Your skin is the body's largest organ. As such, it deserves to be treated to the nines. And no matter how much you perfect your skincare routine, there may still be something major standing in the way of your dream skin: your diet. Don't let a lack of vitamins be the source of your skin frustration.
"Vitamins and nutrients that help our skin barrier are the best at helping us achieve glowing skin from the inside-out," says Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, TX.
What supplements are best to take for your skin?
Since glowing skin is always in style, treat yours well by learning about the best vitamins for skin. From vitamin A all the way to vitamin E, we spoke to the skin experts to learn the ABCs of radiant skincare and how each supplement can benefit your skin.
And, might we suggest our plant-based Skin Hydration Boost™, ($30; shop now) which boasts beauty-loving ingredients, like biotin and vitamin C, to help support healthy hair, skin and nails.** Additionally, hyaluronic acid helps you maintain a dewy glow — all in two capsules.**
What is the best vitamin for skin repair?
Vitamin A
Cell turnover from this powerhouse of a vitamin results in a glowing complexion and fewer wrinkles, according to Toby Dash, Owner of the beauty blog, fivestarskincare.co. It's also an antioxidant, which is something that Jill Canes, NP, and Founder of Face Forward Medical Aesthetics, says fights free radicals (this includes everything from sunlight to pesticides to pollution).
As a result, the skin is less damaged over time. Always a plus. "It also regulates sebum production and has anti-inflammatory properties," she adds.
There's a direct connection between vitamin A and collagen, aka the body's most abundant protein. "It helps to hydrate the collagenthat's stored in the dermis of your skin (the second layer). When hydrated, it helps with elasticity and plumpness of your skin," says Courtney Dailey Croll, Founder of wondergloss.com.
Which vitamins make your skin glow?
Vitamin B
Vitamin B may be filled with complex-B vitamins, but there's nothing complicated about the results. Starting with vitamin B3 (topically known as niacinamide), Croll says that its a standout ingredient: "It helps the skin restore moisture content in your skin and helps your skin look plumper and glowy." It also acts as a shield against the elements that age you most, like free radicals, adds Canes.**
Another important B vitamin to add to your skincare regimen is B5. "B5 prevents the loss of moisture and promotes new skin cell growth," says Canes. Vera Oh, Co-CEO of glowoasis, takes hers daily for a clear complexion. "I take vitamins B and C and collagen daily to give my skin a healthy, youthful glow.**"
Vitamin C
The "C" in vitamin C might as well stand for collagen since this beneficial skin vitamin, aka a collagen builder, helps boost the production of it. "Vitamin C helps stimulate the production of collagen, which is the connective tissue that keeps your skin looking firm," says Dash.
Vitamin D
Your skin is at its best when it has enough of this fat-soluble vitamin. This is especially true for those who are prone to blemishes, explains Dash.
It's an important vitamin to take year-round, but especially during the winter. "Since vitamin D is primarily provided through exposure to the sun, if you live in a colder climate and sun exposure is limited in these chilly months, taking a vitamin D supplement might be something worth considering," says Dash.
Before supplementing with vitamin D (or any other vitamin on this list) you should consult with your doctor. You can get your vitamin D levels tested so you know how to adjust your diet and supplementation during winter and summer months.
Vitamin E
You don't need a highlighter palette for glowing skin – just vitamin E.
"This is another antioxidant that keeps the skin moisturized by protecting your skin and helps to prevent inflammation,**" Canes explains to Lively.
What are the best vitamins for skin elasticity?
"As we age, our collagen production decreases and our elastic fibers become less functional, like a rubber band that has been overstretched and lost its recoil," says Geddes-Bruce.
Get a firm hand on this by taking these vitamins for skin elasticity.**
Vitamin A
You're guaranteed A+ results with vitamin A since it's "an antioxidant that protects your skin against sun damage and free radical damage, while slowing down signs of aging such as wrinkles and age spots,**" says Canes.
And since harmful UV rays can damage the elastin in your skin, you'll especially want vitamins A (plus vitamin E) on your side since these "play an important role in filtering out these UV rays."
Vitamin C
Since elasticity and collagen go hand-in-hand, vitamin C is important to stimulate collagen production. "Vitamin C provides both tightening effects and it supports fibers such as collagen and elastin to keep your skin strong and bouncy,**" explains Croll.
Oh agrees, adding that supplementing with ingestible collagen helps her skin feel smooth and supple.
Vitamin E
A list about vitamins for skin elasticity has to include vitamin E. It helps protect the skin from sun damage, which is something that Croll says helps slow down the breakdown of collagen.**
For best results, combine the power couple of vitamins C and E. "They work together as antioxidants to protect us from UV damage,**" explains Geddes-Bruce.
