Vitamins for beauty: Beauty boost from within

Vitamine für die Schönheit: Beauty-Boost von innen

The skin is said to be the mirror of the soul. The largest organ in the human body reveals quite a lot about our inner (and outer) state: When we're nervous, we sweat; when we're excited, we blush, etc.¹

We interact with our environment through our "skin"—it's the interface, so to speak, through which others perceive us. It's no surprise, then, that firm, well-cared-for skin is considered the epitome of beauty. But how can this goal be achieved?

A healthy lifestyle is crucial for clear skin, as well as shiny hair and strong nails. A balanced diet with a good supply of nutrients forms the foundation for healthy skin, hair, and nails.²

Certain nutrients can help you maintain your attractive appearance. Read below to find out which vitamins and minerals you should pay attention to to promote beauty from within.

1. What is vitamin A (retinol) and what are its functions?

Vitamin A, also called retinol, is a fat-soluble vitamin found exclusively in animal foods such as liver, sea fish, eggs, milk and dairy products.

Vegetarians and vegans, however, needn't worry: many fruits and vegetables contain beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. The body can convert this substance, also known as provitamin A, into vitamin A.

Vitamin A performs numerous functions in our body, including beauty. For example, retinol is important for healthy bones and teeth. It also promotes skin regeneration by producing new cells.

Vitamin A also has antioxidant properties, protecting against free radicals and thus against premature skin aging and the formation of wrinkles.³ In cosmetics, vitamin A is used to smooth wrinkles and relieve acne.⁴

Geschmeidige Haut Bild
2. Vitamin B

2.1 Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)

Riboflavin, or vitamin B2, is involved in numerous metabolic processes and has also earned a reputation as a "skin vitamin." This essential nutrient is found in animal products such as offal, cheese, and fish, as well as in plant-based foods such as whole grains.⁵

Riboflavin plays an important role in normal cell function and thus in your beauty. A deficiency is primarily noticeable through pathological changes in the skin and mucous membranes, such as cracks in the skin at the corners of the mouth.⁶

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2.2 Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, helps renew skin. This is a collective term that encompasses nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, and their compounds.

As niacinamide, vitamin B3 is found in numerous creams and serums used, for example, as anti-aging agents or to treat blemished skin. Products containing niacinamide are also available for dry skin problems and to reduce dark spots.⁷

In fact, niacin is found in every living cell in your body. The substance has antioxidant properties and contributes to skin renewal and regeneration.

A deficiency can manifest itself as inflammation of the skin, characterized by dark discoloration and a scaly rash.⁸ Fish, offal, whole-grain bread, and coffee are good sources of niacin.

Haare Vitamine Bild

2.3. Vitamin B7 & Vitamin H (Biotin): Definition & Function for Hair

Biotin is one of the water-soluble B vitamins and is sometimes called vitamin B7 or vitamin H. It is famous for strengthening skin and hair – for example, by promoting the growth of sebaceous glands. Biotin can thus prevent hair from becoming brittle, skin from becoming dry, and nails from becoming brittle.⁹

Biotin is found in many foods, including vegetables such as green beans and avocados, walnuts, and whole-grain oats. Biotin supplements are also available and may be advertised with the claims "Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin" and "Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair."¹⁰

A biotin deficiency manifests itself, for example, in the form of dry, flaky skin and hair loss.¹¹

3. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): definition & functions

Vitamin C is vital for your body. You get it from various foods such as citrus fruits, peppers, and broccoli.

Vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant in the body, neutralizing free radicals and thus protecting against cell damage.¹² Vitamin C also supports collagen production and thus the beauty of your skin: Collagen, a so-called structural protein, is the main component of connective tissue. By ensuring that more collagen is produced and collagen is broken down more slowly, vitamin C improves the surface structure of the skin, making it firmer and more elastic.¹³

4. Vitamin D (Calciferol): Definition & Function

Vitamin D is also known as the "sunshine vitamin" because your body can produce it with the help of UV radiation. It is also found in our food, for example, in fatty fish, egg yolks, and some mushrooms. The substance is involved in various processes in the body and acts similarly to a hormone.

