Several vitamins work in concert to keep skin healthy and vibrant, from vitamins C and E protecting against sun damage to vitamins B and K for maintaining healthy cell production and skin tone. Vitamin A skin care is widely accepted for its part in reducing wrinkles, acne blemishes and helping the other vitamins do their jobs. Without this critical nutrient, the other vitamins would not have the right environment for keeping skin at its optimum health.
Vitamin A is usually produced in sufficient quantities in the body, but supplementation often becomes necessity later in life. Deficiencies can lead to dry skin appearance and contribute to wrinkles. Luckily, most fruits and vegetables are adequately stocked with vitamin A to bolster flagging levels in the body. Multi-vitamins are another common source for the nutrient.
Ointments like the prescription drug Retin-A contain a vitamin A skin care derivative for acne control. Other medications for acne or anti-aging contain other vitamin A derivatives like retinol and beta-carotene. According to WebMD®, a study was presented at the 2003 meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology that showed a vitamin-A-based retinol and vitamin C cream reversing skin blemishes from aging. Foods that are high in beta-carotene also have shown success in preventing psoriasis.
Optimizing vitamin A skin care can also improve other bodily functions. This vitamin is alsorequired for night vision and works as an antioxidant to remove free radicals from the bloodstream. It is also necessary for cell maintenance elsewhere in the body, when regenerating bones or repairing damaged muslces.
When vitamin A deficiencies arise, more than dry, chafed skin can occur. Low levels of the vitamin can also lead to abscesses, sinusitis, increased acne and even a loss of weight. Paying more attention to vitamin A skin care may help to avoid other conditions like insomnia or, conversely, fatique.
Though vitamin A skin care typically entails topical applications, those seeking oral supplementation should not take more than 50.72 ounces (1,500 ml) before consulting with a physician. According to Science Daily®, a vitamin A lotion with just 0.4 percent retinol showed success in a 2007 study at the University of Michican Medical School. The study found that the ointment reversed the effects of wrinkles as well as the onset of ulcerization like acne. Scientists predict that these advances could lead to better overall wound care in the future.