Mojatu Magazine Nottingham M037

Page 20

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20 Health & Food

8 BEST VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS FOR DRY SKIN by Jillian Kubal

Dry skin can be caused by a number of factors, including dehydration, aging, seasonal changes, allergies, and micronutrient deficiencies. Depending on the cause of your dry skin, different treatment methods, including medicated ointments and moisturizers, may be used to increase skin hydration. Additionally, lifestyle modifications, such as drinking more water and taking certain supplements, may improve skin dryness. Here are 8 vitamins and supplements for dry skin. 1.Vitamin D - Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that’s critical for many aspects of health, including the health of your skin. Vitamin D plays an integral role in skin barrier function and skin cell growth, as well as maintaining the skin immune system, which acts as a first line of defense against harmful pathogens. A large percentage of the population is deficient in vitamin D, and given that the nutrient is essential for skin hydration, supplementing with it may help combat dry skin. 2. Collagen - Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body and accounts for 75% of your skin’s dry weight. Some research has shown that taking collagen-based supplements may have a range of benefits for your skin, including decreasing wrinkle depth and increasing skin hydration. 3. Vitamin C - Vitamin C acts as a powerful, skinprotective antioxidant and is essential for collagen production, making it an important nutrient for skin health. Unsurprisingly, studies have shown that increasing dietary vitamin C through vitamin C supplements may improve many factors of skin health, including skin hydration. Plus, some studies have shown that when used in combination with other nutrients, vitamin C may help enhance skin moisture. 4. Fish Oil - Fish oil is well known for its skin-healthpromoting properties. Dietary supplements with fish oil may help boost skin hydration and improve the fatty acid barrier of the skin, which helps maintain hydration. Fish oil has also been shown to decrease skin inflammation and protect against sun damage, making it an all around skin-friendly supplement. 5-8. Other supplements for treating dry skin - In addition to the nutrients listed above, studies have shown that supplementing with several other compounds may be an effective way to improve skin moisture.

Probiotics: A study found that supplementing both mice and humans with Lactobacillus plantarum bacteria improved skin barrier function and skin hydration after 8 weeks. However, more research is needed.

Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid is often used topically to improve skin hydration, but recent research shows that ingesting this compound in combination with other nutrients may significantly increase skin hydration.

Aloe vera: A study in 64 women found that supplementing with fatty acids derived from aloe vera for 12 weeks significantly improved skin moisture and skin elasticity, compared with a placebo.

Ceramides: Ceramides are fat molecules that are important components of healthy skin. Some research has shown that supplementing with ceramides may increase skin hydration, which may help treat dry skin.

Although taking certain supplements may help improve dry skin, several other factors can contribute to skin dryness and should be considered. For example, dehydration is a common cause of dry skin, so upping your water intake can be a healthy and easy way to improve skin hydration. Following an unhealthy diet, having micronutrient deficiencies, and not eating enough may also cause or worsen dry skin. Additionally, certain diseases, including kidney disease, anorexia, psoriasis, and hypothyroidism, as well as environmental allergies can cause dry skin. Therefore, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing significantly dry, irritated skin to rule out more serious health conditions. Dry skin is a common condition that can be caused by a number of factors, such as dehydration, allergic reactions, and diseases like hypothyroidism. Research has shown that taking certain vitamins and other nutritional supplements, including vitamin D, fish oil, collagen, and vitamin C, may help improve skin hydration and help keep your skin healthy and nourished. However, although the supplements on this list may act as helpful tools for people who have dry skin, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing unexplained, chronic dry skin, as this can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.


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