Top 7 Beauty Nutrients

1. Vitamin A
Vitamin A helps maintain skin development and health.
It’s a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals, which are responsible for premature aging.
Vitamin A also helps to reduce the production of sebum, which causes acne problems in some people.
A deficiency in vitamin A can lead to rough, dry skin and in extreme cases cracked skin, especially around the mouth.

2. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that also helps protect cells from free radicals.
It works along with vitamin A for numerous skin benefits. This vitamin combination is often found in facial creams and other skin care cosmetics.

3. Vitamin B Complex
B Complex consists of eight vitamins that are essential to cell reproduction.
B vitamins that are especially important to skin health are B1 (thiamine) and B3 (niacin) promote blood circulation throughout the body and help deliver nutrients to skin cells.
B2 (riboflavin) contributes to healthy growth of skin, hair and nails. A deficiency in this vitamin can lead to liver spots, oily skin and cracked skin around the mouth.
B5 (pantothenic acid) regulates hormone production and combats stress, which can lead to skin flare-ups. A deficiency B6 (pyridoxine) can lead to dry cracked skin, eczema and pigmentation problems such as liver spots.

4. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential compound of collagen, a protein found in the skin that gives it elasticity.

5. Beta-carotene
Beta-carotene protects against free radical damage and is converted to vitamin A in the body.

6. Silica
Silica (silicon dioxide) is a trace mineral found in the connective tissues (like the hair and skin) and is required in the body to keep nails, hair and skin in good health.
It is also needed by the body to make collagen.

7. Zinc
Zinc helps prevent inflammation and flare ups in the skin. It is needed in the body to help skin heal and also reduces the effects of scarring.

Source : multiculturalbeauty.about.com