Skin is the largest organ of the body. It protects against disease and infection, regulates temperature and even aids in vitamin production. Keeping skin healthy is important for beauty and general health, even though most of us are interested in knowing how to keep skin healthy rather than actually healthy.
The best way to keep the skin healthy - young, fair, radiant, soft, soft and wrinkle-free - is to keep out of the sun.
Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun bring about a healthy looking tan, but do a lot of damage to the skin in terms of pigmentation, sunburn and loss of elasticity. These can be premature aging in the form of wrinkles, fine lines, sagging, dark skin, uneven skin tone, loss of translucency, increased pores and dryness. Even the best genetics, topical skin lightening treatments, and oral skin supplements will be of little use if one taunts mercilessly and regularly.
Keeping out of the sun helps, but if you can't avoid it, then you need to make sure that you use sunscreen. This is especially important if the sun's exposure is for an extended period of time.
Assuming that someone is already sensible about exposure to the sun, then how can we improve our skin condition further? We know that some oral supplements are effective for good skin health, but what are these supplements and how effective are they?
Supplement from within
The first group will be vitamins and minerals, which will be necessary for the proper functioning of each organ.
Vitamins and minerals that can affect skin health include the B-complex, specifically B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin) and B12 (cybercolamine). Overeat deficiency of vitamins B1 and B2 is thought to be the cause of particular forms of dermatitis (a type of skin inflammation). B12 deficiency is particularly harmful to rapidly dividing cells, including neurons and skin cells.
Apart from B vitamins, deficiency of vitamin C, iron and copper also affects skin health. All three are important for the synthesis of collagen, a major structural protein in the skin, which fills the skin and gives it tone.
Vitamin A is important for the normal life cycle of skin cells. Lack of vitamin A makes the skin dry, fragile and prone to wrinkles. On the other hand, excessive vitamin A intake can cause severe toxicity and should be avoided.
Vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene are known as anti-oxidants that reduce free radicals. (Free radicals cause skin whitening and aging.) Although the role of free radicals and anti-oxidants is beyond doubt, clinical results have not proved conclusive if supplemental vitamins and other micronutrients improve skin quality. Reforms and defy the aging process.
Excessive doses can be just as harmful as deficiencies, so it is best to follow the recommended daily allowance (RDA).
Occasional help
Oral supplementation should go by hand with topical applications - sunscreen of at least SPF 30, creams (preferably skin whitening agents) and moisturizers (preferably with skin brightening agents). Compared to topical applications, the effects of oral supplementation are slower and more subtle. Consumers should be realistic about their expectations as the results will definitely not be seen in 7 days or 2 weeks.
We recommend a holistic approach to skin health, including:
* A healthy balanced diet consisting of all food groups as well as vitamins, minerals and micronutrients.
* Keep a happy positive mood. It is well documented that some skin conditions - such as acne and eczema - are more prevalent among stressors.
* If you smoke, quit smoking. Smoke causes free radicals, damages the microcirculation of the skin and also causes staining of teeth and other discoloration.
Minimize sun exposure and use good sunscreen daily
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