When trying to be healthier, one of the first moves should be to cut out overly processed food that doesn’t offer nutritional value and replace it with vitamin-rich veggies, fruits, and other goodies. In addition to making a big impact on your gut, the type of nutrients you digest also plays a factor in your outer appearance.
When you lack certain supplements and vitamins, your body and face will show it, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Papri Sarkar.
“Vitamins are organic compounds that are necessary for normal growth and nutrition that our bodies can’t make themselves. If you don’t ingest or absorb them accordingly, you’ll be deficient and might be faced with unpleasant symptoms like brittle nails and even hair loss.”
With the recent boom of beauty supplements, researchers have touted the benefits as alleviating inflammation, fighting stubborn acne breakouts, and even minimizing those wrinkles and fine lines.
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However, popping a pill and expecting instant results isn’t the right mindset to adopt. After all, as with regular vitamins that target various internal rhythms within our bodies, supplements are meant to nourish our skin from the inside out. With a bit of research and solid advice from trusted dermatologists, here’s DermStore.com’s essential guide to the right vitamin set you should be taking this summer:
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Acne: Vitamin A, Zinc and Probiotics
If you’re a lifelong acne sufferer, you know how frustrating it is to wake up to an oversized zit. Dr. Sarkar says vitamin A should be your new go-to supplement since it has been known to get rid of acne. She suggests starting with your diet by adding in vitamin A-rich foods, including butter, red meat, and eggs.
If your acne is on the severe side, Dr. Sarkar says that zinc can be another powerful player in clearing out your pores. “Zinc is an important part of wound healing and often acne lesions are inflamed and have openings in the skin barrier, so it’s possible that an anti-inflammatory or wound-healing effect is responsible for the benefit,” she explains.
Proceed with caution, since too much zinc and vitamin A can cause nausea, vomiting, and headaches, so start with small doses.
Another option? Probiotics. Esthetician, makeup artist and global educator for Jane Iredale, Hannah Hatcher, explains that when the bacteria within our tummy is imbalanced it allows bacteria to thrive. This causes inflammation and sprouting acne. Probiotics help with this, especially those formulated for those who eat dairy and those who don’t. Taking one a day could help everything run smoothly—including your pores.
Dryness: Vitamin D and Omega Fatty Acids
While the condition of your skin and its softness will vary by season, cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Sejal Shah says that if dryness persists, you need to up your vitamin D intake.
Along with promoting healthy bone growth, “this vitamin can [also] improve hydration since lower vitamin D levels have been associated with
