Beauty Vitamins - Skin Protection | You can increase your vitamin D intake

Beauty Vitamins - Skin Protection

Getting the right vitamins.

Taking care of your skin should be an integral part of your health. It is the largest organ in your body. 

The first thing health professionals will tell you to keep your skin healthy is to limit the sun's exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and when you are in sunlight. Wear protective sunscreen.

But the sun is not all bad. 10-15 minutes of daily exposure helps in the preparation of Vitamin D in the whole skin. Vitamin D is one of the best vitamins for your skin, along with vitamins C, E and K.

Making sure you get enough vitamins can keep your skin healthy and young. This could translate into a reduction:

• Deep spots
• Red
• Wrinkles
• Rough patch
• Excessive dryness

Essential skin vitamins are available in supplements, but they are also found in skin care products. Learn more about these four essential vitamins and how they can help you achieve optimal skin health.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is often made when sunlight is absorbed into your skin. When this happens, cholesterol is converted into vitamin D. Vitamin D is then taken through your liver and kidneys and transmitted throughout the body to help form healthy cells. This includes the skin, where vitamin D plays an important role in skin color. It can even help treat psoriasis.

Calcitriol is a man-made version of a type of vitamin D that man produces naturally. Calcitriol is a topical cream that has been effective in treating people with psoriasis. A 2009 study published in the Journal of Drugs and Dermatology Trusted Sources found that applying calcitriol reduced the amount of skin inflammation and irritation in people with psoriasis and had some side effects.

Oregon State University's Lens Palling Institute recommends taking 600 IU of vitamin D daily. If you are pregnant or over 70, you may need more.

You can increase your vitamin D intake:

Get 10 minutes of sun exposure a day (check with your doctor first, especially if you have a history of skin cancer) Eat strong foods, such as breakfast cereals, orange juice, and yogurt. Eat foods that naturally contain vitamin D, such as salmon, tuna and cod.