From the Research
Vitamin deficiencies can significantly impact skin health, manifesting in various dermatological conditions, and the most common vitamin deficiencies affecting the skin include vitamins A, B complex, C, D, and E, with treatment involving supplementation and addressing the underlying cause. The most common vitamin deficiencies affecting the skin include:
- Vitamins A, B complex (particularly B2, B3, B6, and B12), C, D, and E
- Vitamin A deficiency can cause follicular hyperkeratosis, dry skin, and poor wound healing; treatment involves supplementation with 10,000-25,000 IU daily for 1-2 months, then maintenance doses of 10,000 IU daily 1
- B vitamin deficiencies present as angular cheilitis, glossitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and pellagra; treatment requires specific B vitamin supplements like niacin (B3) 100-500 mg daily for pellagra or riboflavin (B2) 5-10 mg daily for angular cheilitis 2
- Vitamin C deficiency leads to scurvy with perifollicular hemorrhages and corkscrew hairs; treatment is 1,000 mg daily for one week, then 500 mg daily until symptoms resolve, as seen in a case report where a patient's symptoms improved rapidly after vitamin C supplementation 3
- Vitamin D deficiency can exacerbate psoriasis and atopic dermatitis; supplementation with 1,000-2,000 IU daily is recommended, and maintaining a vitamin D serum concentration within normal levels is warranted in patients with photosensitive disorders 4
- Vitamin E deficiency may cause dry skin and poor wound healing; supplementation with 400-800 IU daily can help These deficiencies often result from malnutrition, malabsorption disorders, or restrictive diets, and addressing the underlying cause while providing appropriate supplementation is crucial for effective management, as highlighted in a review of the complex relationship between vitamin D and the skin 5 Regular monitoring of vitamin levels during supplementation is important to prevent toxicity, especially with fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E.