Put your skin on a vitamin-rich diet

Vitamin A-rich foods promote healthier skin and benefits for eyes and teeth. Vitamin A is also needed for repairing and maintaining healthy skin, including healing and constructing new skin tissue. It also protects against wrinkling.

Antioxidants, primarily vitamins E and C, can help to protect skin cells from the ravages of free radicals, a harmful byproduct of sunlight. Antioxidants are also important in the formation of a protein known as collagen, along with elastin, which helps strengthen and reduce skin aging.

B vitamins, including biotin, help to ensure healthy development of skin cells, and fight stress and aging. Vitamin B6 may also help to control acne, particularly for women who experience flare-ups before and during menstrual periods.

And then there are the essential fatty acids or "omegas," whose effectiveness against various inflammations is just beginning to be fully understood. For skin irritations, omega-6--found in evening primrose oil or borage seed oil--may be beneficial. These oils have been shown to reduce and sometimes eliminate inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis. As well, omega-6 oils in the diet can be fantastic moisturizers for people who suffer from dry and itchy skin, keeping cell walls supple.