Supplements are a great way to get closer to your nutritional goals and help prevent nutrient malabsorption. Certain medical conditions, like lactose intolerance or cystic fibrosis, can make it difficult for your body to absorb essential vitamins and minerals, so that supplements can be very beneficial; check out Dermal Repair Complex reviews. However, not all supplements are created equal.

Collagen

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and a major constituent of connective tissue, which makes up our skin, bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Its fiber-like structure and ability to withstand stretching make it the ideal matrix for tissues that must be strong yet flexible to resist strain.

Collagens are a scaffold for cell adhesion and migration in wound healing, promoting granulation tissue formation, angiogenesis, and epithelialization. They also regulate the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes in the extracellular space and influence vascularization.

Your body naturally produces collagen, so it’s important to eat enough foods rich in amino acids to help the process. These include chicken, fish, red meat (like pot roast, chuck steak, and brisket), dairy, leafy vegetables, and nuts. Supplements like collagen powder or capsules containing collagen peptides may also help. However, when choosing a product, consider what other ingredients it contains. For instance, a supplement containing vitamin C—a necessary component for collagen synthesis—might work better than one that doesn’t.

Vitamin D

Called the “sunshine vitamin,” vitamin D is produced by the skin when exposed to sunlight and is found naturally in some foods, including egg yolks, fish liver oils, and certain fortified dairy and grain products. Because the pigment melanin functions as a natural sunscreen by absorbing some UV energy that would otherwise be utilized to synthesize vitamin D, people with darker skin produce less from sun exposure.

Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem in children and adults. Severe vitamin D deficiency causes rickets, in which the growing bone fails to mineralize properly, resulting in soft bones, short stature, and delayed growth and development.

Older individuals are more susceptible to vitamin D deficiency because the skin’s capacity to produce vitamin D diminishes with age. Those with conditions like cystic fibrosis, Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease, which impede the absorption of fat, and those who avoid sunshine or wear clothing that covers the skin, have difficulty getting enough vitamin D.

Vitamin E

Being a fat-soluble antioxidant, vitamin E effectively scavenges free radicals. Usually, sebum carries it to the skin. Alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocotrienol complex molecules may be found in various foods and dietary supplements.

By preventing atherosclerosis, reducing blood clot formation, and blocking the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, oral supplementary vitamin E may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. It also improves the skin’s ability to absorb other vitamins.

The vitamin has been used to treat or prevent macular degeneration, nerve-muscle disorders (ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease), heart disease, high blood pressure, inflammatory bowel diseases, cancer, diabetes, dermatitis, eye conditions, pre-eclampsia, and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. It may also help with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia. However, research needs to be more conclusive. It can be toxic to some organisms and cause allergic contact dermatitis.

Vitamin C

While vitamin C is best known for helping enhance immune health and shortening how long a cold lasts, it can also protect the skin. It works partly by stimulating collagen production, promoting fresh cells to grow, and giving the skin structure and elasticity. It also inhibits the enzyme tyrosinase that creates the pigment melanin, preventing hyperpigmentation (dark spots) caused by excess sun exposure.

Research has shown vitamin C decreases natural aging, reduces smoking-related skin aging, and improves the appearance of scars. It has also been shown to increase the proliferation of dermal fibroblasts, which is critical in effective wound healing.

When choosing a serum to incorporate into your routine, ensure it contains the active form of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and has a pH lower than 3.5, as this has been proven to work in studies. Look for one that contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid to give the skin extra moisture without clogging pores.