It’s no secret that healthy skin starts from the inside. The nutrients that keep your skin youthful and glowing are found in several different vitamins. First and foremost, these come in the form of leafy greens and fruits, after all, you are what you eat. But let’s be honest here. Are you eating enough of the good? And if you are, you still may not be getting enough of the vitamins best for healthy skin!

Knowing exactly what vitamins give your skin health a major boost is the first step in a great skincare routine. Depending on your skin, certain vitamins may be more pertinent to you. To help you start this path of exploration, here are my favorite vitamins that are great for skin health.

Vitamin C

Around 90 percent of vitamin C in the average American diet is derived from fruits and vegetables. Peppers (sweet, green, red and hot) are especially rich in vitamin C. Other good sources include citrus fruits and juices, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, collards, mustard greens, broccoli, spinach, guava, kiwi fruit, currants and strawberries. Nuts and grains contain very little vitamin C, and it is important to note that cooking destroys vitamin C activity. Vitamin C supports the immune system, and acts as an antioxidant. In fact, ascorbic acid may be the most important water-soluble antioxidant in the body. Vitamin C promotes the normal synthesis of collagen, promotes minor healing and helps to maintain cholesterol levels.*

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is another antioxidant and makes the skin glow.
The most valuable sources of dietary vitamin E include vegetable oils, margarine, nuts, seeds, avocados and wheat germ. Safflower oil contains large amounts of vitamin E (about two thirds of the RDA in ¼ cup), and smaller amounts are found in corn oil and soybean oil. Vitamin E is actually a family of related compounds called tocopherols and tocotrienols. Vitamin E was discovered in the early 1930s. It is available in a natural or synthetic form. In most cases, the natural and synthetic form of vitamins and minerals are identical. However, the natural form of Vitamin E is superior, in terms of absorption and retention in the body.

The natural form of alpha-tocopherol, known as d-alpha tocopherol, is contained in Isotonix OPC-3 Beauty Blend. The synthetic form is the most common form found in dietary supplements. It is in the consumer’s best interest to choose a product, which has opted for the more powerful (and expensive) natural form. For those individuals watching their dietary fat consumption, which is relatively common in the world of dieting, vitamin E intake is likely to be low, due to a reduced intake of foods with a higher fat content.*

The health benefits of supplemental vitamin E are derived from its properties as an immune-boosting antioxidant. Vitamin E protects cell membranes from free radical damage. It is also helpful in promoting normal wound healing and is known to help maintain a healthy cardiovascular system. Vitamin E is one of the most powerful fat-soluble antioxidants in the body. High servings of vitamin E have been shown to promote normal platelet activity.*

Vitamin D

This amazing vitamin comes from the sun! If you’re not lucky enough to live in a place where the sun shines 24/7 and want to ensure you are getting enough vitamin D, you can take vitamin D supplements or eat fortified products.

Regular sunlight exposure is the main way that most humans obtain vitamin D. Food sources of vitamin D include vitamin D-fortified milk (100 IU per cup), cod liver oil, fatty fish (such as salmon) and small amounts are found in egg yolks and liver.*

Vitamin D promotes optimal blood sugar levels. Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and supports the production of several proteins involved in calcium absorption and storage. Vitamin D works with calcium to promote bone strength. It promotes the normal transport of calcium out of the osteoblasts into the extra-cellular fluid and in the kidneys. It promotes calcium and phosphate re-uptake by renal tubules. Vitamin D also promotes the absorption of dietary calcium and phosphate uptake by the intestinal epithelium. It supports the normal growth of skin cells, and it promotes the normal production of insulin.*

Red Wine Extract

Red wine extract is a powerful antioxidant. This extract is found in grape vines, roots, seeds and stalks, with the highest concentration in the skins. The antioxidant properties of red wine extract contribute to maintaining healthy circulation by strengthening capillaries, arteries and veins, and promoting overall cardiovascular health.*

In the late 1990s, scientists took note of a phenomenon among the French. There were very low rates of cardiovascular problems in the provinces where residents consistently ate high fat foods and drank red wine. Scientists concluded that the protective properties of red wine have helped the French maintain cardiovascular health for years and subsequent scientific studies have further shown that the OPCs found in red wine are particularly beneficial for protecting the heart and blood vessels.*

