Skin is a resilient yet nimble armor for the body, keeping all of the good things in and the bad things out. Threats like harmful microbes, strong rays of light and chemicals can all do damage to more sensitive inner tissues, and skin is on the front line, there to bear the brunt.

For all it does to keep you safe, skin deserves some credit and a little bit of care. In this article, we'll review how nutrients impact your skin, as well as how you can leverage them in keeping it healthy.
 

UNDERSTANDING YOUR SKIN

Before any efforts are made to improve it, it's essential that you understand your skin for what it is in order to get the best results. While it may sometimes be easy to forget, your skin is a living, responsive organism. It constantly adapts to changes in its environment, both internal and external. Skin also plays an important role in your body's ability to regulate temperature, absorb nutrients and expel toxins.

Skin is composed of three main layers: the epidermis (the outermost layer), the dermis (the middle layer) and the subcutis (the deepest layer). Each of these play a unique role, yet work together to form a cohesive barrier. Your skin is the largest organ in your body by both weight and surface area. It interacts with your system on a number of levels, including the exchange and use of nutrients.

Vitamins and minerals have a pivotal impact on the health of your skin, playing a critical role in stimulating healing, collagen production, as well as reducing inflammation and improving detoxification pathways that can get in the way of glowing skin.
 

NUTRIENTS THAT PROMOTE HEALTHY SKIN

An optimal intake of vitamins can supply your skin with the nourishment it needs to look and feel its best. Of course, there are some that offer more value than others. In order to get the most out of your vitamins, it's worth knowing which ones are the most impactful.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is an antioxidant that helps to protect skin cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause cell damage, and are a result of things like UV radiation, pollution and smoke. Vitamin A also helps to encourage the production of new skin cells and is thought to play a role in repairing damage caused by sun exposure. It's for this reason that it's often used in treatments for conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis.

Vitamin A also provides nature’s most potent concentration of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an important omega6 fatty acid, helping to maintain skin and mucous membrane health. 

Probiotics

The skin is connected to a range of systems and functions, and can therefore be greatly affected by imbalances elsewhere. In particular, the gut has a strong influence on skin health. This is largely due to the fact the gut houses a large portion of the body's bacteria, both good and bad. When the gut is functioning properly, it's able to keep harmful microbes and inflammation at bay. This has a direct impact on your skin, as any inflammation in the body can lead to a number of concerns like acne, psoriasis and eczema.

This is where probiotics come in. Probiotics are the healthy bacteria that help keep everything balanced so that our bodies are functioning the way they’re supposed to. Probiotic bacteria come in many strains, and specific ones have been shown to strengthen the skin barrier, restore pH, alleviate inflammation, and keep skin hydrated by promoting collagen, fat, and ceramide production.

L-Lysine

L-Lysine is an essential amino acid that must be obtained through the diet or supplementation (your body doesn’t naturally produce it). It’s known for its maintenance of the structural protein’s collagen and elastin, which form all connective tissue such as your skin. Collagen, a protein that's found in the dermis, is responsible for keeping skin elastic and plump. As we age collagen production slows, which can lead to wrinkles and sagging skin.

L-Lysine has also been shown to help heal wounds and reduce inflammation, making it a great option for those with conditions like acne, psoriasis and eczema.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is another antioxidant that is found in high levels in both the epidermis and dermis. In addition to its ability to protect cells from damage, it also helps to stimulate collagen production. 

Vitamin C is also thought to help reduce inflammation, and is therefore often used as a treatment for conditions like acne and rosacea. It can also help to fade dark spots and other forms of hyperpigmentation, which is why you often find Vitamin C in skincare products.

Burdock Root

Burdock root is a plant that's native to Asia and Europe, and has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Known alternatively by its native name—arctium lappathe—the adaptogenic nightshade has been beloved for centuries across cultures for its purported purifying and cleansing properties. Burdock roots antioxidant status—one that includes flavonoids and tannins—combined with its ability to cleanse and purify the skin organ itself, delivers a powerhouse herb that can boost circulation, provide protection from free radical damage, and absorb excess oil.

Burdock roots anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties can also help resolve skin issues when it’s applied topically to the skin. 
 

VITAMINS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR SKIN HEALTH

There's no shortage of vitamins and minerals that are good for the skin. However, some are more effective than others. Nutrients such as Vitamins A and C, probiotics, burdock root and L-lysine all play an important role in maintaining healthy skin. Vitamin deficiencies can result in adverse effects to the skin, keep these nutrients in regular rotation in your diet, or add them through supplementation. Not sure if you are deficient? Use the Honed at-home test kit to find out critical nutrient deficiencies and imbalances that may be impacting your health. Trust us, your skin will thank you.