Natural Skin Care

Diet plays an important role in maintaining the health of the skin. Those with skin problems must have a vital diet consisting of foods which in combination would supply all the nutrients needed to build health, namely, protein, carbohydrate, fats, essential fatty acids and all the essential vitamins and minerals. Such a diet should consist of liberal quantities of seeds, nuts and grains, vegetables and fruits, supplemented by special protective foods like milk, vegetable oil, curd, honey and yeast.

All the nutrients are essential for a healthy skin. Thus for instance, if your skin is unusually dry and rough, or if you have blackheads and whiteheads, you are probably lacking sufficient vitamin A. deficiencies in iron, iodine and the B vitamins may also contribute to this condition. Adequate amount of protein and vitamin C are also important. Both of these nutrients are needed before antibodies are produced to fight any infection and accelerate healing.

The vitamins of the B group are important in producing beautiful skin. Vitamin B1 aids skin health by helping to keep the circulation normal. A mild lack of vitamin B2 or riboflavin, continued over a long time, causes brown pigmentation, or liver spots to appear on the skin. These ugly spots usually disappear if generous amounts of vitamin B2 are given over a period of six months. A quickly produced severe riboflavin deficiency results in oily skin and hair and small deposits of fat under the skin of the cheeks and forehead and behind the ears. A still more severe deficiency causes the skin under the nose and at the corners of the eyes and mouth to crack and become sore.

A lack of vitamin B6 or pyridoxine leads to dermatitis or eczema. A lack of niacin also causes an eczema type of skin eruption with brown pigmentation, largely on the face, forearms, and legs. Lack of pantothenic acid, para-aminobenzonic acid, and biotin causes types of eczema which can be corrected, when these vitamins are generously added to the diet.

Since seven vitamins of the B group are directly related to the health of the skin, few foods can improve the skin as rapidly as those rich in these vitamins. Even the person whose skin seems smooth and healthy usually notices improvement in texture and glow, a week after adding two or more tablespoons of brewer’s yeast to the daily diet. Persons with eczema should, for an entire month, take a tablespoon of yeast stirred into citrus juice or water after each meal, between meals and before retiring. If the diet is adequate in all other respects, the eczema is usually cured in a month’s time.

In case of unhealthy and unattractive skin due to anemia, the condition can be corrected by dietetic treatment. Anemia results from lack of protein, iodine, calcium, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, cobalt, and copper as well as iron. In all anemias, particularly pernicious anemia, the vitamins of the B group should be generously supplied. Folic acid and vitamin B12 are especially important.