With all of the advertisements of health and beauty supplements, it can be easy to swept up into it, not knowing which trend or information is factual and which is not. It can be difficult to know that you are making the correct choice for yourself, especially when you see creams, pills, and all sorts of various supplements out on the market, all advertising younger, healthier skin.
We asked Kelowna dermatologist Dr. Crippen for guidance. This is what we learned.
Vitamins that Work
There are endless vitamin supplements available in pharmacies, but not all of them will help you achieve your beauty goals. The best skin supplements come from Vitamin C and Vitamin E. They are both powerful antioxidants that can help keep your skin clear and healthy, while preventing unnecessary breakdown. Another great vitamin supplement is Vitamin D. Vitamin D supplements have already been shown to help your bones. Taking them is a healthy alternative to staying out in the sun to absorb the essential vitamin. Sun exposure will age and discolor your skin, in addition to putting you at a higher risk of developing skin cancer.
Retinol
Another supplement that can actually help with beauty is retinol. Also known as Vitamin A, retinol can be consumed in a variety of ways, from pills and lotions, to drinks. Retinol is skin-replenishing that can also help keep your skin as clear as possible. There are some safety concerns with retinol, however. If you have any healthy issues, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, this type of supplement will need to be avoided.
Omega 3
Omega 3 fatty acids are another supplement that is thrown around a lot. Omega 3 can be found in fish and nuts. Because of its high fatty-acid content, it can help bright, repair, and improve your skin’s texture, leaving you with a younger and more luminous complexion. This one is pregnancy-safe, if that was a concern of yours. Fatty acids in general are very good for your body, so they can help beautify you from the inside out.
Zinc
Zinc should not be forgotten in a list of beneficial supplements. Zinc is integral to your immune system. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and when your immune system is healthy, your skin will be healthy as well. If you consider how obvious it is when someone has a cold or flu based on the pallor of their skin, it should come as no surprise that it is incredibly beneficial to your skin to have a strong immune system.
How you Receive the Supplements
How you take in the supplements can affect how your body processes them. Applying supplements directly to your skin has a very different effect than taking them in a pill form. This is because when pills go through your digestive tract, they are broken down in order to be absorbed more effectively into your body. Unfortunately, in the case of skin care, this can mean losing some of the important benefits that you would have otherwise obtained from them. Collagen is a great example of this. If you apply collagen to your face, it can improve the elasticity of your skin and provide it with a more youthful appearance. If you were to consume it, however, it would be broken down to the point that it is not able to achieve the same results.
If you have any concerns about the health of your skin, make sure to visit a dermatologist. Skin concerns should never be overlooked or taken for granted.