Vitamin A has many effects on the body, especially important for maintaining beautiful skin. So what effects does vitamin A have on facial skin? Find out in the article below!
What is Vitamin A?
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is stored in tissues for the body to use gradually. Vitamin A is found in many foods. In plants, vitamin A exists in the form of carotene (a precursor of vitamin A), while in animals, vitamin A exists in the form of retinol and retinyl ester.
1 The role of vitamin A in health
Vitamin A helps strengthen the immune system
Vitamin A is an important nutrient for the body. Here are some of the roles of vitamin A in human health:
- Vitamin A is essential for vision and eye health.
- Stimulates the production of new skin cells.
- Vitamins help treat acne.
- Strengthen the immune system, protecting the body from harmful factors.
- Maintain normal functioning of important organs (heart, lungs, kidneys).
2 Benefits of Vitamin A for Skin
Slows down the aging process of the skin
Retinol (a form of vitamin A) stimulates collagen production, thereby improving wrinkles and preventing sagging skin. In addition, carotenoids (precursors of vitamin A) have antioxidant properties, helping the body fight free radicals that damage your skin.
Protect your skin from the harmful effects of sunlight
A diet rich in vitamin A helps protect your skin from the harmful effects of sunlight. Vitamin A makes your skin less sensitive to UVA and UVB rays, but you should also use sunscreen every day to ensure optimal sun protection.
Promotes healthy cell regeneration
Vitamin A has the ability to stimulate the production of new skin cells, reducing dry and cracked skin. Therefore, vitamin A is often used in skin care products with the effect of regenerating and restoring skin cells.
Brightens and evens out skin tone
Melanin is the main cause of freckles, brown spots and uneven skin tone. Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) have the ability to block the enzyme that synthesizes melanin, thereby helping you to have a bright, smooth and even skin tone.
Acne Treatment Aids
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), retinol, a topical form of vitamin A, can help treat and prevent inflammatory acne lesions. In addition, retinol also exfoliates and reduces sebum production to help prevent pimples.
Psoriasis Treatment Support
Oral and topical medications containing vitamin A have shown significant effects in treating psoriasis. Topical retinoids help reduce inflammation and also relieve the symptoms of psoriasis. In particular, acitretin is a vitamin A derivative used to treat severe psoriasis.
3 Where to get vitamin A for the skin?
Foods rich in vitamin A
Supplementing vitamin A through food is the safest and most convenient way. Here are some foods rich in vitamin A:
- Foods of animal origin: animal liver, bluefin tuna, salmon, milk, butter, cheese,…
- Foods of plant origin: tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, kale, ripe mango,…
Medicines, functional foods containing vitamin A
Medicines:
- Vitamin A 5000IU helps improve skin diseases such as ulcers, acne and psoriasis. Note: when using high doses of vitamin A for a long time (≥ 10,000IU/day or 25,000IU/week) can cause loss of appetite, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, …
- Isotretinoin 10 – 20mg is indicated for the treatment of systemic acne, used in cases of severe acne, acne that does not respond to conventional treatments. Note: in the early stages of treatment with isotretinoin, acne may appear a little more and be transient.
These are medicinal products, so you should not use them on your own but need to consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Functional foods:
- Sometimes, the daily food intake cannot provide enough vitamins that the body needs. At this time, you need to use functional foods that specifically supplement vitamin A, some products contain active ingredients such as multivitamins, beta carotene, retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate.
Topical Vitamin A
- The skin easily absorbs vitamin A when applied topically. You can use creams, lotions and gels containing vitamin A-derived ingredients to reduce keratinization of skin cells, reduce clogged pores and treat acne.
Hopefully this article has provided you with useful information about the benefits of vitamin A for your skin. Use vitamin A appropriately to reap the wonderful benefits it brings.
