Skin is the largest organ of the body. It protects against disease and infection, regulates temperature, and also aids in vitamin production. Keeping skin healthy is important for beauty and general health, even though most of us are interested in knowing how to keep skin healthy rather than what it actually.
The best way to keep skin healthy – youthful, fair, glowing, supple, soft and wrinkle-free – is to stay out of the sun.
Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun bring about a healthy looking tan, but cause great 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, loose skin, darkening of the skin, uneven skin tone, lack of translucency, enlarged pores and dryness. Even the best genetics, topical skin lightening treatments and oral skin supplements will be of little use if one tans mercilessly and regularly.
Avoiding the sun helps, but if you can't avoid it, you need to make sure you use sunscreen. This is especially important if the sun exposure is for an extended period of time.
Assuming that one is already sane about sun exposure, how can we further improve the condition of our skin? We know that some 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, which are essential for the proper functioning of every organ.
Vitamins and minerals that affect skin health include the B-complex, especially B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin) and B12 (cyanocobalamin). An apparent deficiency of vitamins B1 and B2 is known to cause certain types of dermatitis (a type of skin inflammation). B12 deficiency is particularly damaging to rapidly dividing cells, including neurons and skin cells.
In addition to B vitamins, deficiencies 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 plumps the skin and gives it tone.
Vitamin A is important for the normal life cycle of skin cells. Deficiency of vitamin A makes the skin dry, fragile and wrinkled. On the other hand, excessive vitamin A consumption can lead to severe toxicity and should be avoided.
Vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene are known to be anti-oxidants that reduce free radicals. (Free radicals result in skin degeneration and aging.) However, while the role of free radicals and anti-oxidants is beyond doubt, clinical results have not conclusively proven whether supplemental vitamins and Other micronutrients improve skin quality and avert the aging process.
Excessive doses can be just as harmful as deficiencies, so it is best to follow the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA).
Timely assistance
Oral supplements should go hand in hand with topical applications – sunscreens, creams (preferably with skin-lightening agents) and moisturizers (preferably with skin-lightening agents) of at least SPF 30. Compared to topical applications, the effects of oral supplements are slower and more subtle. Consumers have to be realistic about their expectations as surely the result will not be seen in 7 days or 2 weeks.
For healthy skin advice, the following things should be kept in mind such as:
* A healthy balanced diet containing all the food groups as well as vitamins, minerals and micronutrients.
*Keep happy positive mood. It is well documented that certain skin conditions – such as acne and eczema – are more prevalent in people who are stressed.
* If you smoke, quit smoking. Smoke causes free radicals, damages the microcirculation of the skin and also causes stains and other discoloration of teeth.
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