Best Minerals for Your Skin

Almond oil

Just like vitamins, minerals too are important for healthy, beautiful and youthful skin. One of the best ways to achieve it is to eat a well-balanced diet that contains fresh fruits and vegetables, good amounts of protein, plenty of water and essential fatty acids. It is also important to exercise and meditate regularly as they reduce stress and improve blood circulation in the body.

Being deficient in one of the essential minerals might make your skin look dull and tired. Mentioned below are the top minerals that must be present in your body in the right quantities.

  • Zinc – Zinc is quite essential for people suffering from acne as it controls oil-production in the skin and works on those hormones that cause acne in the first place. Its antioxidant properties help to protect the skin and muscles against premature aging. The right amounts of zinc help heal skin injuries and boost the immune system.
  • Magnesium – Magnesium is essential for the skin, teeth, bones, hair and muscles and keeps the nervous system running smoothly. Your skin starts to age rapidly if you suffer from magnesium deficiency as the elasticity of the skin is no longer retained.
  • Selenium – Selenium is a mineral that is also a strong antioxidant. It maintains the flexibility and elasticity of the skin and protects the skin from the sun’s UV rays.
  • Calcium – As we all know, calcium is essential for healthy bones and teeth but is also important for the skin. The skin becomes thin and the nails brittle when suffering from calcium deficiency.
  • Copper – The production of elastin and collagen is promoted by copper that makes the skin strong and elastic. It enhances the function of antioxidants and prevents oxidative damage on the skin. If your body has all the essential vitamins, zinc and copper the creation of elastin becomes easier and the skin remains flexible for many years to come.
  • Silica – Silica helps to strengthen the body’s connective tissues such as tendons, hair, ligaments, muscles, cartilage, bones, and nails. It also plays a vital role in maintaining young and healthy skin. The skin loses its elasticity if you are deficient in this mineral and gives way to slow healing of wounds and premature aging.
  • Potassium – Potassium and Sodium regulate the amount of water in the cells of your body. This is why potassium deficiency leads to dry and rough skin. It helps cells to function normally by holding an electric charge as potassium is an electrolyte.

Best Vitamins for Your Skin

Woman holding citrus fruits.

No matter how many fruits, vegetables and multi-vitamin tablets you consume daily, if your skin care products do not contain vitamins in it, you are surely missing out on a vital part of skin care. Vitamins can do your skin a world of good with anti-aging benefits being the most important of them all. Let us understand which vitamins work wonders for the skin:

• Vitamin A – Vitamin A is generally found in skin night creams and lotions. It has been seen to reduce wrinkles on the face, make the skin smooth and also helps brown spots to fade. Vitamin A derivatives are commonly known as retinoids that make the skin look softer and smoother than before. Applying Vitamin A infused products at night is recommended as sunlight has the power to inactivate forms of Vitamin A.

• Vitamin B3 – This vitamin is commonly found in serums and creams. It is known as niacinamide on the product’s label. Vitamin B3 has been proven to increase the production of fatty acids and ceramides that are the two essential components in a skin forming its outer protective barrier. With a strong barrier, the moisture remains locked inside, and the irritants are unable to enter within. It is great for women with sensitive or dry skin. B3 Vitamins are best applied in the morning and evening.

• Vitamin C – Being known as the best anti-aging vitamin, Vitamin C s commonly found in moisturizers and facial cleansers as well. It helps to get rid of the free radicals in the skin that lead to wrinkles, sagged skin and rapidly aging changes if not taken care of. It also makes the skin smooth and firm and fades all types of spots on the skin. Vitamin C is best applied in the morning right before putting on sunscreen to protect skin from free radicals generated by the sun’s UV rays.

• Vitamin E – Vitamin E is commonly found in after-sun products and sunscreens. It is known for helping the skin retain its natural moisture by getting rid of the dryness and also neutralizing those free radicals that can damage the skin immensely. It is essential to apply Vitamin E infused products both before and after sun exposure.

• Vitamin K – It is commonly found in eye creams as it helps to lighten dark circles with ease. Dark circles are the cause of leaked blood capillaries, and this vitamin helps to stop the leakage by taking care of the clots of blood present. Such products work best when applied at night just before hitting the bed.