Dry Skin - Do Vitamin Supplements Really Work?

There are a number of different approaches that you can take when it comes to curing dry skin. You can decrease the amount of times that you shower and turn down your water temperature. You can increase your fluid intake and purchase a humidifier. Or you may even consider applying lotions and intense moisturizing creams to your skin. But is there anything else that you can do? Is it possible to treat dry skin with a vitamin supplement?

To see if vitamin supplements really cure dry skin, we must first understand how the body nourishes skin and how dry patches occur in the first place. The skin is the body's largest organ and as such is nourished by blood vessels and the endocrine system. Granted, the skin is a visible organ so it is easy to see why many people try to treat their dry skin merely through a topical approach. But keep in mind that the skin gets nutrients, moisture and vitamins through the internal systems. This is why an internal approach to curing dry skin is so important.

\"Dry Skin\"

How Do Vitamin Supplements Cure Dry Skin?

Dry Skin - Do Vitamin Supplements Really Work?

As mentioned before, your skin is nourished through the circulatory system. In fact, the majority of your skin's moisture is produced from the water that you drink. If you become dehydrated (most people are and do not even realize it), your body will start to pull moisture from other parts of the body to help with essential functions. One of the first places where this happens is the skin. This is why it is extremely important to drink plenty of water.

Vitamins can help restore health and beauty to dry skin by providing essential nutrients that your skin needs. Antioxidant vitamins such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E help boost healthy cell reproduction which results in youthful, healthy, hydrated skin. Vitamins also help restore a healthy balance to your entire body which greatly affects the appearance of your skin. If you are tired or sick, your skin is often the first place where this shows.

What Vitamins Work at Curing Dry Skin?

Now that you know what important role that vitamins play in curing your dry skin, you are likely wondering which vitamins work the best. Here is a guide to help you decide which vitamins you should be taking as part of your skin care routine:

* Daily multivitamin - Many dry skin conditions are caused by the lack of essential vitamins which are normally absorbed by the body from the foods that we eat. In many cases, though, a regular diet does not supply all of the vitamins that the body needs. This is where taking a daily multivitamin supplement comes in handy.

* Vitamins A and B - Vitamins A and B are vital for skin hydration. If your body is lacking in either of these vitamins, you may begin to show signs of dry skin. These vitamins are normally found in common foods such as fish and leafy vegetables. If you do not consume enough of these types of foods, you may want to consider taking a supplement.

* Vitamin E - If your skin looks dull and lifeless, a lack of Vitamin E is probably to blame. This vitamin is found in foods like olive oil. Vitamin E is also readily absorbed by the skin so topical treatments containing this vitamin can be effective for treating dull and dry skin.

* Antioxidants - Antioxidants ensure healthy cell reproduction. This results in young, healthy and moist skin. You see, skin is renewed on a continuous basis. Daily your skin is producing new skin cells to take the place of dead cells. When you're young, these new skin cells are exact replicas of the old ones. As you age, though, the replicas can become mutated resulting in aged and dry skin.

As you can see, there are many vitamins that combat dry skin. Remember, your skin is an outward reflection of what is going on inside your body. You need to take care of your health, eat a proper diet, and drink plenty of water for your skin to look the best that it possibly can.

There are also many health conditions that can affect the appearance of your skin. Be sure to keep medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease and Hodgkin's disease under control. This will make it much easier to maintain the health of your skin. Dry skin does not have to be a life long or even a seasonal sentence. Simple things like adding vitamins to your diet can do to lot for your dry skin.

Dry Skin - Do Vitamin Supplements Really Work?

www.dryskinsite.com brings you all the latest information you need to combat your dry skin problems. There's nothing to buy, just really helpful information. Be sure to check out pages like Dry Skin: Do Vitamin Supplements Really Work?

