10 Best Vitamins and Supplements for Dry Skin

The skin protects our body from external invasions like ultraviolet rays, bacterial infection, and mechanical or chemical stress. Nutritional factors play an important role in skin health. An impaired nutritional status can affect the structural and biological skin function, resulting in skin problems like dry skin.¹

Ranging from beauty secrets for healthy skin and hair to tips to manage skin disorders include consuming certain vitamins. Let us look at 10 best vitamins and supplements for dry skin.

Dry skin, also known as Xeroderma is a common condition that results in skin roughness, tightness, flaking, and scaling.² It can cause itching, excoriations, burning sensation, skin tightness, and increase the risk of skin infections. Causes of dry skin can be many including nutritional factors like dehydration and malnutrition such as vitamin A or vitamin D deficiency, zinc or iron deficiency.²

A study reported that higher intakes of vitamin C and linoleic acid and lower intakes of fats and carbohydrates were associated with better skin-aging appearance, which included lower prevalence of wrinkled appearance, skin dryness due to aging, and skin atrophy) independent of factors known to affect skin aging.³

Here are the 10 best vitamins and supplements for dry skin:

1. Vitamin C – Vitamin C helps strengthen the outer layer of skin and is undoubtedly one of the most important vitamins and supplements for dry skin. It is also an important antioxidant found in skin and has shown to have photoprotective properties in topical application. Higher intakes of vitamin C and linoleic acid and lower intakes of fats and carbohydrates are associated with better skin-aging appearance.³ Studies have shown that vitamin C is essential for collagen formation, skin regeneration, and wound repair. Also, skin keratinocytes can accumulate high concentrations of vitamin, which in association with vitamin E can offer protection against UV rays.⁴
2. Vitamin D – The sunshine vitamin helps in skin cell growth and normal skin function in addition to building up the immune system. Studies have concluded that vitamin D has a pleiotropic effect on the skin and can be an important therapeutic option for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.5 Both these conditions can cause dry skin.
3. Vitamin E – It is a fat-soluble vitamin necessary to repair skin cells. Being an antioxidant it protects the body from free radicals and controls skin inflammation.⁶ It helps retain moisture, thus making it one of the essential vitamins and supplements for dry skin. Vitamin E is used both as a supplement and as a topical application for dry skin.
4. Vitamin A – Vitamin A is an anti-inflammatory agent and is found beneficial in many inflammatory conditions and skin disorders like acne vulgaris and some forms of precancerous and cancer stages.⁷ Known for its role in improving skin integrity and immunity, it helps in relieving dryness of the skin.
5. Vitamin B – Vitamin B complex is not just for general health and nerves. It also has great benefits to the skin, as it can help improve the outer lining of the skin. With its nutritional properties, it can minimize water loss from the skin, help in hydration, and moisturize the skin. This not only improves skin texture and firmness but also helps prevent and manage skin dryness. Vitamin B complex apart from its health benefits is one of the10 best vitamins and supplements for dry skin.
6. Zinc – Zinc is an anti-inflammatory that can help prevent skin dryness and rashes. Hence it is popularly used in skincare products. Its use has increased in the management of many skin conditions like infections, inflammatory dermatoses, pigmentary disorders, and neoplasia.⁸ It is used alone or in combination with other sunscreen agents. Calamine lotion contains zinc oxide or zinc carbonate, owing to its soothing properties, and is frequently used to provide symptomatic relief in pruritus.
7. Linoleic Acid – Linoleic acid (n−6 PUFA), an essential fatty acid, is a rich source of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). It plays a role in reducing skin dryness with aging and preventing skin atrophy. Studies have shown that low intake of linoleic acid can lead to dermatitis with marked abnormalities.³ With these properties it is considered one of the 10 best vitamins and supplements for dry skin.
8. Hyaluronic Acid – It is present in many body tissues and is essential to maintain the moistness of skin tissues. Owing to its moisturizing effect, it is used as a cosmetic, medicine, and food.⁹ Consumption of Hyaluronic acid moisturizes the skin and can improve the quality of life of people with dry skin. It is also believed to be an effective anti-aging supplement.
9. Probiotics – Probiotics are known to improve gut health by balancing the bacterial flora in the gut. They are known to play an important role in systemic inflammation and skin diseases. Studies have shown that oral probiotics can help treat skin diseases like acne, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and wound healing. It can help restore acidic skin pH, reduce oxidative stress and improve skin barrier function and hair quality.¹⁰ Probiotics, both in the oral and topical application form have proved useful in improving skin conditions including dryness of the skin.
10. Aloe Vera – Aloe vera is very popular and widely known for its health, beauty, medicinal, and skincare properties. It contains several vitamins, minerals, enzymes, sugars, and other essential nutrients. Aloe vera offers healing properties and protective effects against radiation damage to the skin. It has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects on the skin. It also has positive effects on the immune system, while its collagen-producing properties make it a great moisturizing and antiaging agent. With these benefits for the skin, aloe vera is surely one of the most essential vitamins and supplements for dry skin.

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Also Read:

• What is Dry Skin or Xerosis & How Long Does it Take To Get Rid of it?
• Cause of Dry Skin On Ear Cartilage & Its Symptoms, Treatments, Home Remedies
• 5 Skin Care Tips For People Having Dry Skin
• Causes of Dry Skin Around the Eyes & its Prevention, Treatment
• What Is The Difference Between A Dry Skin And A Dehydrated Skin?
• How To Fix An Extremely Dry Skin?
• Dehydrated Skin Vs Dry Skin : Differences Based on Definition, Causes & Treatments