When most people think of skin care, they tend to stop on the surface. But scientists have come to understand that when it comes to the skin, good health starts from the inside. This is where essential nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, come in. These important substances help the body to function properly, which in turn promotes good health of all the major systems, including organs like the skin. So now we have a direct connection between good nutrition and healthy skin. And when it comes to healthy skin, one of the most important groups of nutrients is the B vitamins. This is a family of eight vitamins that work together to promote proper metabolism, an essential component in maintaining good overall health. The various B vitamins each have a specific function and each one affects the condition of your skin.
How Exactly Do B Vitamins Help Your Skin?
The 8 key B Vitamins include B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9 and B12. They are found in a variety of foods and must be replenished on a regular basis as, like most vitamins, they are water soluble, which means they are quickly flushed out by the body rather than being stored. This means we need to include the B vitamins in our regular diet in order to maintain the necessary amount. The B vitamins can be found in fish such as salmon and tuna, in lamb, beef, poultry, eggs and dairy food and in many types of vegetables, fruits and legumes. Together, the B vitamins do everything from preventing free radical damage, to promoting healthy cell growth to reducing inflammation and maintaining proper levels of hydration. For this reason, they have beneficial effects on the skin that help to relieve the symptoms of various skin conditions and combat the common signs of aging such as the formation of fine lines and wrinkles and loss of overall skin tone.
Can it Treat Any Skin Conditions?
While it is obviously important to consume the right amounts of essential nutrients like the B vitamins, these vitamins can also provide help for the skin through topical application. Many popular skin care products on the market today contain B vitamins to help fight against a range of conditions including acne, eczema, rosacea, hyperpigmentation and seborrhoeic dermatitis. In particular, Vitamin B3, or niacin, is one of the most popular skin care ingredients, as it has been directly linked to easing the symptoms of acne as well as rosacea, dermatitis and sun damage. Other forms of Vitamin B can help reduce oil formation, a major symptom of acne; control cell formation to slow the progress of eczema; and work to lighten skin, helping to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, as well as relieving rosacea and any blister causing diseases of the skin. At the same time, the ability of the B vitamins to naturally balance hydration levels helps to improve the overall appearance of the skin, preventing it from become dried and cracking as well as lessening the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. And this moisturizing and soothing effect can also help to lessen the effects of sun damage caused by exposure to the harsh UV rays of the sun.
How Does It Compare To Traditional Treatments?
While a number of traditional treatments including oral and topical medications, laser treatment and light therapy are recommended for conditions like rosacea and eczema, many people prefer to opt for natural alternatives. Supplying your body with essential nutrients like the B Vitamins is one of the best ways to help your body heal from the inside out without exposing it to synthetic chemicals and their possibly dangerous side effects. While research into the specific benefits of vitamins for skin care is ongoing, there is little doubt that these important nutrients can have a significant effect on the health of your skin so they should always be included in your skin care arsenal.
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