Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRole in Skin CareEssential VitaminsHow to UseBenefitsRisksFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Role in Skin Care
Essential Vitamins
How to Use
Benefits
Risks
Frequently Asked Questions
Vitamins are necessary for skin health. That said, popping a multivitamin or slathering your face in vitamin-infused skincare products doesn’t guarantee that you’ll end up with glowing skin.
Your whole body needs vitamins to function, not just your skin. Someone who is vitamin deficient can have all sorts of health problems. Sometimes, a deficiency can be very noticeable because it affects the appearance of the skin.
The benefits of topical vitamin-based skincare are somewhat unclear. There’s some evidence that certain vitamin serums may help reduce signs ofaging due to sun exposure, pollution, and smoking.However, like with supplements, there’s no guarantee that you’ll see results if you use them. What works for you may not work for someone else.
This article will go over six vitamins for skin health. You’ll also learn what research says about taking vitamins for your skin.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
How to Keep Your Skin Healthy As You Age
What Are Vitamins for Skin Care?
Not all vitamins affect skin health. However, some, likevitamin Eand vitamin C, play an essential part in the skin’s ability to repair itself.
Most of the research on vitamins for skin is inconclusive or limited. The reality is that the most important way to support skin health is to eat a healthy diet rich in vitamins. A healthy body, in turn, helps support healthy skin. Your skin can often be a window to your insides.Yellowed, jaundiced skin, for instance, can be a sign of liver damage.
Popping supplements and applying vitamin-infused creams and lotions to the skin can help, especially when a person is deficient. Some topical vitamin-containing serums can also help reduce scarring andsunspots. But a healthy diet is the best way to get the vitamins your body needs to prevent and repair skin damage.
If you have a particular skin condition, like acne oreczema, you should speak to a dermatologist before adding supplements and topicals to your skincare regimen. They may have an adverse effect and further irritate the skin.
Is Almond Oil Good for You Skin?
Essential Vitamins for Skin Health
Here’s a breakdown of how different vitamins support skin health. For the most part, more research is required to understand the direct correlation between ingesting or topically applying these vitamins and the health of your skin.
Remember, you can get all these vitamins via a healthy diet. They’re readily available in many whole food sources.
Vitamin A
Aform of vitamin A called retinolis one of the most popular skincare ingredients on the market. There’s significant clinical evidence that shows it can help limit the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also can increase the rate at which skin repairs and heals itself.
Unfortunately, topical formulations do tend to cause skin irritation. If you have sensitive skin, do a skin patch test and start with a product that isn’t very concentrated.
Plant and Animal Foods With Vitamin A
Vitamins and Minerals for Acne
Vitamin C
Another key skin vitamin isvitamin C. It’s a well-known antioxidant that plays a role in building collagen. Research on how vitamin C affects the skin is still quite limited, but there’s some evidence that it can limit UV sun damage.
You should not use a vitamin C product as a substitute for sunscreen because it doesn’t absorb UVA or UVB rays. People with a vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) may experience slow wound healing and dry skin.
The Best Vitamin C Skin Serums of 2022
Vitamin D
Your skin also needs vitamin D. You absorb vitamin D via sun exposure. Because of concerns about howUV raysimpact the skin, you probably keep your skin covered or wear sunscreen when you’re outside, which can increase your risk of avitamin D deficiency.
Does Vitamin D Help Dry Skin?
Vitamin E
Vitamin Eis vital for healthy skin. It’s an antioxidant that’s commonly included as an ingredient in many skincare products.
Vitamin E may have some protective effects regarding UV rays, but like vitamin C, it isn’t a substitute forsunscreen.However, it may helpheal sunburned skin, which is why you’ll see it included as an ingredient in many sunburn relief creams and gels.
Vitamin E Oil: Are the Benefits Worth Trying?
How to Use Antioxidants for Skin Health
Vitamin K
Your body mainly needsvitamin Kfor blood clotting and bone health, but it’s also an important skin vitamin. Since it helps with clotting, vitamin K is also essential in wound healing. There’s not much research on vitamin K and skin health, but what we do know suggests that it may reduce the appearance ofbruises.
Nicotinamide
There is strong evidence showing that nicotinamide (a form ofniacinor vitamin B3) decreases the risk of some skin cancers. It is thought to play a role in enhancing DNA repair in UV-damaged skin.
The results of one Australian study, which were published in theNew England Journal of Medicine,showed that oral nicotinamide was effective in reducing the rates of new nonmelanoma skin cancers (such asbasal-cell carcinomaandsquamous-cell carcinoma) in patients at increased risk.
Can B Vitamins Improve Skin Health?Researchers don’t completely understand the role between B vitamins and skin health.Biotin(a B vitamin) supplements, for instance, may help people with a deficiency, but there’s little evidence that they can help healthy individuals. The same is true for other B vitamins like riboflavin.
