Everyone desires a clear, smooth, youthful complexion. Supple, glowing skin is not only a key to maintaining an overall attractive appearance but also a reflection of good inner health. There are a number of factors that contribute to unhealthy skin including poor diet, lack of healthy blood flow and inadequate cleansing.

Vitamins and Healthy Skin

Consuming adequate amounts of certain vitamins and nutrients through a combination of a healthy diet and supplements can result in improvement in the appearance and overall health of the skin, the body's largest organ. B vitamins are especially crucial for maintaining healthy skin:
• Vitamin B1 aids skin health by helping to keep the circulation normal.
• Vitamin B2 or riboflavin deficiency can result in liver spots. Severe riboflavin deficiency can lead to oily skin and hair and small deposits of fat under the skin of the cheeks and forehead and behind the ears. More severe deficiency of riboflavin causes the skin under the nose and at the comers of the eyes and mouth to crack and become sore.
• Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine deficiency can result in dermatitis or eczema.
• Niacin deficiency can lead to an eczema type of skin eruption with brown pigmentation, largely on the face, forearms and legs.

Increasing fiber, water and essential fat intake and avoiding excess sugar also plays a pivotal role in skin health.

Anti-Aging Skincare

One of the most powerful signs of aging is dry, wrinkled skin. Carnosine is a popular supplement used to rejuvenate old, tired looking skin. It occurs naturally in the body but levels decrease with age so supplementing contributes to the ability of the compound to restore the youthful appearance of skin. There are also a number of creams, lotions and pills available that fight the physical signs of aging through a combination of anti-oxidants, vitamins, green tea extracts and other natural products.