Vitamins For Dry Skin

Dryness is a skin condition that can be either permanent or temporary. It can be caused by a lack of moisture in the body or damage to the skin’s hydrolipid mantle. Let’s talk about how to find out the cause of dry skin, how to improve its condition, what preventive measures to take and what vitamins are most relevant for dry skin.

What can cause dry skin?

Dry skin can be genetically determined. With insufficient sebum production, the skin’s protective hydrolipidic layer becomes thin and vulnerable. It can easily be damaged. As a result, dry skin has poor moisture retention and can be very sensitive.

Do not confuse dry skin with dehydration. The second condition is temporary and repairable. In this case, the skin feels an acute shortage of water and begins to compensate for this deficit with increased production of fat (which is exactly what dry skin lacks).

Dehydrated skin is caused by improper care as well as by weather conditions. It is not only dry skin that suffers from dehydration, but also oily skin.

• Inflammation and comedones are rare guests on dry skin, but a common story on dehydrated, oily skin.
• Dehydrated, dry skin develops a network of fine lines and wrinkles early on.

Now for the causes of dryness. If it is a symptom of a disease (for example, atopic dermatitis), you need to consult a dermatologist. We will talk about more common life situations. There may be several explanations.

• Use of aggressive cleansers that destroy the skin’s hydrolipidic layer.
• Lack of moisturizing and nourishing care.
• Exfoliating too often. Even trivial shaving leads to irritation and dryness of the skin due to damage to the hydrolipid mantle.
• Extreme weather conditions (heat, cold, strong winds).
• Reduced humidity in centrally heated rooms. A typical problem in our latitudes, when the radiators are running at full capacity.

Symptoms of dry body skin

The main signs of dry skin are easy to recognize:

• Flaking;
• Redness, itching after showering;
• Tightness, discomfort from touching the skin.

How to tell if your skin is deficient in vitamins

Vitamin deficiency can be “diagnosed” by some external signs of skin. For example, vitamin A and E deficiency cause dryness and cracking in the corners of the lips, and the skin on the elbows becomes hard and rough. However, only a dermatologist can determine the true cause of these problems by obtaining the results of appropriate tests.

You can get tested for vitamin and micronutrient deficiencies in any laboratory – but to decipher the results and give recommendations for additional intake of vitamins must be a specialist.

By the way, the risk of avitaminosis is increased if you:

• Have a rigid diet;
• Smoke;
• Abuse alcohol;
• Have diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Have crossed the age limit of 40 years old.

What vitamins are good for your skin?

Deficiencies in certain substances in the body can indeed provoke skin problems. To avoid them, try to balance your diet so that it includes the micronutrients and vitamins she needs.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

The benefits of vitamin C are evidenced by its frequent inclusion in formulas of cosmetic products. A powerful antioxidant, it reduces the negative effects of UV light, increases immunity, stimulates collagen synthesis, reduces inflammation and pigmentation. The champions of vitamin C content are sweet peppers, blackcurrants, kiwi and citrus fruits.

Vitamin E (tocopherol)

It is easier to say what this vitamin does for the skin, because the list of its functions is impressive: fighting free radicals, protecting against photoaging, activating the synthesis of collagen and elastin, normalizing the sebaceous glands and, finally, increasing hydration. The main source of tocopherol is plant oils.

Vitamin B5 (panthenol)

Panthenol is known as a lifesaver for wounds and burns – but it’s just as useful for moisturizing your skin. The best part: vitamin B5 is not at all uncommon and is found in many foods, from egg yolks and bread to nuts and fish.

Vitamin H (vitamin B7, biotin)

This substance could well compete with vitamin E for the title of “beauty vitamin”. Biotin is essential for the integrity of the hydrolipid mantle. As soon as its deficiency is noticed, protection weakens – the skin becomes dry, thin and dull, there is a rash or peeling. The way out is to include liver, mushrooms, cauliflower and broccoli in your menu.

Prevention of dry skin on the body

Before we talk about prevention, answer a few questions.

• Do you often feel dry skin?
• Does your skin react inadequately even to tap water?
• Does no cream help with dryness and flakiness?

Did you answer all your questions in the affirmative? It makes sense to see a doctor instead of searching on the Internet for a solution to your problems from the series “very dry skin what vitamins to take”.

If the problem of dryness is related to your skin type or is a natural reaction to external stimuli, the following tips can help:

• Install special filters for tap water to soften it;
• Change your soap to a creamy gel soap;
• Use nourishing and moisturizing face, neck and décolletage masks more often;
• Protect your skin from the wind – apply a nourishing cream to exposed areas of your body half an hour before going outdoors.