Can B Vitamins Improve Skin Health?
Researchers don’t completely understand the role between B vitamins and skin health.Biotin(a B vitamin) supplements, for instance, may help people with a deficiency, but there’s little evidence that they can help healthy individuals. The same is true for other B vitamins like riboflavin.
Can B Vitamins Prevent Skin Cancer?
How to Use Vitamins for Skin Health
There are various ways to get the vitamins you need for healthy skin.
Diet
Which Foods Are Good Sources of Vitamin C?
Supplements
Taking vitamin supplements is a convenient way to get skin-health-supporting vitamins you may not be getting in your diet. However, with supplements, there’s often a risk of taking too much. Taking too much vitamin A, for instance, can be harmful. You’re better off attempting to improve your diet before relying on supplements.
If you want to try supplements, talk to your healthcare provider. Although they’re “natural," supplements can interact with medications, and it’s easy to overdose if you’re not technically deficient.
Topical
Not all lotions and serums with vitamins for skin are created equal. Some have higher concentrations of vitamins. You should also know that some topical vitamins can cause skin irritation, especially those with a high concentration of active ingredients. Apply cautiously and talk to a dermatologist if you’re unsure a product is right for your skin.
Skin Signs of Vitamin DeficiencySome skin signs of a vitamin deficiency include hyperpigmentation, poor wound healing, hair loss, nail abnormalities, rough, scaly patches, and excessive dryness.However, this is not an exhaustive list. If you are worried you have a vitamin deficiency, talk to your healthcare provider. A blood test is the only way to confirm whether your body is low in a particular nutrient.
Skin Signs of Vitamin Deficiency
Some skin signs of a vitamin deficiency include hyperpigmentation, poor wound healing, hair loss, nail abnormalities, rough, scaly patches, and excessive dryness.However, this is not an exhaustive list. If you are worried you have a vitamin deficiency, talk to your healthcare provider. A blood test is the only way to confirm whether your body is low in a particular nutrient.
Signs of a Vitamin Deficiency
Here are some of the frequent claims you might see about vitamins for skin health.
If you’re considering taking supplements, discuss your decision with your healthcare provider to ensure a balanced intake and avoid an overdose.
Can You Be Allergic to Skincare Products?
If you want to use vitamins to promote skin health, know that there are risks to doing so. It’s possible to experience adverse reactions when taking too much of a specific vitamin. While there’s no risk of overdosing on avitamin C supplement—because it’s water-soluble and you urinate the excess—it’s possible to have a reaction when using it topically. Some side effects of topical vitamin C use include:
Topical retinoidscan also cause skin irritation, especially in people with sensitive skin.
Taking vitamin E for your skin can also cause problems. Studies suggest that getting too much vitamin E in supplement form can lead to potential long-term health risks such as prostate cancer and an elevated risk of death in people with existing heart conditions.Vitamin E may also interact with certain medications, like anticoagulants.
What Happens If You Overdose of Vitamin Supplements?
Summary
Some people are also lucky to be blessed with great genes that gift them with nearly flawless skin. If you’re seeking a way to improve the health of your skin, your best bet is to talk to a dermatologist—especially if you have a skin condition that’s bothering you, like acne or rosacea.
If you’re concerned about skin aging and the appearance of wrinkles, trying creams and supplements might help, but it’s also an expensive road to go down. Ultimately, a healthy diet is the most effective way to prevent vitamin deficiencies that can lead to problems with your skin.
Tips for Hydrating Your Skin
Magnesium plays many important roles in your body, including as a nutrient that supports the health of your skin.Some research has shown that magnesium can be soothing for people with certain inflammatory skin conditions like acne,rosacea, and even diaper rash.Other studies have found that magnesium might help protect the skin from sun damage and help regulate how much oil (sebum) it makes.
Magnesium plays many important roles in your body, including as a nutrient that supports the health of your skin.
Some research has shown that magnesium can be soothing for people with certain inflammatory skin conditions like acne,rosacea, and even diaper rash.
Other studies have found that magnesium might help protect the skin from sun damage and help regulate how much oil (sebum) it makes.
Zinc is a popular ingredient in skin and hair care products, especially those meant to keep dandruff at bay.Research has shown that zinc, either in the diet or as a supplement, can be a key part of managing many dermatological conditions, including actinic keratosis, oral lichen planus, and seborrhoeic dermatitis.
Zinc is a popular ingredient in skin and hair care products, especially those meant to keep dandruff at bay.
Research has shown that zinc, either in the diet or as a supplement, can be a key part of managing many dermatological conditions, including actinic keratosis, oral lichen planus, and seborrhoeic dermatitis.
Vitamin B12and B complex vitamins may have some skin health benefits. For example, one study found that vitamin B12 helped improve acne-related inflammation.
However, a person who is deficient in vitamin B12 might have hyperpigmentation as a sign of the deficiency. In this case, correcting the deficiency may also improve the appearance of their skin.
