The 10 Best Vitamins and Supplements for Healthy, Glowing Skin

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Sun exposure while training for a race or playing pick-up with friends can cause your skin to age quicker than it ordinarily would—not to mention cause skin cancer. While skincare products like sunscreen, moisturizers, exfoliators and serums are a great way to brighten or tighten your skin, these promising products aren’t always a solution for skin conditions like acne or dry skin, which can be caused by nutrition deficiencies.

As the largest organ in your body, your skin benefits from hydration and maintaining a well-balanced diet. Adding a high-quality vitamin or supplement to your diet (and skincare routine) can help you fill any nutritional gaps. Investing in high-quality dietary supplements can help you maintain healthy, glowing skin—especially if face creams and lotions aren’t doing the trick. Depending on your skincare needs, there are a variety of different supplements and vitamins available that can help you achieve your goals.

The best supplements for skin use evidence-backed ingredients to maintain skin health, and all 10 vitamins and supplements on our list meet this criteria (and come from trusted brands). With the help of dermatologists and nutrition experts, we’ll explain why these products are worthy of joining your skincare routine and how nutrition and skin health are intertwined.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

Our Picks for Best Skin Supplements in 2024:

• Collagen: BUBS Collagen Peptides
• Biotin: OLLY Undeniable Beauty
• Probiotic: Transparent Labs Probiotic Advanced Gut Health Formula
• Vitamin C: Care/of Vitamin C 
• Multivitamin: OLLY Flawless Complexion
• Vitamin D: Transparent Labs Vitamin D3 + K2
• Hyaluronic Acid: Ritual HyaCera
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: HUM Arctic Repair
• Zinc: Thorne Zinc Picolinate
• Vitamin A: Pure Encapsulations Vitamin A

Best Collagen Supplement for Skin: BUBS Collagen Peptides

• Dose/Daily Value: 20 grams
• Key ingredients: Bovine hide collagen peptides
• Certifications: NSF Certified for Sport
• Dietary considerations: Gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, corn-free, GMO-free, Whole 30-Approved
• Best for: Healthy hair, anti-aging and skin elasticity
• Price per serving: $1.68

BUBS Naturals is a supplement brand founded by professional athletes that specializes in collagen and MCT oil powder. Its collagen peptides supplement is made from bovine hide, which studies show can improve skin integrity and slow skin aging.

Packing in 20 grams of collagen per serving (slightly higher than most studied ranges), this potent collagen powder is unflavored and can be mixed into a variety of drinks, including water and coffee. Oral collagen supplements are also high in protein—this supplement has 18 grams— making them a great addition to your diet. However, note that collagen isn’t a complete source of protein.

While one or two buyers complain about shipping speed (saying subscription shipments arrive ahead of schedule), many customers praise BUBS Collagen Peptides for improving their skin and nails, saying it mixes easily into any liquid beverage.

Best Biotin Supplement for Skin: OLLY Undeniable Beauty

• Dose/Daily Value: 2,500 micrograms (8,333 percent daily value)
• Key ingredients: Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid), vitamin E (as d-alpha tocopheryl acetate), biotin (as D-biotin) and keratin (solubilized)
• Certifications: Certified B Corporation, NSF Certified,
• Dietary considerations: Gluten-free and no artificial flavors or colors
• Best for: Glowing skin and stronger hair and nails
• Price per serving: $0.47

OLLY is a nutrition powerhouse known for its colorful supplements and fun packaging. Its Undeniable Beauty supplement combines evidence-backed ingredients with skin, hair and nails benefits such as biotin, keratin and vitamins C and E. Biotin in particular is thought to maintain skin hydration and increase hair growth (when paired with medical treatment), but research in this area is still limited.

Nonetheless, the beauty community often swears by biotin as a go-to ingredient for stronger skin, hair and nails. Some buyers note a sour taste to the once-daily gummies, but many back up the notion that this supplement does wonders for glowing skin.

Best Probiotic Supplement for Skin: Transparent Labs Probiotic Advanced Gut Health Formula

• Dose/Daily Value: 1,000 milligrams, 100 billion colony-forming units (CFUs)
• Key ingredients: Probiotic blend
• Certifications: None listed
• Dietary considerations: Non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, and free of artificial sweeteners, colors and preservatives
• Best for: Preventing and treating skin disease
• Price per serving: $1.53

Transparent Labs is an all-natural sports supplement brand that uses science-backed ingredients. While you may think of probiotics as a supplement for gut health, they can have major skin benefits as well, including preventing and treating skin diseases like eczema.

Most probiotics contain one to 10 billion CFUs per dose, making Transparent Labs Probiotic Advanced Gut Health Formula a very potent dose at 100 billion colony-forming units per serving. While the capsules may be on the larger side, as some customers say, this probiotic formula gets high marks from buyers for its many health benefits.

