How Supplements Affect the Skin
Can taking supplements affect your skin for the better? While adding supplements into your life won’t prevent cancer or cause wrinkles to vanish on their own, certain supplements can definitely help give skin a healthy boost of nourishment. Read on to find out which supplements can help reduce eye wrinkles, prevent eczema, and more.
How Different Supplements Affect Your Skin
Collagen
Collagen — found in bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, organs, and blood vessels — is also produced in the skin. However, with age, our bodies slow down their production of collagen. Since this “building block” protein is largely what gives skin its firmness and elasticity, taking a collagen supplement is one way to prevent and reduce wrinkles and sagging. Collagen often comes in the form of a powder, which can be easily added to beverages or smoothies. Bonus: it’s great for athletes and aging folks alike, as it gives bones and muscles a boost!
Healthy Fats
While the word “fat” was once considered the enemy of health and wellness, society has evolved enough to understand that we need healthy fats to function. In fact, there are now high-fat diets recommended by nutritionists! Healthy fats are necessary for optimal brain functioning, prevention of muscle breakdown, regular digestion, and lubrication of joints. They also give skin a glowing, youthful look.
As far as supplements to help aid your healthy fat intake, focus on fish oil, which includes omega-3 fatty acids, as well as gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Both of these types of supplements can help prevent eczema (also known as dermatitis) by providing the necessary hydration to the skin cells.
Vitamins A, C, and E
Each of these vitamins provide different benefits to the body, but all of them can help prevent sun damage — which means an extra preventative step against skin cancer too.
Vitamin A helps heal the skin and reduce inflammation and redness. Vitamin C helps retain the collagen your body produces (keeping skin looking younger) and helps protect skin against free radicals in the environment. Vitamin E gives skin cell walls some extra reinforcement, protecting against sun damage and reducing inflammation, as well.
Selenium
This supplement is rarely referenced, but it’s been shown to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer when present at healthy levels in the body. This mineral aids Vitamin E in strengthening the cell walls and helps protect against sun damage. It’s also vital in preventing skin infections since it helps white blood cells to function properly.
Additional Recommendations
Before taking any vitamins and supplements, it’s essential to speak with your doctor or dermatologist to see what will work for you. Remember that supplements should never replace a healthy, well-rounded diet. For optimal wellness, eat a variety of foods to get the nutrients you need and ensure you’re getting all three types of macronutrients (protein, fats, and carbohydrates) daily. Drink plenty of water, which is a key component of healthy skin. And always wear protective clothing and sunscreen with a minimum of 30-50 SPF when exposed to UV rays.
Contact The Dermatology Group
If you’re in the Cincinnati, Ohio area and want some recommendations on types of supplements to take, contact The Dermatology Group today for an appointment.