Vitamin A
The protective and nourishing properties of vitamin A are essential for healthy skin. Vitamin A not only promotes skin health and healthy skin cell production, it keeps the skin firm and radiant. Other important attributes of Vitamin A for the skin include: protection against sun damage, slows signs of aging, assists in treating acne, and it works as an antioxidant to protect against illness by blocking damaging free radicals. Needless to say, making sure you are ingesting enough of this super-nutrient is vital.
So, what are the best ways to get your Vitamin A?
For the most part, people don’t have a hard time consuming Vitamin A, especially if you are plant-based. This is due to the fact that bright red, orange and green fruits and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots, kale, butternut squash and cantaloupe are filled with beta-carotene, which your body will use to make Vitamin A. You should aim for 0.6-0.7mg of Vitamin A daily. This could be a medium sweet potato, a serving of carrots, 2 large slices of cantaloupe or a cereal bowl of fresh spinach.
Also called retinoids and sold over-the-counter or as a prescription (Retin-A), Vitamin A can be used as a topical cream to treat acne and target fine lines. However, you should talk to your doctor about topical retinoids if you feel you aren’t getting enough Vitamin A from your diet.
The takeaway for healthy skin:
- Ingest 0.6-0.7mg of Vitamin A daily
- Eat bright red, orange and green fruits and vegetables full of beta-carotene which your body will convert to Vitamin A.
- Talk to your doctor about topical retinoids if you don’t feel you are getting enough Vitamin A from your diet
Your skin will thank you!