The 10 Best Supplements & Vitamins for Skin Health

Rachael Link, MS, RD via Dr. Axe – Following a well-balanced diet rich in nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and protein foods can provide all of the vitamins for skin and hair that your body needs and can be even more effective than even the best supplements.

When building a natural skin care routine, most of us tend to focus on moisturizers, creams, serums and toners. While these are definitely important, the true secret to skin health goes beyond the surface. In fact, getting in a good variety of vitamins for skin—either through the diet or through supplementation—is just as crucial as what you’re stocking up on in your cosmetics cabinet.

So what vitamins are good for skin, and what vitamins are good for dry skin or other specific skin concerns, like acne, aging or redness? Here’s what you need to know.

Role of Vitamins in Skin Health

Vitamins are absolutely crucial to maintaining overall health and wellness, and in recent years, more and more research has demonstrated that vitamins play an integral role in the health of your skin. Other compounds have also been shown to have skin-boosting properties as well and have been linked to everything from improvements in skin elasticity to reductions in cellulite and stretch marks.

So what are vitamins? Vitamins are a group of organic compounds that are necessary for growth and development as well as several other aspects of health, including skin health. Certain vitamins are involved in cellular regeneration, collagen production, protection against sun spots and other factors that are essential to maintaining healthy skin.

When paired with a nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle, taking certain vitamin supplements can bring your skin care routine to the next level to help keep your skin healthy and glowing. Read on to learn about the best supplements and vitamins for skin.

Best 10 Supplements and Vitamins for Skin + Their Benefits

1. Collagen
2. Vitamin D
3. Fish Oil
4. Bone Broth
5. Biotin
6. Vitamin A
7. Multivitamin
8. Vitamin C
9. Curcumin
10. Vitamin E

1. Collagen
As the most abundant protein in the body, collagen plays a central role in skin health. But as we get older, collagen stores start to decline, resulting in symptoms like wrinkles and sagging skin.

Collagen is one of the best supplements for skin anti-aging, helping keep skin supple and smooth. In fact, one study out of Germany even found that supplementing with collagen peptides helped increase skin elasticity and hydration over just eight weeks. (1) Another study published in the Journal of Medical Nutrition & Nutraceuticals reported that collagen was also able to reduce the depth of facial wrinkles in post-menopausal women. (2)

2. Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays an integral role in many aspects of health, and skin health is no exception. Emerging research shows that vitamin D may even provide benefits in the treatment of certain skin conditions, such as psoriasis, thanks to its involvement in the growth and maturation of skin cells. (3)

Unfortunately, the majority of us are lacking in this key vitamin, with some studies reporting that an estimated 41 percent of the U.S. population has a vitamin D deficiency. (4) As one of the top vitamins for glowing skin, immune function, bone health and more, this is why it’s especially important to consider supplementation if you’re not getting regular sun exposure or filling up on vitamin D foods like salmon, cod liver oil or tuna.

3. Fish Oil
Fish oil is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are a type of heart-healthy fat with powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Fish oil tops the charts as one of the best supplements for glowing skin because of its omega-3 content, which can help soothe inflammation and protect the skin against damage.

According to one review published by the Dermatology Sciences department at the University of Manchester, omega-3 fatty acids could help protect the skin from ultraviolet damage, helping maintain healthy skin and potentially protecting against skin cancer. (5) Another study out of California showed that taking fish oil was associated with improvements in inflammatory acne severity, suggesting that fish oil could be a beneficial supplement for skin acne and breakouts. (6)

4. Bone Broth
Without question, bone broth is one of the best supplements for skin elasticity. Produced by simmering the bones, marrow, tendons and ligaments over a period of several days, bone broth is rich in trace minerals as well as health-promoting compounds like proline, glycine and glutamine.

Plus, it’s also high in collagen, an important protein that’s been shown to improve skin elasticity and hydration while also fighting wrinkles. Not only that, but it’s also been linked to enhanced immunity, which may help reduce inflammation related to skin conditions like acne, rosacea, dermatitis or psoriasis. (7)

5. Biotin
Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin that is often marketed as one of the top hair, skin and nails vitamins available. Although rare, a deficiency in this important vitamin can result in hair loss and scaly, red rashes on the skin, which is why it’s well-deserving of its status as one of the most important vitamins for skin and hair health. (8)

Although research is still limited on the effectiveness of this vitamin in its use as one of the main supplements for radiant skin and healthy hair, it’s clear that a deficiency can be detrimental to your skin. Be sure to include plenty of biotin-rich foods in your diet, or opt for a multivitamin or supplement to help fill in the gaps.

