Can You Get Vitamins Through Your Skin?

The appearance of your skin is like a mirror into your internal health. Your skin is your largest organ, and the first line of defense against bacteria and other outside exposures. The health of your skin is linked to gut health, liver health, and adrenal health. As founder and director of the National Institute of Whole Health, Georgiana Donadia, PhD, DC, MSc, explains: “Your skin is the fingerprint of what is going on inside your body, and all skin conditions, from psoriasis to acne to aging, are manifestations of your body’s internal needs, including nutritional needs.” When an organ, body system, or hormones are unbalanced, inflammation often results. This inflammation can present itself as different skin conditions, including acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, other irritations, and premature aging. The bottom line is that good skin health starts with good nutrition.

First and foremost, it is vital to eat a diverse, whole food diet, high in vegetables to promote healthy skin and overall body health. Did you know that there is another way to get vitamins and antioxidants? You can actually feed your skin from the inside and out! Fat-soluble vitamins are readily absorbed through the skin. Minerals that are carried in oil, can also be absorbed. Your skin is a porous organ, and therefore absorbs much of what you put on it. In other words, what you put on your skin ends up in your body.

It is important to pay close attention to what is in your skin care products. If the products you use contain harmful ingredients, such as chemicals, colorings, and fragrances, these ingredients make their way into your body, into your blood and lymphatic system. Unfortunately, many mainstream skincare products contain a cocktail of carcinogenic chemicals, allergens, and irritants that are best avoided. Choosing to use only natural and organic skincare products will nourish your skin, from the outside in.

Edye’s Naturals skin-care products were all made with the sensitivity and nutritional needs of your skin in mind. Each product is specifically formulated to include a vast array of nutrients and antioxidants to heal and enhance your skin. All of Edye’s Naturals products are plant-oil based, which lends to absorption of nutrients. A combination of plant oils is used in each product to provide diverse nutrients.

Let’s take a look at some vitamins that science shows support skin health:

• Vitamin C: Perhaps one of the most important findings is that Vitamin C protects your skin from excess sun exposure. This is because it helps to reduce the damage caused by free-radicals. Free-radicals are also a product of chemical exposure and environmental pollution. Free-radicals damage collagen and elastin, which are the fibers that support skin structure, and therefore cause wrinkles and other signs of aging. Two oils that Edye’s Naturals uses, which contain significant levels of Vitamin C, include organic sunflower oil and organic grapeseed oil.

• Vitamin E: This vitamin also protects your skin from sun damage. Vitamin E can help reduce wrinkles and create a smoother skin appearance. Edye’s Naturals uses various organic oils containing vitamin E, including almond oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, apricot kernel oil, extra-virgin olive oil, rice bran oil, and coconut oil.

• Vitamin A: Vitamin A is important when it comes to the maintenance and repair of skin tissues. Studies show that topical application of vitamin A can reduce wrinkles, help control acne, and help relieve psoriasis. Edye’s Naturals uses various organic oils containing vitamin A, including almond oil, apricot kernel oil, extra-virgin olive oil, sunflower oil, and avocado oil.

• Vitamin D: Vitamin D, also known as the “sunshine vitamin” is synthesized in the skin from sun exposure. Further topical application of vitamin D has also been shown to improve skin health (particularly when vitamin D levels are lower in winter months). Vitamin D has been shown to contribute to skin cell growth, repair, and metabolism. It also helps to protect against free radicals that can cause premature aging. Edye’s Naturals uses several organic oils containing vitamin D, including grapeseed oil, avocado oil, and organic almond oil.

• B-Vitamins: Studies show that the B-vitamins help to promote new skin growth, and protect against skin damage. Edye’s Naturals uses various organic oils containing B-vitamins, including avocado oil, rice bran oil, apricot-kernel oil, jojoba oil, and lemongrass oil.

For more information, check-out Edye’s Naturals website, where you can find a break-down of ingredients for each product, including information about why vitamins and minerals are beneficial.

Remember, what you put on your skin goes in your body. Eat a healthy diet and be mindful of feeding your skin from the outside in.