My Skin Care Regimen Includes Vitamins and Supplements
I have a fair complexion and acne prone skin, which means I've struggled with dry skin, melasma, acne, and scarring as a result. You may have even read about my experience with melasma on my other lens "What is melasma and how do you get rid of it?"
To overcome some of my skin care obstacles, I have taken all of the vitamins I list here and have had varying degrees of success. Currently, I take Naturally Clear, Black Current, and Lysine every day. That's the trick -- if you choose to add vitamins to your skin care regimen, you must do so consistently every day.
Creative Commons Image Credit: House of Sims
The Precautions, the Warnings, and the Unknown of Vitamins and Supplements for Better Skin
- Ask a doctor before taking a new medication, vitamin, or supplement. This is especially true if you are pregnant or taking other medications. There...I said it.
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigates certain food and drugs to make certain they are safe for consumers. However, vitamins and supplements are not often reviewed by the FDA. To learn about vitamin and supplement safety, there are other independent organizations you can look to including Consumer Labs.
- All of our bodies are different and may react differently to certain vitamins and supplements. Read the label to make sure ingredients are mostly organic and that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients.
- When it comes to skin care, vitamins and supplements work slowly. This means you must be patient to see a result. If after a few months you still don't see much change, then the vitamins may not be worth your effort or your dollars.
- Eat food and drink a full glass of water when taking vitamins and supplements. These little pills can sometimes give you big headaches or upset stomachs.
Vitamins A, C, and E are Critical to Skin Care
By consuming antioxidants (vitamins C and E), your body is better equipped to fight against free radicals in the environment. Free radicals include damaging sun exposure, wind, pollution, cigarette smoke, etc., and can all have a negative impact on our skin. These free radicals cause the collagen in our skin to break down, which increases the visibility of wrinkles, hyper pigmentation, sagging skin, and more.
Many super foods are high in antioxidants including spinach, blueberries, and pomegranates, but I recommend you take a supplement that contains your daily recommended dosage of vitamins C and E for healthy skin.
Nature Made Beta Carotene Softgels, Equivalent to 25000 I.U. Vitamin A, 100-Count Bottles (Pack of 3)
Amazon Price: $28.01 (as of 12/04/2009) 
Nature Made Vitamin C, 1000 mg, Premium Tablets, Value Size, 300 premium tablets
Amazon Price: $17.19 (as of 12/04/2009)
Nature Made Vitamin E 400 I.U. Water Soluble, (300 Softgels)
Amazon Price: $17.50 (as of 12/04/2009)
Topical Vitamin C
Philosophy Turbo Booster C Powder 0.25oz
Amazon Price: $35.00 (as of 12/04/2009)
Anew Alternative Clearly C Serum
Amazon Price: $25.00 (as of 12/04/2009)
Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% L-Ascorbic Acid Vitamin C Serum 30ml/1oz
Amazon Price: $54.00 (as of 12/04/2009)
Skin Care Vitamins Success Rate
Omega 3
Omega 3 is an Essential Fatty Acid
Weil Nutritional Omega-3 Complex Softgels, 90-Count Bottle
Amazon Price: $12.79 (as of 12/04/2009)
Black Currant
Black Currant for Inflammation and Reducing Hyperpigmentation
Black Currant Oil by NOW Foods - (500mg - 100 Softgels)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/04/2009)
More Black Currant Goodies
Bob's Red Mill Black Currants, 16-Ounce Packages (Pack of 4)
Amazon Price: $21.54 (as of 12/04/2009)
Pioneer Valley Gourmet Black Currant Jelly
Amazon Price: $6.59 (as of 12/04/2009)
100% Pure Ceylon Black Currant Tea. 25 Enveloped
Amazon Price: (as of 12/04/2009)
Ole Henriksen Black Currant Complexion Oil 1 oz
Amazon Price: $32.00 (as of 12/04/2009)
A Word About Liquid Vitamins
I've only tried one variety of liquid vitamins -- Liquid Life. After trying it out for one month, there is no doubt in my mind that liquid vitamins are more effective than capsules. I know this because I felt great, my hair grew quicker than normal, and my immune system was incredibly strong. I even recovered from a cold in two days!
Some people prefer liquid vitamins because of the fast absorption, because you can avoid swallowing big horse pills, and because liquid vitamins don't have the fillers, binders, and preservatives that a pill or capsule may contain.
In the end, I've opted to take the capsules I listed above, since my goal is to improve my skin health. However, if there were a liquid version that combined everything I needed for skin health, I'd be all over it.
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Naturally Clear Dietary Supplement
A natural alternative for clear skin
The supplements contain high levels of zinc, chromium, selenium, and vitamins A, C, and E, along with a few other nutrients and vitamins. This unique combination helps to prevent acne and repairs damaged skin.
Two pills a day will do the trick, but in times when your skin is under stress (for example, you are about to get your period), you can take up to six pills for up to seven days.
If you are frustrated with your skin health, I highly recommend you try Naturally Clear. I can't speak their praise enough.
Naturally Clear Oral Supplement, Capsules 90 ea
Amazon Price: $17.01 (as of 12/04/2009)
More Products from Naturally Clear
Naturally Clear Nourishing Spray - 4 fl oz
Amazon Price: $9.41 (as of 12/04/2009)
Naturally Clear Scrub - 6 fl oz
Amazon Price: $15.11 (as of 12/04/2009)
Metabolic Maintenance Naturally Clear Box Set 45 day 1 kit
Amazon Price: $36.00 (as of 12/04/2009)
Metabolic Maintenance Naturally Clear Blemish Stick 0.5 oz
Amazon Price: $5.61 (as of 12/04/2009)
Naturally Clear Skin System, 15 Day Supply 1 kit
Amazon Price: (as of 12/04/2009)
Lysine
An Amino Acid Helpful for Lip and Skin Health
Stress, cold weather, illness, and hormones can all cause cold sores. And since many of these things can't always be avoided, it's important to take preventative care of your lips and mouth with by taking one 500 mg capsule of lysine every day.
Of course, if you get cold sores infrequently, then it's probably not necessary to take lysine every day. But when one does appear, take two to three capsules until the it disappears. Lysine works great to speed up the healing process. Additionally, zinc and B12 have shown to promote cold sore healing too.
Source Naturals L-Lysine, Free Form, 500 mg, Capsules, 200 capsules (Pack of 3)
Amazon Price: $22.92 (as of 12/04/2009)
More Cold Sore Help
Abreva Cold Sore/Fever Blister Treatment, .07-Ounce Tube
Amazon Price: $9.26 (as of 12/04/2009)
Cold Sores Warts And Herpes Remedy DermaSeptic Skin Cure
Amazon Price: $55.50 (as of 12/04/2009)
Orajel Maximum Strength Overnight Cold Sore Patch
Amazon Price: $1.50 (as of 12/04/2009)
Novitra Homeopathic Cold Sore Cream, Maximum Strength , .25 oz (7.1 g)
Amazon Price: $10.40 (as of 12/04/2009)
Viroxyn Viroxyn Cold Sore Treatment 3 vials per pack
Amazon Price: $44.25 (as of 12/04/2009)
More Information on Skin Health and Nutrition
- WebMD Looks at Skin Nutrition
- The ever-thorough WebMD has everything you ever wanted to know about skin nutrition.
- CBS News
- CBS News covered this story years ago, and the facts still hold true.
- Skin Fitness Grocery List
- Download a grocery list designed specifically for healthy skin.
by SaraMu
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