🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Everyone desires smooth, soft, elastic skin. However, some people’s skin does not meet expectations, appearing rough and lacking luster. Causes include genetic factors and diseases, but more importantly, postnatal nutrition and skincare.
Vitamins are essential nutrients for maintaining normal bodily functions. They are low-molecular organic compounds closely related to metabolism and serve as key components in enzymes regulating metabolic processes. Although required in minute amounts, their impact is significant. Deficiency leads to metabolic disorders, resulting in impaired skin function.
Vitamins are divided into fat-soluble (e.g., vitamins A, D, E, K) and water-soluble (e.g., B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin P/folic acid). Each type plays unique roles in skin care.
Vitamin A: Maintains skin cell function, keeps skin soft and delicate, and prevents/reduces wrinkles. Deficiency causes reduced epithelial cell function, decreased skin elasticity, dryness, roughness, and loss of luster. Foods rich in vitamin A include animal liver, cream, butter, carrots, sweet potatoes, leafy greens, chestnuts, and tomatoes.
B-complex Vitamins: Vitamin B1 promotes gastrointestinal function, stimulates appetite, aids digestion, relieves fatigue, prevents obesity, moisturizes skin, and prevents skin aging. Found in lean meat, peanuts, celery, cauliflower, mushrooms, whole grains, onions, garlic, and leeks. Vitamin B2 maintains skin beauty, lightens wrinkles, removes skin spots, and prevents peripheral neuritis. Deficiency causes rough skin, wrinkle formation, seborrheic dermatitis, angular cheilitis, lip inflammation, acne, premature graying, vitiligo, and alopecia. Rich sources include duck eggs, quail eggs, cheese, beef liver, mackerel liver, eel, salted meat, non-fat milk, and loaches—consume regularly. Vitamin B6 promotes fat metabolism and moisturizes skin. Vitamin B12 promotes skin metabolism and improves circulation, earning it the nickname "beauty vitamin." Sources include animal organs, fish, oysters, fermented tofu, and soybean paste.
Vitamin C: Breaks down melanin in skin, prevents pigment deposition, inhibits melasma and freckles, keeps skin fair and delicate, promotes wound healing, strengthens blood vessels and bones. Therefore, consume foods rich in vitamin C: hawthorn, fresh jujubes, lemons, oranges, kiwifruit, mango, grapefruit, strawberries, tomatoes, snow cabbage, Chinese cabbage, bitter melon, cauliflower, etc.
These foods satisfy vitamin C needs while providing abundant water—ideal for skin hydration. Fresh vegetables and fruits are also excellent sources, helping regulate blood circulation, promote metabolism, protect skin cells, and maintain skin elasticity.
Vitamin D: Promotes skin metabolism, enhances resistance to eczema and skin sores, and supports bone growth and tooth development. Supplementing vitamin D inhibits skin erythema, treats psoriasis, alopecia, and skin tuberculosis. Deficiency increases risk of skin ulceration. While obtained from food, most vitamin D is synthesized via UV exposure on skin. Simplest supplementation is fish liver oil. However, since fish liver oil contains both A and D, excessive intake may cause toxicity. Best taken under medical supervision. Food sources include liver of various marine fish (cod, flounder, salmon, sardines), terrestrial animal liver, eggs, and dairy products.
Vitamin E: Its role in skin care is indispensable. Oxidation of sebum is a primary cause of skin aging. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, protecting sebum, cell membrane proteins, and skin moisture. It promotes cell regeneration, delays aging, enhances utilization of vitamin A, synergizes with vitamin C to protect skin health, reduces infection risk, moisturizes collagen and elastin fibers, improves and maintains skin elasticity, promotes blood circulation in skin, ensures adequate nutrition and moisture, preserves softness and luster, inhibits formation of pigmentation and age spots, reduces facial wrinkles, whitens skin, and prevents acne. Thus, to maintain skin health and delay aging, consume more vitamin E-rich foods: pea oil, sunflower seeds, sesame oil, egg yolks, walnuts, sunflower seeds, peanuts, sesame, lettuce leaves, citrus peels, lean meat, dairy products, etc.
In summary, daily adequate intake of vitamins is highly beneficial for overall health and skin beauty.<Beauty Enhancement>