Supplements For Dry Skin

Besides the usual multivitamin and mineral supplements, there are a large number of dry skin supplements available in the market. These supplements often come in edible oils, tablets and capsules that offer beneficial fatty acids, antioxidants, and sulfur. These are substances that aid the skin differently from vitamins, but in equally beneficial ways.

The following products are popular examples of such dry skin supplements.

\"dry Skin\"

1. Evening primrose oil is the oil taken from the evening primrose flower. Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid that must be taken from the diet. Evening primrose oil has been used since the early 20th century to treat eczema and dry skin, and has many other benefits for the rest of the body as well. It comes in capsules, and the recommended daily dose is two 500-mg capsules, three times daily. Most people can take evening primrose oil capsules without any side effects, but some may experience slight headaches and some gastrointestinal upset.

2. Higher Nature Essential Balance(TM) is an example of an edible oil supplement for dry skin. It contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in the forms of unrefined flaxseed oil, unrefined pumpkin seed oil, sunflower seed oil, and extra virgin olive oil. These essential fatty acids have been found to improve the skin's resistance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Scientific tests have also proven that regular intake of these fatty acids also improves the healing process of people afflicted with psoriasis and acne.

Besides the positive effects on the skin, these fatty acids also have wide-ranging benefits for the rest of the body. High Nature Essential Balance(TM) has been suggested to be used in food preparation, such as salad dressing, or even taken directly as a liquid supplement. It is not suggested, however, to use the product for cooking and baking, as it is best used cold.

3. Solgar Advanced Antioxidant Formula is a vegetable capsule that serves as a dry skin supplement by increasing the body's antioxidant intake. Antioxidants are molecules that hinder the development of free radicals, which are byproducts produced by the body's processing of oxygen. These free radicals damage and weaken the skin by stripping it of its protein and leaving waste products and molecules. Pollution, smoking, alcohol, stress, and excessive sun exposure are all causes of the formation of free radicals on the skin. Solgar Advanced Antioxidant Formula attempts to control the spread of free radicals and consequently prevent much damage to the skin. The daily dose for Solgar Advanced Antioxidant Formula is two (2) vegetable capsules a day, preferably after a meal.

While most supplements for dry skin are safe for consumption, some aren't, and it helps to pay attention to a product's nutrition information and what it claims to do. For instance, Vitamin A is essential for keeping the skin healthy by locking in moisture and preventing dryness and flaking. However, some dry skin supplements may contain excessive amounts of Vitamin A, and therefore should be avoided by individuals sensitive to it. The same goes for pregnant women and people with kidney stones or a history of such.

Other things to watch out in dry skin supplements:

1. Vitamin B1 should not be taken in doses larger than 75mg by people with diabetes, unless otherwise prescribed by the physician.

2. Vitamin B3 can harm people with glaucoma, stomach ulcers, and diabetes if taken in doses larger than 100mg. What's worse, doses of over one (1) gram can harm liver function in some people.

3. Vitamin B6 should not be taken in doses larger than 20-30mg by pregnant women, unless under a professional's supervision.

4. Pregnant women and children under twelve should avoid milligram (mg) doses of vitamin B12.

5. Excessive intake of vitamin C can cause digestive problems, such as diarrhea, cramps, and gas pains. It may also aggravate stomach ulcers in high doses.

6. People with a history of high blood pressure and heart disease should avoid large intakes of Vitamin E. The same goes for women with breast, ovarian, or other hormonally-dependent tumors.

7. Individuals with kidney problems should avoid potassium ascorbate.

Always check with your health care provider and do a little research yourself when unsure about a particular dry skin supplement. Sometimes, it is healthier and friendlier on your budget to opt for a change in diet in lieu of dietary supplements. More fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, and organic proteins will give you a measure of what most dry skin supplements offer, and at safer, much more manageable doses.

Supplements For Dry Skin

The Dry Skin Site brings you all the latest information you need to assist you with Dry Skin.

© 2007 copyright by DSquare Marketing & Della Franklin. Also check out some of her other sites like The Stress Management Site & Dogwood Square