Skin is the outer covering of the body that protects the body from various infective agents as well as from harmful UV rays. Similarly skin is also controlled by many internal factors. Both the factors, external as well as internal, influences skin conditions such as elasticity, texture, pigmentation etc.
Skin elasticity is the ability of the skin to stretch and regain the normal position once the motive for stretch is over. Elasticity of the skin is made possible through a connective tissue called collagen, which may degenerate due to nutritional deficiencies, exposure to sun light, pollution, injuries, aging etc.
Proper skin care and healthy diet helps to improve the skin texture and elasticity and make the skin smoother and younger. Vitamins play a key role in diminishing these signs of aging. Vitamins that can create wonders on your skin can be either taken as supplements or as part of normal diet. Vitamins can even be applied externally over the skin to get good results
Health Benefits Of Vitamins To Improve Skin Elasticity
Vitamin A For Skin
Vitamin A enhances the repair works of the skin and helps to maintain the skin in good condition. Any deficiency of vitamin A will lead to dry and flaky skin. Intake of vitamin A either through diet or through supplements helps to improve the skin moisture and thereby promote skin elasticity.
Good sources of vitamin A include liver, carrots, collard greens, apricots, chili pepper, kale, cantaloupe, spinach, sweet potato, mango etc. It is always better to take vitamin A from natural food sources, as high dose of vitamin A through supplementation can be harmful. You can even consider beta-carotene, which is a precursor of vitamin A to get attractive skin.
Vitamin C For Skin
Vitamin C is very effective in reducing the damages caused by the free radicals, which are developed due to overexposure to pollution and sunrays. Free radicals once formed degenerate the elastin and collagen fibers that provide the elasticity to the skin leading to the formation of wrinkles and lines.
Vitamin C protects the skin from UV rays and enhances the production of collagen and slows down the signs of aging. Vitamin C is largely available from lemons, oranges, berries, bell peppers, grapefruit, broccoli, grapes, dark leafy vegetables etc. In addition to vitamin C, all these fruits also provide fibers, which are essential for the well-being of the skin. Topical application of vitamin C is found to be very beneficial for improving the elasticity of the skin.
Vitamin B Complex For Skin
B complex vitamins play an important role in maintaining the skin tone and elasticity. Niacin, a lipophilic B vitamin helps in moisture retention and makes the skin plump and young. It also reduces the skin inflammation and provides an even skin tone. Biotin, another B vitamins plays an integral part in the skin production, hence is necessary for a healthy skin. Hence, the intake of B complex vitamins improves the elasticity and appearance of the skin and the food rich with B vitamins include tuna, barley, turkey, lentils, wheat bran, bananas, tempeh, oats and potatoes.
Vitamin E For Skin
Vitamin E is considered as one of the key vitamins for improving the skin condition and is very effective against wrinkling and sun damages. Since, there is concern about vitamin E toxicity; its maximum intake should be restricted to 400 IU a day.
Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and eliminates the free radicals from the body. Free radicals if they remain in the body cause severe cellular damage. It also moisturizes the skin and enhances the production of vitamin A within the body. All these improve the skin texture and elasticity. Foods rich with vitamin E include nuts, olive oil, almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, safflower oil, walnuts and pumpkin seeds.
Vitamin K For Skin
Vitamin K is a very important vitamin that can improve the elasticity of the skin and is found to be very effective in treating psuedoxanthoma elasticum, a hereditary condition that causes excessive wrinkling of the skin. Vitamin K plays a major role in improving the blood circulation and thereby provides total internal skin nourishment. Moreover, vitamin K heals the wrinkles, spider webs and imperfections on the skin and boosts the elasticity of the skin. The foods that are enriched with vitamin K are soy beans, green vegetables, spinach, lentils, cabbage, Brussels sprout, turnips, broccoli, egg yolk, chicken etc.
Apart from taking vitamins, essential fatty acids and antioxidants like alphalipoic acid, polyphenols, glutathione, CoQ10 etc. will also help to regain the lost elastin and collagen in the skin and provide tautness and flexibility to the skin. Apple, cocoa, raspberry, pomegranate, black tea, strawberry etc. are excellent sources of antioxidants. Essential fatty acids like omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids are available from sardines, salmon, flax seed, mackerel, canola, hemp oil and pumpkin seeds. Also drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.