Vitamins to Help Fade Redness in Face
Facial redness can cause shyness or embarrassment, since it's hard to hide. Chronic facial redness may become even more socially debilitating. Although there are many reasons for long-term redness of the face, ranging from sun damage to skin conditions, such as rosacea, it is not always easy to pinpoint exactly what is causing facial redness. Certain vitamins and other nutrients may help fight inflammation, which is often a part of skin reddening. See a doctor or dermatologist to determine the best course of action for your skin.
Leafy greens in a salad strainer (Image: talevr/iStock/Getty Images)Vitamin K
Vitamin K, found in high quantities in leafy green vegetables, scallions, broccoli and cabbage, can help to fade redness in the skin. Audrey Kunin notes in the book, "The DERMAdoctor Skinstruction Manual," that vitamin K often helps both reduce redness in the face and also targets spider veins. You can use this vitamin topically; it is often found in skin care products targeted at reducing facial redness.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is one of the most anti-inflammatory vitamins and, therefore, may help with reducing redness in the face. According to Dr. Howard Murad in his book, "Wrinkle-Free Forever," vitamin E's antioxidant power reduces free radical damage, which can cause redness in the skin. Whether redness in your face is due to sun exposure or aging, vitamin E fights the free radicals that are a part of both these processes. Almonds, avocado and vegetable oils are all high in vitamin E.
B Vitamins
If rosacea is the reason your skin is red, then B vitamins may help reduce and fade the redness. In the book, "The Canadian Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine," pharmacist Sherry Torkos notes that both B-vitamins and zinc deficiencies are sometimes linked to rosacea. Rather than take a B vitamin complex on its own, it may be more beneficial to take a quality multivitamin/mineral supplement that contains both B vitamins and zinc, notes Torkos. Foods high in B vitamins include bananas, eggs, lentils and turkey.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A may also reduce and fade redness in the skin caused by rosacea. Chiropractors Michael R. Wiles and John Williams note in their book, "Essentials of Dermatology for Chiropractors," that vitamin A derivatives are often used in skin products for rosacea because it reduces redness and pimples. Sweet potatoes, leafy green vegetables and liver are all rich sources of vitamin A. If you decide to take supplemental vitamin A to fade red skin, be sure to work with your doctor to determine the correct dosage and for how long you should take the supplement, as excessive vitamin A can cause liver damage. It can also cause birth defects in pregnant women.
