body.

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Vitamin D

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Vitamin D is one of the popular vitamins and supplements for skin. Approximately 35% of adults in the U.S. have a vitamin D deficiency, according to Cleveland Clinic. Several medications are known to lower a user’s vitamin D levels, including:

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• Laxatives
• Steroids
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs

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Vitamin D deficiency is mainly developed from a lack of sunlight, so getting a decent amount of sun exposure every day will certainly help — just be careful of UV exposure.

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Vitamin D supplements come in two forms: D2 and D3, with the former coming from plants and the latter from animals. D3 is over-the-counter and is more easily absorbed by the body, whereas D2 requires a prescription.  

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Some foods have a healthy helping of vitamin D, including:

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• Cow, almond, soy, and almond milk
• Orange juice
• Yogurt
• Breakfast cereals (preferably the less sugary ones)

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As always, be sure to talk with your pharmacists as to what kind and dose of vitamin D are best for you. For general use, you can follow the recommended doses on the bottle.

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Vitamin C

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Vitamin C is a key ingredient found in many skincare products, particularly for anti-aging. Its primary role is to decrease cell damage and heal body wounds, which contributes leads to the decrease of wrinkles.

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Vitamin C is found in many foods, including oranges and orange juice, strawberries, spinach, red peppers, kale, broccoli, and tomatoes.

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Because it’s so widely available, it’s rare to develop a vitamin C deficiency. Supplements are readily available at your local independent pharmacy, and you can’t really go wrong with following the doses on the label.

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Vitamin E

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Vitamin E is known to help protect from the sun’s harmful rays, preventing wrinkles and dark spots in the process.

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In fact, a study published by the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology included a photo of a 92-year-old woman who used UV-protective moisturizer on her face for more than 40 years.

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While the woman used moisturizer on her face, she didn’t apply it to her neck. The results are comparatively stark. Apart from the aesthetic difference, the photo showcases the long-term impact of solar damage, which is often associated with skin cancer.

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Though vitamin E wasn’t explicitly mentioned in the study, it’s worth noting that the vitamin is present in many antiaging skin care products. If anything else, it’s a reminder to avoid harmful UV rays without any means of protection.

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Apart from creams and other moisturizers, you can get some vitamin E through almonds, hazelnuts, and sunflower seeds.

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Vitamin K

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The benefits of vitamin K are a bit more than meets the eye. Vitamin K aids the body in blood clotting, which in turn heals bruises and wounds. It also helps treat skin conditions such as:

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• Stretch marks
• Spider veins
• Scars
• Dark spots
• Bags under your eyes

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Like vitamin E, vitamin K can be found in many skin creams and vitamin supplements for skin. It’s also found in several greens like kale, spinach, lettuce, and green beans.

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Collagen

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And now, collagen. What makes collagen stand out from the rest of the pack is that its the most abundant protein in the human body.

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It creates connective tissue and is a major part of bone, skin, muscles, tendons, and cartilage, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.

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Collagen strengthens skin tissue, making it able to withstand stretching. It’s also more than just one of the more popular vitamin supplements for skin. It’s known to improve skin, hair, and nails.

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It’s widely available in pill form, as are all of these vitamins. Food-wise, a wide selection of meats contain collagen, namely pot roast, chuck steak, and brisket.

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The downside to eating too much red meat is well known, so don’t solely rely on it for your skincare routine.

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When in doubt, you can just take a collagen supplement.

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How to Take Vitamins and Supplements for Skin the Right Way

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Vitamins shouldn’t be the sole contributor to your health. You can only achieve proper health if all facets of your life correctly complement each other. In the case of vitamin supplements for skin, you will benefit from eating a healthy diet.

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Fruits and vegetables will always be your best friend and will work in tandem with vitamin supplements for the skin to maximize their health benefits.

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Just like food fads or trends, there isn’t one miracle cure-all that will magically fix all your ailments.

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Moderation and discipline are the keys to living a truly healthy life. Beyond the stellar health benefits, it never hurts to live a healthy lifestyle for the sake of it. The benefits will speak for themselves.

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Conclusion

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They say beauty requires a budget, but it shouldn’t break the bank. These vitamins and supplements for skin will go a long way in promoting healthy skin, but you should always strive to have a healthy lifestyle.

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Make sure to get some sunlight, go for a run, and check your sleeping habits — all things that have a helping hand in making you look and feel brighter.

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Now that you know the ins and outs of vitamins and supplements for skin, let your sunny disposition shine through.

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