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Vitamins for Reducing Facial Wrinkles
The natural aging process, stress, too much sun exposure and smoking are the main culprits that promote facial wrinkles. According to the Mayo Clinic, to avoid facial wrinkles, you should avoiding the sun and smoke, eating healthily and manage your stress. Taking some vitamins, too, will help encourage a smooth, youthful glow.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E has a long-standing reputation for treating skin damage internally and externally. According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin E protects the skin from ultraviolet light and prevents cell damage from free radicals. You can use a cream or lotion that contains vitamin E on your face daily. You may also get vitamin E capsules and take them as supplements or puncture them and spread the liquid topically on your face. Some food sources that are rich in vitamin E include:
- spinach
- sunflower seeds
- almonds
- corn oil
- hazelnuts
- wheat germ
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is crucial for manufacturing collagen which gives our skin elasticity. According to the Mayo Clinic, a diet rich in vitamin C promotes young-looking skin 1. Like vitamin E, vitamin C can be useful as a topical solution, dietary supplement or in food products. Foods that are rich in vitamin C are Brussels sprouts, grapefruit, oranges, pineapple and broccoli.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A supplements and food sources do not have the same effect as topical treatments. Retinol, an antioxidant and vitamin A compound, is widely used in over-the-counter (OTC) wrinkle creams 2. The vitamin A derivative tretinoin is more potent than Retinol. It has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat wrinkles. This is available by prescription only and should be avoided by pregnant women because of the increased risk of birth defects.
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a nutrient that is also an antioxidant. It fights free radical damage on skin caused by sun exposure, smoke and other environmental pollutants. It also prevents collagen damage, keeping the skin supple and elastic. Some studies have shown this nutrient to reduce fine wrinkles around the eyes. CoQ10 is primarily offered in capsule form as a supplement. It is also found in flax seed oil, mackerel and red meat products. It is particularly plentiful in organ meats, such as the liver and heart, according to the Cholesterol and Health website.
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