Best Vitamin C Supplement for Skin: Care/of Vitamin C

• Dose/Daily Value: 250 milligrams (278 percent daily value)
• Key ingredients: Vitamin C (as organic acerola fruit extract)
• Certifications: Certified C.L.E.A.N.
• Dietary considerations: Vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO
• Best for: Reversing sun damage
• Price per serving: $0.53

Care/of, a supplement brand with a carefully curated packaging and design, really grabs your eye. But can the personalized vitamin service back style with substance? For most, the answer is yes: Care/of has a solid rating on Trustpilot (4.4/5) and a wealth of positive feedback. One subscriber said the products are “great and tailored to my specific needs,” adding that the cute packaging is a nice bonus.

So, if your skin is yearning for vitamin C, Care/of could be an excellent option: One capsule delivers 278 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that research shows can reverse the effects of sun damage. Vitamin C also offers a major immune system boost, which is highly important for your skin, as your skin is your body’s first major defense against infection.

Best Multivitamin Supplement for Skin: OLLY Flawless Complexion

• Dose/Daily Value: 33-571 percent daily value, depending on ingredient
• Key ingredients: Vitamins A, D, E, B6, zinc, selenium, chromium, spearmint extract, aronia extract, dandelion root extract
• Certifications: NSF certified, certified B Corporation
• Dietary considerations: Gluten-free, no artificial flavors or colors, 3 grams of sugar per serving
• Best for: Overall skin health
• Price per serving: $0.56

Those looking for a well-rounded multivitamin for their skin that supports overall skin health should look no further than the berry-flavored OLLY Flawless Complexion Gummies. With seven vitamins and minerals, and three plant extracts that include numerous science-backed ingredients for clear and healthy skin, this multivitamin may help support your body’s efforts to heal various skin concerns from the inside-out.

A few customers report slow shipping, but many say this multivitamin has transformed their skin, hair and nails.

Best Vitamin D Supplement for Skin: Transparent Labs Vitamin D3 + K2

• Dose/Daily Value: 125 micrograms (625 percent daily value)
• Key ingredients: Vitamin D (as cholecalciferol) and vitamin K2 (as menaquinone)
• Certifications: None listed
• Dietary considerations: Non-GMO, gluten-free and no artificial coloring, sweeteners or preservatives
• Best for: Reducing skin cancer risk
• Price per serving: $0.17

As the name says, Transparent Labs is committed to transparency and divulges 100 percent of its formulas and how they’re made. Transparent Labs Vitamin D3 + K2 blends two powerful vitamins—vitamin D which can reduce skin cancer risk and prevent skin cancer growth, and vitamin K which can promote wound healing.

With 625 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin D, this potent supplement can also reduce inflammation and help your body absorb and retain calcium, which is important for healthy bones. Some buyers note slow shipping, but many say they appreciate the transparency of the brand and budget-friendly price points.

Best Hyaluronic Acid Supplement for Skin: Ritual HyaCera

• Dose/Daily Value: 120 milligrams
• Key ingredients: Hyabest (hyaluronic acid) and Ceratiq (plant oil extract with glycolipids and ceramides)
• Certifications: Non-GMO Project Verified
• Dietary considerations: Vegan, gluten-free
• Best for: Minimizing small wrinkles and improving hydration
• Price per serving: $1.80

Ritual is a transparent supplement brand that shares every ingredient, source and scientist behind its products.

If you love luxurious skincare, you’ve probably encountered hyaluronic acid in creams and serums, but many people don’t know that hyaluronic acid can be taken orally as well. Meet Ritual HyaCera, a hyaluronic acid and plant oil extract blend that promises glowing and moisturized skin.

Since hyaluronic acid is excellent at retaining water, it’s one of the best solutions for dry skin. While the 120-milligram dose of hyaluronic acid may not be enough to tackle deeper wrinkles (studies have found 200 milligrams daily to be effective in this case), you’ll likely see benefits for finer lines.

This once-daily, vanilla-flavored capsule may be on the pricey side, but many buyers claim the hydration benefits are well worth the cost.

Related Post: The Best Hyaluronic Acid Supplements

Best Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplement for Skin: HUM Arctic Repair

• Dose/Daily Value: 657 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids
• Key ingredients: Vitamin A and lingonberry seed oil (omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid, omega-6 linoleic acid and omega-9 oleic acid)
• Certifications: Clean Label Project Certified
• Dietary considerations: Vegan
• Best for: Regulating oil production and strengthening skin
• Price per serving: $2.00

HUM Nutrition may be best known for its mood vitamins, but the popular supplement brand makes excellent skin supplements as well. HUM Arctic Repair is a softgel supplement that packs in omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, plus 20 percent of the daily recommended value of vitamin A.

