We all want to have a healthy skin. While the main reason for pursuing a healthy skin tend to be shallow in nature, taking good care of our skin actually makes us look younger than our actual age. There are some practical health benefits to maintaining good health for our skin.
The purpose of the skin is to act as a barrier to prevent bacteria, viruses and other contaminants from entering the body and cause infection, illness and diseases. There are many vitamins and minerals that help to keep the skin healthy and thus serve a vital role in the protection of the body.
Antioxidant vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E are very important to healthy skin because it is these vitamins that share in the responsibility of controlling the damages caused by free radicals byproducts.
Among the several types of damages done by free radicals is the destruction of collagen and elastin which are fibers that support the skin and keeps it looking supple.
Vitamin Cplays a part in the production of collagen, making it essential to the good look of the skin. Recent studies have shown that Vitamin C and E? when used together may help to repair sun-damaged skin.
Vitamin A has its own important role in skin health and beauty in addition to its anti-oxidant properties. In terms of diet even small deficiencies can negatively affect the skin causing flakiness and dryness.
Dryness can make lines and wrinkles that are much more apparent. Its primary use however, is as a topical solution for the treatment of severe acne and the reduction of lines and wrinkles.
Also, a deficiency in the Vitamin B complex can leave the skin prone to cracking, bleeding and allow all kinds of bacteria, viruses and other contaminants to easily enter the body.
But in terms of strictly cosmetic concern even a little shortage of the Vitamin B complex can result in scaly and poorly textured skin.
Vitamin K has been found to relieve those awful dark circles under the eyes. Research has also shown that creams made up of both Vitamin K and Vitamin A are more effective than those made up of just Vitamin K but researchers are still following up on these results.
Minerals important to the appearance and health of the skin include selenium, copper and zinc. Selenium whether used as a topical solution or taken in the form of a dietary supplement is thought to play a big role in the prevention of skin cancer.
Copper, zinc and Vitamin C work together to form elastin which helps to support, the skin keeping it firm and healthy.
Next time you shop for your cream, endevour to pick the one with the right minerals.