The Best B-Complex Supplements, According to a Dietitian
24 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Basavaraj KH, Seemanthini C, Rashmi R.Diet in dermatology: Present perspectives.Indian J Dermatol. 2010;55(3):205-210. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.70662
Harvard Health.Skin Serum: What It Can and Can’t Do.
Linus Pauling Institute.Vitamin A and Skin Health.
Linus Pauling Institute.Vitamin C and Skin Health.
Linus Pauling Institute.Vitamin D and Skin Health.
Linus Pauling Institute.Vitamin E and Skin Health.
University of Florida IFAS Extension.Facts About Vitamin K.
Mainville L, Smilga AS, Fortin PR.Effect of nicotinamide in skin cancer and actinic keratoses chemoprophylaxis, and adverse effects related to nicotinamide: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Cutan Med Surg. 2022;26(3):297-308. doi:10.1177/12034754221078201
Chen AC, Martin AJ, Choy B, et al.A phase 3 randomized trial of nicotinamide for skin-cancer chemoprevention.N Engl J Med. 2015;373(17):1618-1626. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1506197
Harvard Health.Should You Get Your Nutrients From Food or From Supplements?
DiBaise M, Tarleton SM.Hair, nails, and skin: differentiating cutaneous manifestations of micronutrient deficiency.Nutrition in Clinical Practice. 2019;34(4):490-503. doi:10.1002/ncp.10321
Kong R, Cui Y, Fisher GJ, et al.A comparative study of the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skin.Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2016;15(1):49-57. doi:10.1111/jocd.12193
Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM.The roles of vitamin C in skin health.Nutrients. 2017;9(8):866. doi:10.3390/nu9080866
Sidgwick GP, McGeorge D, Bayat A.A comprehensive evidence-based review on the role of topicals and dressings in the management of skin scarring.Arch Dermatol Res. 2015;307:461-477. doi:10.1007/s00403-015-1572-0
Javanbakht MH, Keshavarz SA, Djalali M, et al.Randomized controlled trial using vitamins E and D supplementation in atopic dermatitis.Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 2011;22(3):144-150. doi:10.3109/09546630903578566
Telang PS.Vitamin C in dermatology.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2013;4(2):143-146. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.110593
Klein EA, Thompson IM, Tangen CM, et al.Vitamin E and the risk of prostate cancer: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT).JAMA. 2011;306(14):1549-1556. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.1437
Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin E.
Nourbakhsh SM, Rouhi-Boroujeni H, Kheiri M, et al.Effect of topical application of the cream containing magnesium 2% on treatment of diaper dermatitis and diaper rash in children a clinical trial study.J Clin Diagn Res. 2016;10(1):WC04-WC6. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2016/14997.7143
Gupta M, Mahajan VK, Mehta KS, Chauhan PS.Zinc therapy in dermatology: a review.Dermatol Res Pract. 2014;2014:709152. doi:10.1155/2014/709152
Yang M, Moclair B, Hatcher V, et al.A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a novel pantothenic Acid-based dietary supplement in subjects with mild to moderate facial acne.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2014;4(1):93-101. doi:10.1007/s13555-014-0052-3
Jerajani HR, Mizoguchi H, Li J, Whittenbarger DJ, Marmor MJ.The effects of a daily facial lotion containing vitamins B3 and E and provitamin B5 on the facial skin of Indian women: a randomized, double-blind trial.Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2010;76(1):20-26. doi:10.4103/0378-6323.58674
Rao VR.Vitamin B12 deficiency presenting with hyperpigmentation and pancytopenia.J Family Med Prim Care. 2018;7(3):642-644. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_347_16
Draelos ZD.An oral supplement and the nutrition–skin connection.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 12(7):13-16.Gašperlin M, Gosenca M.Main approaches for delivering antioxidant vitamins through the skin to prevent skin ageing.Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery. 2011;8(7):905-919. doi:10.1517/17425247.2011.581657MedlinePlus.Vitamins.Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM.The roles of vitamin C in skin health.Nutrients. 2017;9(8):866. doi:10.3390/nu9080866Schagen SK, Zampeli VA, Makrantonaki E, Zouboulis CC.Discovering the link between nutrition and skin aging.Dermatoendocrinol. 2012;4(3):298-307. doi:10.4161/derm.22876
Draelos ZD.An oral supplement and the nutrition–skin connection.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 12(7):13-16.
Gašperlin M, Gosenca M.Main approaches for delivering antioxidant vitamins through the skin to prevent skin ageing.Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery. 2011;8(7):905-919. doi:10.1517/17425247.2011.581657
MedlinePlus.Vitamins.
Schagen SK, Zampeli VA, Makrantonaki E, Zouboulis CC.Discovering the link between nutrition and skin aging.Dermatoendocrinol. 2012;4(3):298-307. doi:10.4161/derm.22876
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