This means that vitamin D can regulate the body's hormone production and relieve skin inflammation. Vitamin D can therefore be helpful in various skin diseases such as acne, atopic dermatitis, or psoriasis.¹⁴

Vitamin D Sonne Bild

5. Vitamin E (Tocopherol)

A classic when it comes to beautiful skin is vitamin E. It is found in numerous creams and ointments used to treat dry, damaged skin.

And there's good reason for this: Vitamin E can penetrate the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of skin, and strengthen the skin's natural barrier. This allows it to retain more moisture, thereby smoothing out fine wrinkles.¹⁵

This micronutrient also protects the skin and makes it more resilient. Good sources of vitamin E for beauty from within include nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, green leafy vegetables, and chickpeas.

Silicon (silica)

Silicon is a trace element, meaning it occurs only in very small amounts in the human body. It is found primarily in hair, skin, nails, and tooth enamel.¹⁶

However, the exact functions it performs there are still not entirely clear. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) currently classifies silicon as a non-essential nutrient, meaning it does not need to be ingested through food.¹⁷

Nevertheless, there are initial indications that the trace element could have an impact on your beauty. A pilot study at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf showed that daily intake of silicon, also known as silicic acid, improves hair quality. After a six-month trial period, the hair thickness of the subjects had increased by an average of 13 percent.¹⁸

Selenium: The trace element for skin, hair & nails

The vital trace element selenium is found in animal foods such as meat, fish and eggs, and in smaller quantities in plant foods such as cabbage and onion vegetables.

Selenium plays an important role in the fight against free radicals and thus in protecting the body from cell damage. A selenium deficiency can manifest itself in skin rashes, patchy nails, and hair loss.¹⁹

Zinc: The trace element for your beauty

From wound healing to immune response to cell growth: the vital trace element zinc is involved in numerous processes in your body and also influences your beauty.

When applied to the skin as a paste or cream, the substance has a drying effect and is therefore often used to combat blemishes, pimples, and acne.²⁰

Zinc also affects your health and beauty from within. This is especially noticeable when your body doesn't get enough of it: flaky skin, skin inflammation, and hair loss can all result from a zinc deficiency.

A balanced diet ensures optimal supply: zinc is found in meat, eggs, dairy products, legumes and nuts, for example.

Omega-3 fatty acids for your complexion

Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids, sometimes simply called "healthy fats." They are found in certain fish, nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils, for example.

They play an important role in the health and beauty of your hair: Omega-3 fatty acids improve blood circulation in the scalp and create a healthy environment for hair growth by protecting the follicles.²¹

In addition, there appears to be a connection between acne and a deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids, as a study at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich showed.²² A good supply of healthy oils and fats can therefore also contribute to a clear complexion.

Haut Haende Bild

Collagen the protein for your skin

As a structural protein, collagen provides support for your skin, as well as your joints and connective tissue. The body can produce it itself, but its production declines with age—with the well-known consequences: skin becomes wrinkled and sagging.

Orally ingested collagen, for example in the form of dietary supplements, is said to help offset this decline and improve skin elasticity. This is at least suggested by initial small studies, but definitive scientific evidence is still pending.²³

Good to know: If you want to meet your collagen needs through food, you must consume animal products such as beef, fish, or gelatin – plant-based products do not contain collagen.

However, there are plant-based foods that contain the amino acids glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, from which the body can produce collagen. These include whole grain products, nuts, and legumes.

Vitamins & Beauty: What's the Truth?

Beauty truly comes from within: If your body is optimally supplied with vitamins, trace elements and other nutrients, you create the best conditions for firm skin, full hair and strong nails.

A nutrient deficiency, on the other hand, can lead to cosmetic and health problems such as impure skin, inflammation, rashes, and hair loss. If in doubt, a blood test at your doctor can determine whether you are lacking certain nutrients.

Do you want to support your health and do something for your beauty at the same time? At NEOaging, you'll find premium longevity supplements that easily optimize your beauty routine. Our Beauty Complex, for example, provides you with valuable B vitamins, zinc, and silicon – for healthy skin, hair, and nails.

Or you can choose our Collagen Complex, which contains fish collagen, silicon, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C as well as high-quality pomegranate extract.

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