6. Vitamin A
Vitamin A is one of the first lines of defense against skin issues like acne and aging. In fact, one study published in the journal Medical Archives showed that taking a low dose of vitamin A tablets was effective in reducing moderate acne over a period of three months. (9) A multitude of other studies have shown that retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, can be effective at fighting signs of aging when applied directly to the skin. (10, 11)

Keep in mind, though, that topical vitamin A cream in the form of retinoids is typically recommended over oral supplementation, as consuming high amounts of vitamin A can lead to toxicity and increase the risk of serious side effects like birth defects and bone loss. (12) Stick to vitamin A through food sources, or keep supplementation within the recommended daily allowance to avoid adverse side effects. And as always, be sure to consult with your dermatologist if you have any questions or concerns.

7. Multivitamin
Multivitamins can be a useful tool to help round out your diet and supply a range of important micronutrients, including vitamins for skin repair, vitamins for skin elasticity, vitamins for dry skin and more. Most multivitamins contain a good mix of vitamins, minerals and other health-promoting compounds that can help prevent nutritional deficiencies and ensure you’re meeting your needs.

So do multivitamins work? Although not everyone may need multivitamins, they can be beneficial for people with restrictive diets or those with increased nutritional needs. Vegans and vegetarians, those with decreased food intake, and people who have recently undergone weight loss surgery may benefit from taking a multivitamin to help increase their intake of key vitamins for healthy skin while also supporting overall health.

8. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is well-known for its antioxidant properties and its ability to fight free radicals to prevent cell damage and oxidative stress to the body. Not only that, but as one of the top skin vitamins, it can also help protect against sun damage and stimulate the synthesis of collagen to aid in wrinkle repair and keep skin smooth and supple. (13)

As always, getting your vitamin C through food sources like citrus fruits and veggies is always the best option, but you can also opt for vitamin C supplements or use a serum or cream containing vitamin C for face and body.

9. Curcumin
Curcumin is a potent chemical and plant pigment that is produced by certain plants, including turmeric. Curcumin supplies turmeric with its signature yellow hue and is also credited with the wide array of turmeric benefits that this medicinal plant has to offer.

In terms of skin health, the healing effects of curcumin have been well-documented. In addition to relieving inflammation, human studies and animal models also show that curcumin can help speed up wound healing, reduce psoriasis symptoms, and even treat other skin conditions like scabies and radiation-induced dermatitis. (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)

10. Vitamin E
Vitamin E boasts an extensive history as an important vitamin for skin and has been widely used in dermatology for over 50 years. As a staple ingredient in cosmetics and skin care products alike, research shows that vitamin E helps scavenge harmful free radicals to preserve skin health and also has photoprotective properties to keep the skin safe from sun damage. (19)

Plus, aside from promoting skin health, some studies suggest that vitamin E and vitamin E oil may be some of the most effective hair vitamins available as well. One study showed that supplementing with vitamin E increased the number of hairs in volunteers with hair loss by 34.5 percent over an eight-month period, cementing its status as one of the top vitamins for hair growth. (20)

Worst Supplements for Skin

Although there are a wide range of available supplements and vitamins for skin acne, not all are good options, and some can even be downright harmful for your skin.

Choosing a supplement that’s free of fillers and additives is essential, not only to make sure you’re getting the best possible quality, but also to avoid consuming unnecessary and dangerous added ingredients that could potentially come with a long list of side effects.

Additionally, more is not always better when it comes to supplements, and sticking to the recommended dosage is key if you’re looking to maximize your results. Biotin, for example, is one of the top vitamins for skin health, and a deficiency can cause symptoms like hair loss and scaly skin. However, taking too much of even the best biotin supplement can actually worsen acne and trigger skin problems.

Finally, certain types of vitamins are better applied topically or consumed through food sources rather than supplements. Vitamins A, C and E, for example, are some of the best antioxidant supplements for skin but are often recommended in the form of skin serums and creams rather than in capsules or pills. High doses of certain fat-soluble vitamins can also build up and potentially lead to toxicity if consumed in high amounts.

