Vitamin Deficiency and Dry Skin

Defining Dry Skin

Dry skin can be as simple as slightly rough or itchy skin, or it could be a more severe condition creating cracks, redness, peeling, pain, or a burning sensation. In severe cases, lesions may appear or the skin could begin scaling.

While simple vitamin deficiencies are not necessarily the cause behind severe dry skin, understanding which vitamins are necessary for healthy skin can help individuals afflicted with skin conditions plan a diet to keep their skin healthy.

Vitamins Essential for Healthy Skin

Several vitamins and nutrients are necessary for healthy, well-moisturized skin. Vitamin A – both the retinol and beta carotene forms – is the most essential, but proper skin health results from the proper balance of several vitamins.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A was first discovered in 1913 and today it is known to be important for several health issues. Vitamin A not only contributes to proper cell growth and repair, particularly of skin cells, but is also essential for strengthening night vision, assisting bone growth, and regulating the immune system. A deficiency of Vitamin A can lead not only to dry skin but also to dry hair, broken fingernails, and dry eyes.

The recommended daily dosage of Vitamin A varies from 300 to 1,300 micrograms (1,000 to 4,300 IUs) based on age and other health factors such as pregnancy. While the beta carotene form of Vitamin A can easily be absorbed in much greater amounts, too much of the retinol Vitamin A can result in nausea, dry skin, headaches, and other symptoms.

Carrots are full of vitamins.

Vitamin A can be found in a number of healthy foods, including carrots, egg yolks, peas, apricots, kale, spinach, pumpkin, squash, and oranges. Liver is also a rich source of Vitamin A, and the vitamin is often added to fortified juices and cereals as well as multivitamins and other supplements.

More Vitamins for Skin Health

Other vitamins are also essential to prevent dry skin, including:

• Potassium
  • Sources: Potatoes, squash, peaches, bananas, tomatoes
• Sodium
  • Sources: Dill pickles, olives, tuna, saltwater fish
• Vitamin D
  • Sources: Sunlight, fortified milk, cereals
• Vitamin E
  • Sources: Corn, sunflower oil, asparagus, oats, carrots, wheat germ
• Vitamin B
  • Sources: Whole grains, liver

Clearly, healthy, moisturized skin depends on a balance of many vitamins and nutrients, and a nutritious diet should be designed to meet all of an individual’s vitamin needs to ensure good health, including smooth, luxurious skin.

Healing Vitamin Deficiency and Dry Skin

If a vitamin deficiency is responsible for an individual’s dry skin, consulting a dietitian or physician for a proper nutritional analysis is essential. Adding daily supplements of missing vitamins can dramatically improve skin condition, particularly if the deficiency is severe. Ideally, however, an individual’s nutrient balance and vitamin needs should be met through a regular, healthy diet. Adding vegetables to every meal and choosing recipes that include foods rich in Vitamin A can help ensure that a vitamin deficiency does not contribute to dry skin.

In addition to adding the proper dietary supplements to combat dry skin, topical lotions and moisturizers – especially those enriched with Vitamin A, Vitamin E, or aloe – can help heal skin, and drinking plenty of water can keep skin moisturized from the inside out.

Other Causes of Dry Skin

In many cases, a lack of vitamins may not be the cause for dry skin. There are more than 100 different diseases and environmental conditions that can contribute to dry skin, including:

• Climate, such as high heat, low humidity, or intense cold
• Chronic dehydration
• Harsh chemicals, including soaps, bleach, and household cleansers
• Sunburn
• Thyroid problems or other hormonal imbalances
• Diabetes, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions
• Drinking too much caffeine or alcohol

Making lifestyle adjustments to compensate for these dry skin causes as well as being treated for other medical conditions that may contribute to skin problems can also help heal skin quickly and easily.

Vitamin deficiency and dry skin can be related, but there are many other factors that should be considered when seeking a solution for dry skin. Understanding what vitamins do affect skin condition, however, can help individuals balance their nutritional needs to ensure healthy skin.

For more information about skin diseases, products, and skin health, visit LoveToKnow Skin Care.