When moisturizers seem to be ineffective on dry skin, the underlying problem may be the lack of a certain vitamin.
Dry skin doesn’t only cause roughness or flaking of the skin. Redness, itchiness, tightness, a burning sensation and even low sebum production (sebum compensates for the lack of moisture) are other characteristics of dry skin.
External treatment solutions are everywhere. Doctors recommend them, you read about them in magazines and on the internet, they appear in TV commercials and are offered to you by friends who struggle with the same problem. But everyone is different, and so is everyone’s skin. This is the reason why, as you probably know, the products you use should be recommended by a specialist after a face-to-face consultation.
However, there may be a hidden culprit for dry skin, regardless of your skin type, especially if you’ve tried time and time again to get the best moisturizing products without any significant results.
The link between Vitamin D deficiency and dry skin
Vitamin D is an essential micronutrient with positive effects for the bone and muscle system, strengthens the nervous system and the immune system, reduces the risk of chronic diseases; besides, it maintains the health of the teeth, and ensures optimal calcium and phosphorus levels and an optimal blood pH.
Furthermore, a recent study shows a relationship between vitamin D and dry skin: researchers found that study participants with low vitamin D levels also had average and even low skin moisture levels.
In terms of exactly how the vitamin influences skin health, it is known that vitamin D has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help protect skin cells. Vitamin D deficiency leads to dry skin and acne, and in severe cases may also lead to conditions such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis.
Vitamin D testing
Vitamin D levels in the blood can be assessed by blood tests. The normal value for vitamin D3 in the body is, irrespective of age and gender, between 20-100 ng/mL. Any value outside these limits warns of a problem and should be treated following a medical consultation.
The recommended daily dose of vitamin D3 for adults is 400-800 IU (international units), equivalent to 10-20 micrograms. For people who do not get any sun exposure, the daily dose needed may be higher, so medical advice is recommended.