Signs of Vitamin Deficiencies in Skin

Changes in your hair, skin and nails often offer some of the first clues that you may be lacking a certain vitamin or mineral in your diet. While deficiency symptoms can vary widely based on which micronutrients you may be low in, some of the most common symptoms of a nutritional deficiency can include:

• Pale skin
• Hair loss
• Dry skin
• Acne
• Delayed wound healing
• Nail ridges
• Bruising
• Splitting or coarse hair
• Yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
• Dandruff

If you notice any of these deficiency symptoms, it may be time to look at your diet and determine what nutrients may be lacking. You can also opt for a multivitamin, which is an easy and convenient way to fit in the essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs to help round out your diet.

How to Get the Best Vitamins for Skin Into Your Diet

Following a well-balanced diet rich in nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and protein foods can provide all of the vitamins for skin and hair that your body needs and can be even more effective than even the best supplements.

Try squeezing in a serving or two of fruits and veggies into each meal or swapping out your favorite salty snacks for a few nutrient-packed superfoods instead. To cram in even more vitamins for clear skin into your diet, start your morning with a power-packed smoothie and fill it with your choice of greens and berries, plus a scoop of collagen or bone broth to bump up the benefits a bit.

If you’re having difficulty meeting your daily needs for certain vitamins or minerals or if you follow a restrictive diet that makes it hard to get what you need, supplementation can be another good option. However, it’s important to remember that supplements can be used to complement a healthy diet, but the majority of your micronutrient intake should still come from nutritious food sources.

What to Look for in Supplements for Skin and Dosage Recommendations

Unfortunately, not all supplements are created equal, and many are often pumped full of fillers, additives and preservatives, which are added by the supplement industry in favor of profit rather than health.

The best vitamin brands should be free of added fillers and extra ingredients, plus tailored to your specific needs based on your age and/or gender, as the requirements for vitamins for men and vitamins for women can differ. Other supplements should also be purchased from a reputable retailer and contain minimal added ingredients to ensure you’re getting the best possible quality.

It’s important to stick to the recommended dosage listed on the instructions of your supplement carefully. Certain supplements for skin can actually come with negative side effects if used in high amounts, so use as directed and be sure to consult with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

History/Facts

Believe it or not, scientists have only recently begun to understand the integral role that vitamins play in overall health, and the powerful influence that they have on skin health has just started to come to light within the last century.

The discovery of vitamins can be traced back to Polish biochemist Casimir Funk, who isolated a specific compound (later identified as niacin) that was found in brown rice and was able to prevent B vitamin deficiency symptoms. Coining the phrase “vitamines,” Funk proposed that there may be other vitamins that could help prevent other deficiency symptoms like rickets, scurvy and pellagra. This soon led to the discovery of other vitamins essential to skin health, including vitamin E in 1922 and vitamins A and C in 1912.

Researchers started wondering what vitamins are good for your skin and began conducting experiments to understand the complex role between nutrition and skin health. In 1943, the first study using retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, to treat acne was published, and just a decade later, it had become a widely used tool to help treat breakouts.

Studies have continued to emerge in recent years in an effort to understand exactly how certain vitamins, minerals and supplements can affect different aspects of skin health, including hydration, aging, acne and the treatment of specific skin conditions.

Precautions with Vitamins for Skin

To achieve maximum results, supplements should always be paired with a healthy, well-rounded diet filled with nutrient-dense foods. While supplements can help fill in the gaps and bring an extra dose of health benefits, they can’t make up for the wealth of nutrients and health-promoting compounds supplied by a balanced and healthy diet.

If you have any underlying health conditions, check with your doctor before starting supplementation, as some supplements may not be safe for certain health conditions and could also potentially interfere with medications.

Finally, be sure to start with a low dose and slowly work your way up to assess your tolerance, but never go above the recommended dosage listed on your supplement. If you experience any adverse side effects, consider decreasing your dosage and discuss with your doctor to address any concerns.

Final Thoughts on Vitamins for Skin

• Vitamins play an integral role in many aspects of skin health, and adding a supplement into your routine could help keep your skin glowing and smooth.

• So what vitamins are good for skin? Vitamins A, C, D and E along with biotin are some of the best vitamins for skin health. Other supplements like collagen, bone broth, fish oil and curcumin can also be beneficial.

• Look for supplements from reputable brands with minimal added ingredients to ensure you’re getting the best quality.

• Additionally, be sure to pair supplements with a healthy diet and lifestyle to optimize the health of both your skin and your body, particularly since it’s always recommended to get these vitamins for skin health and other vitamins and minerals from food sources if you can.

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