The skin is the largest organ in the body. It defends against disease, and infection regulates temperature, and even aids in vitamin, production.
Keeping skin healthy, is crucial for beauty and general, health, even if most of us are interested in knowing how to keep skin looking healthy, rather than really keeping it healthy.
The best way to keep skin looking healthy – young, fair, radiant, supple, soft, and, wrinkle-free – is to keep out of the sun.
Ultraviolet, (UV) rays from the sun bring about a healthy-looking tan but do much damage, to the skin in terms of pigmentation, sunburn, and loss of elasticity. These can lead to premature, aging in the form of wrinkles, fine lines, sagging, dark skin, uneven skin tone, loss of translucency, enlarged, pores, and dryness. Even the best of genetics, topical skin lightening, treatments, and, oral skin supplements, would be of little use if one tan mercilessly and regularly.
Keeping out of the sun helps, but if you cannot avoid it, you will have to ensure that you use sunscreen. This is especially, crucial if sun exposure, is for an extended period of time.
Assuming, that one is already sensible, about sun exposure, how can we then further improve our skin condition? We know that certain oral, supplements are effective, for good skin health, but which are these supplements and how effective are they? Supplement, From within the first group would be vitamins and minerals, essential for the proper functioning, of every organ. The vitamins and minerals, that can affect, skin health includes the B-complex, especially B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), and B12 (cyanocobalamin).
Overt deficiencies, of vitamins B1 and, B2, are known to cause special forms of dermatitis, (a kind of skin inflammation). B12 deficiency, is particularly, detrimental, to neurons, and rapidly dividing, cells, including skin cells. Besides the B vitamins, deficiency of vitamin C, iron, and copper also affect skin health.
All three are important for the synthesis, of collagen, a key structural protein, in the skin, which fills the skin and gives it tone. Vitamin A is critical for the normal, life cycle of skin cells.
Vitamin, A deficiency causes, the skin to become, dry, fragile, and, prone to wrinkles. On the other hand, excessive Vitamin, intake may cause serious, toxicity and, should be avoided. Vitamins C and E, and, beta-carotene have been touted, as anti-oxidants, that reduce, free radicals. (Free radicals, resulting, in skin regeneration, and, aging.) However, while free radicals, and, the role, of anti-oxidants, are beyond doubt, clinical results have not conclusively proved, if supplementary, vitamins, and, other micronutrients improve the skin quality and, defy, the aging process.
Excessive doses can be just as harmful, as deficiencies, so it is best to abide by the recommended, daily allowance (RDA). Topical, Help Oral supplements, should go hand-in-hand with topical, applications – sunscreen of at least SPF 30, creams (preferably with skin, whitening agents), and, moisturizer (preferably with skin lightening agents). Compared with topical, applications, the effects, of oral supplements, are slower and more subtle.
Consumers have to be realistic about their expectations because results, certainly, will not be seen in 7 days or 2 weeks. We recommend a holistic approach to skin health, comprising:
A healthy balanced, diet comprising, all food groups as well as vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients. Keep a happy, positive mood. It is well documented, that some skin conditions – such as acne and eczema – are more prevalent, among the stressed.
If you smoke, quit smoking. Smoke causes free radicals damage, of the skin, and, also causes staining, of teeth and, other discoloration
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