Vitamins to Promote Healthy-Looking Skin

Healthy skin is something we all desire. However, sun damage can cause skin to look dull and sallow over time. Your skin can be protected from future damage by antioxidant vitamins like vitamins A and C.

Bobby Kennedy, DO., FAAD is a Cooper Clinic Preventive and Cosmetic Dermatologist. He shares two vitamins that can reverse cellular time and discusses ways you can include the vitamins in your daily skincare routine.

Understanding Sun-Damaged Skin

The skin is the largest organ of the body. After years of sun exposure, damage starts to appear.

Kennedy explains that ultraviolet light can cause skin cell damage when it hits the skin. “Too much damage can cause cancers like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and the most deadly, melanoma.”

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation

• If a person has had more than five sunburns during their lifetime, the risk of developing melanoma is doubled.
• Regular use of a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or greater can lower the chance of developing melanoma 50 percent.

Cooper Clinic dermatologists recommend that you use a daily sunscreen with at least SPF 30.

Vitamin A to reverse signs of aging

Topical applications are the most popular form of vitamin A used in dermatology. The original purpose of topical application of retinol was to treat acne.

Kennedy says that topicals can reverse the effects of photoaging. “Photodamage occurs when ultraviolet rays strike the skin. This damages collagen and eventually leads to “wrinkles”.

Kennedy states that healthy skin cannot make more pigment and is constantly exposes to ultraviolet light. Kennedy also says that it attempts to speed up the growth of squamous cell. Skin becomes dry and rough if the cells become too large.

Vitamin A speeds up cell turnover. This is when new skin cells move from the bottom layer to the top of the skin, causing the skin to shed. Vitamin A can increase collagen and elastin, as well as stimulating cellular repair. It can increase blood circulation which can in turn give glowing skin.

Kennedy recommends using a topical such as Skinbetter AlphaRet(tm) for the best results. Supplementation is also an option for vitamin A. Cooper Complete’s Dermatologic Supplements can be taken orally and contain 3,000 IU vitamin A.

Vitamin C to repair and heal damaged skin

Vitamin C is the most abundant antioxidant in the skin. However, ultraviolet light can decrease the availability of vitamin C in healthy skin.

Kennedy explains, “Think about a fruit that contains a lot vitamin C, like an orange.” It doesn’t look as fresh after it has been out in the sun for some time. It’s losing vitamin D.

Kennedy claims that if you put vitamin C into the fruit, it would start to perk up. Your skin is the same. Both topical and dietary vitamin C can have positive effects on skin cells.

Vitamin C has many benefits:

• Anti-aging through stimulating collagen production, which is responsible for your skin becoming supple
• Heals damaged skin
• In some cases, reduces wrinkles
• It repairs dry skin.
• Combining vitamin E with vitamin E can help reduce inflammation caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Vitamin C, like vitamin A can also be taken orally. Cooper Complete’s Dermatologic health contains 350mg vitamin C and 200 IU Vitamin E.

Reminder: Your physician is the best person to understand your health. It’s important that you talk with your doctor about which supplements might be best for your needs.

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