Its Winter season and you may have noticed some changes in your skin. Colder temperatures and drier air may lead to dry and dull looking skin with fine lines being more noticeable.
Our skin responds well to nutrients, both from food and from supplements. As we age, we may notice more benefits from these nutrients, leading to healthier skin with a glow!
Our skin is constantly exposed to toxins and environmental stressors. This includes the effects of the cold weather, pollution, chemicals found in products and toxins from inside our body, including our food and from our digestive tract.
These toxins result in oxidative stress which affects the skin barrier, damages cells and creates inflammation. Skin specific antioxidants may help to neutralize cell damage from free radicals, promoting healthy skin and a healthy glow!
There are many different Antioxidants that have shown to beneficial in supporting skin health. Many of these can be found in foods and is naturally found in higher levels in our skin.
Vitamin C naturally promotes healthy skin in the dermis and epidermis. It acts as an antioxidant and promotes collagen synthesis. Eating foods high in vitamin C, taking vitamin C as a supplement and applying products that contain Vit C may be beneficial for overall healthy skin.
Vitamin E is also found in our skin. It is an antioxidant, reduces inflammation as well as speeds healing and repair of damaged or inflamed skin.
Zinc is found in higher levels in the epidermis of our skin. It also acts as an antioxidant as well as supports repair and healing of skin. One study found Zinc deficiency may be associated with skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis (Eczema) (1) A second study found supplementing with zinc or applying topical zinc to be beneficial in treating acne (2)
Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin that works well on skin tissue; Our skin responds well to retinoids, Vit A being one of them. Vit A may be beneficial for overall support of skin health and to reduce acne.
One of my new favorite skin nutrients is collagen peptides.
Collagen is a component of human skin. As we age, we lose skin elasticity and collagen. There is a lot of research to support the beneficial effects of taking collagen orally for reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Taking marine collagen peptides may improve skin integrity, promote wound healing, reduce inflammation and improve cell renewal. Many of my patients love collagen because they can see a noticeable difference in their skin.
A randomized study involving women taking collagen between the ages of 45-54 reported an improvement (at 12 weeks) in overall skin score, wrinkle reduction, improved skin elasticity, skin hydration , radiance and firmness vs placebo. (3)
Another study found combining collagen peptides with skin targeting antioxidants may be effective in improving overall skin properties and reduce oxidative stress (4)
The vitamins I have discussed above may be found in food or taken orally as a supplement. Avoiding processed foods, drinking enough water and consuming lots of bright colored fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to incorporate skin healthy nutrients into your daily diet. Drinking green or white tea may also benefit your skin!
At Vitalia Health Care we offer various treatments for healthy skin. Some of the treatments we offer include Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, Microneedling and Intravenous Therapy. Book an appointment with one of our Naturopathic Physicians to investigate if hormones, stress or your digestive system may be affecting your skin health.
Wishing you a very safe, healthy and happy 2022!
Yours in Health,
Dr Tasreen Alibhai, ND