Biotin

Biotin is a part of the B-vitamin family. The B-vitamins are important co-factors, which promote the normal metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and protein. Natural food sources of biotin include egg yolk, peanuts, beef liver, milk (10 mcg/cup), cereals, almonds and Brewer’s yeast. Biotin operates as an important part of several enzymes, acting as a co-enzyme implicated in energy metabolism (such as pyruvate carboxylase). In the intestines, bacteria makes a negligible amount of biotin that may be assimilated and used by the body. The main roles of Biotin include promoting strong hair and nails, increasing energy levels, helping maintain normal cholesterol levels and promoting healthy blood sugar levels.*

Vitamin B5

Skincare formulas containing this vitamin provide great hydration for skin. Vitamin B5 just so happens to prevent water loss. If not in the topical form of a skincare product, you can also get plenty of B5 from whole grains, avocado and chicken.

Bilberry Extract

Bilberry extract is derived from the leaves and berry-like fruit of a common European shrub closely related to the blueberry. Extracts of the ripe berry are known to contain flavonoid pigments known as anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants. Scientific studies confirm that bilberry extract supports healthy vision and venous circulation. Bilberry extract helps maintain healthy circulation by strengthening capillaries, arteries and veins.*

Omega III

Omega-3 fatty acids — the “good fats” have recently been credited with increasing heart health as well as helping your skin look healthier. The foods highest in omega-3 fatty acids include seafood (especially tuna and salmon) as well as walnuts, canola oil, and flax seed.

Isotonix OPC-3 Beauty Blend

Isotonix OPC-3 Beauty Blend is formulated to promote skin elasticity, support healthy collagen production, replenish essential vitamins and minerals for the skin, and provide the skin and body with improved antioxidant defenses. This product helps maintain skin health at the cellular level, nourishing and rejuvenating skin cells with some of the finest antioxidants available today including grape seed extract, red wine extract, bilberry extract, citrus bioflavanoids and Pycnogenol®. They are powerful free-radical scavengers that not only work to keep the skin healthy and beautiful, but also provide free-radical-scavenging abilities which are beneficial in a world filled with smog, pollution and other various unseen toxins. These antioxidants are coupled with specific vitamins and minerals that are conducive to cell growth and division. Cell proliferation is important in maintaining healthy, vibrant skin.* 

Two of the most important factors when selecting a nutritional supplement are absorption and potency. The Isotonix delivery system, as found in Isotonix OPC-3 Beauty Blend, assures that the body will absorb the daily vitamins and minerals that it needs. Now you can drink your vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, in one healthy and nutritional formula each and every day, unlike a pill or capsule that is swallowed, and then must be broken down by the stomach’s acids in order to be delivered to the body. The Isotonix delivery system allows the vitamins and minerals to be absorbed more rapidly. Isotonix food supplements, when mixed with water, actually have the same pH and osmotic pressure as the body’s fluids such as tears, plasma and blood. In order for absorption of nutritional content to take place, all food must be converted into an isotonic state. The absorption process of a standard tablet could take up to three hours. This greatly limits the amount of nutrients absorbed by the body. However, our Isotonix OPC-3 Beauty Blend sets itself apart from other products on the market by providing you with the maximum absorption of nutrients, within the shortest amount of time. When an isotonic substance enters the body, it is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. 

Isotonix OPC-3 Beauty Blend is an isotonic-capable food supplement that is made from a combination of bilberry, grape seed, red wine, pine bark extracts and citrus extract bioflavonoids, all found to be powerful antioxidants. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are bioflavonoids (complex organic plant compounds) found in fruits, vegetables and certain tree barks that provide exceptional nutritional benefits to the human body. Studies have shown OPCs to be up to 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than vitamin E in neutralizing free radicals. Isotonix OPC-3 contains the only isotonic form of Pycnogenol in the world. Pycnogenol is a natural plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, and the most clinically-researched and powerful bioflavonoid.* 

Isotonic, which means “same pressure,” bears the same chemical resemblance of the body’s blood, plasma and tears. All fluids in the body have a certain concentration, referred to as osmotic pressure. The body’s common osmotic pressure, which is isotonic, allows a consistent maintenance of body tissues. In order for a substance to be absorbed and used in the body’s metabolism, it must be transported in an isotonic state. 

Isotonix dietary supplements are delivered in an isotonic solution. This means that the body has less work to do to in obtaining maximum absorption. The isotonic state of the suspension allows nutrients to pass directly into the small intestine and be rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. With Isotonix products, little nutritive value is lost, making the absorption of nutrients highly efficient while delivering maximum results.* 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product(s) is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.