Vitamin D is An Underrated Element of Healthy Skin
By: Fola Onifade
By: Fola Onifade
What is Vitamin D?
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Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that is critical to almost all of our body’s biological functions, and some health experts believe that our mostly indoor life (worsened with our current quarantine situation) can lead to vitamin D deficiency. According to a 2009 study, 77% of Americans had a vitamin D deficiency.
While vitamin D is mostly known as an essential vitamin for healthy bones, it’s also tied to our skin health. This critical vitamin is fat soluble, and it protects the skin, calms inflammation and improves cell turnover — all functions that affect our skin. |
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When our immune system deteriorates, our skin barriers weaken which can lead to dryness and infection. Similarly, a lack of vitamin D can result in inflammation which can irritate inflammatory skin issues like acne or eczema.
The two main sources of this vitamin in our body come from our diet and our skin when its exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun (UVB). But according to Harvard Health, pigmentation can reduce the skin’s vitamin D production, putting those of us with darker skin at greater risk. So how can we make sure we’re getting enough of this important vitamin?
The two main sources of this vitamin in our body come from our diet and our skin when its exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun (UVB). But according to Harvard Health, pigmentation can reduce the skin’s vitamin D production, putting those of us with darker skin at greater risk. So how can we make sure we’re getting enough of this important vitamin?
Vitamin D in Your Diet
To consume your daily recommended intake of vitamin D, pay attention to the foods you eat. The National Institute of Health suggests that the average non-deficient adult should consume 600 International Units (IU) every day. But doing this with food alone can be difficult.
Oily fish and shellfish are natural sources of Vitamin D, but according to Harvard Health you’d need to eat 5-oz of salmon or two 8-oz cans of tuna to get just 400 IU! One egg yolk has a small amount of vitamin D (20 IU), but because of their high levels of cholesterol, eggs are not a realistic source to meet our vitamin D intake. You can also eat certain foods like milk, orange juice, and cereal that have been fortified with vitamin D.
To get your full recommended intake, however, most nutritionists suggest taking a supplement like a daily multivitamin that carries up to 400 IU of your daily suggested vitamin D.
To get your full recommended intake, however, most nutritionists suggest taking a supplement like a daily multivitamin that carries up to 400 IU of your daily suggested vitamin D.
Vitamin D in Skin by Ame’s Hydrating Face Cream
While vitamin D can be found in prescription anti-inflammatory medication like Calcitrene, Dovonex, or Sorilux, the vitamin can also be found in beauty products like oils and moisturizers.
For example, the shea butter that serves as the base for our Hydrating Face Creamis rich with vitamin D. Because of this, our Hydrating Face Cream provides anti-inflammatory relief for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Vitamin D’s function in our immune system also makes the Hydrating Face Cream a helpful solution to acne and itchy or dry skin, which can sometimes be a result of our body’s internal health.
For example, the shea butter that serves as the base for our Hydrating Face Creamis rich with vitamin D. Because of this, our Hydrating Face Cream provides anti-inflammatory relief for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Vitamin D’s function in our immune system also makes the Hydrating Face Cream a helpful solution to acne and itchy or dry skin, which can sometimes be a result of our body’s internal health.
In addition to its anti-inflammatory and immune strengthening properties, the vitamin D found in the Hydrating Face Cream acts as an antioxidant that helps to fight against the free radicals that damage the skin, staving off premature aging. It also helps normalize skin cell turn over to reduce the build up of dead skin cells that can cause psoriasis.