While most people think of fish oil as the go-to choice for omega-3 fatty acids, HUM Arctic Repair is entirely vegan. These supplements are made with lingonberry seed oil which is rich in omega fatty acids and packs in numerous skin benefits like skin strengthening and regulated oil production.

Three softgels make up one serving of this skin supplement. While a minority of buyers noticed no impact, the majority said their skin looked youthful and more vibrant after using this supplement for several weeks.

Best Zinc Supplement for Skin: Thorne Zinc Picolinate

• Dose/Daily Value: 15 milligrams (136 percent daily value)
• Key ingredients: Zinc (as Zinc Picolinate)
• Certifications: None listed
• Dietary considerations: Gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free
• Best for: Dermatitis and reducing inflammation
• Price per serving: $0.18

Thorne Supplements offers a full line of integrated health products, including a zinc supplement. If you have dermatitis (skin irritation) or skin inflammation from rosacea, eczema or melasma, Thorne Zinc picolinate—which delivers 136 percent of the daily recommended value of zinc—may help reduce redness and swelling.

While the dosage is higher than the recommended daily value (11 milligrams for men and eight milligrams for women), zinc can be a powerful supplement for wound healing and even reducing acne.

This once-daily capsule is revered by customers for its acne and skin benefits. While a handful of users experienced nausea, most reported numerous health benefits and an easy-to-take capsule.

Best Vitamin A Supplement for Skin: Pure Encapsulations Vitamin A

• Dose/Daily Value: 3,000 micrograms (333 percent daily value)
• Key ingredients: Vitamin A (from Norwegian cod liver oil and vitamin A palmitate)
• Certifications: None listed
• Dietary considerations: Non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free
• Best for: Severe acne and psoriasis
• Price per serving: $0.09

Pure Encapsulations is a highly regarded, budget-friendly nutrition brand. Its vitamin A supplement costs just $0.09 per serving and is free from major allergens such as gluten, soy and dairy. It packs in 333 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin A, which is at the upper end of the usual dosage of this vitamin.

Vitamin A comes with numerous skin benefits and can be especially effective at clearing up severe acne and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes an itchy and patchy rash.

Some buyers note a fishy smell with the capsule because of the cod liver oil, but it’s not enough to stop them from taking it, saying it helps clear up hormonal acne.

Are Vitamins and Supplements Necessary for Skin Health?

If you're eating a balanced diet, you may not need extra supplements according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Asmi Sanghvi, who is also certified as an ayurvedic nutritionist (a type of diet that encourages mindful eating and consuming whole foods).

"Vitamins are essential for skin health as they engage in diverse biochemical mechanisms to protect the skin, facilitate repair to counter damage, promote overall skin health and combat skin diseases,” Sanghvi says. “That said, supplements are only necessary if you’re dealing with a nutrient deficiency.”

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jake Woods of Gya Labs echoes that keeping a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats can provide you with essential nutrients for overall health, including skin health. Yet dietary restrictions, certain medical conditions and lifestyle factors may not always make keeping a well-rounded diet possible, which is where skincare supplements can help.

“Certain skin conditions may increase the need for specific nutrients,” he says. “Individuals with acne, for instance, might benefit from supplements containing zinc or vitamin A.”

Benefits of Using Skin Supplements or Vitamins

Skin supplements or vitamins can provide numerous benefits for the skin. Here are a few that you might experience.

Improved skin health

Many people turn to skin supplements or vitamins for overall skin health, such as “improved texture, tone and elasticity,” Woods says. A vitamin D deficiency, for example, can cause intensive skin pigmentation (such as dark spots or uneven skin tone), which is where a good vitamin D supplement can help. In addition to collagen supplements, vitamin C is another great choice for boosting skin elasticity (and stimulating collagen production at the same time).

Enhanced hydration

Skin dryness can be more than just an annoyance—in extreme cases, it can be painful and lead to broken skin. Studies show that a number of dietary supplements, including collagen ceramides, hyaluronan and procyanin, can all help your skin stay hydrated. 

“This results in a more plump and moisturized appearance,” Woods says.

Reduced signs of aging

If anti-aging is your skincare goal, vitamin C and vitamin E can help.

“These antioxidants help protect the skin from free radical damage,” Woods explains.

Free radicals are unstable atoms that can lead to chronic health problems and skin aging. Powerful antioxidants like vitamins C and E can help reverse damage done to skin cells. If supplements aren’t for you, you can also get plenty of vitamin C through citrus fruits and vitamin E through nuts and seeds like sunflower seeds, almonds and peanuts.

Reduction in skin inflammation

Your skin could be inflamed from a number of reasons including rosacea, eczema or psoriasis. Whether you’re dealing with bad breakouts or your skin is red and puffy, a skincare supplement with anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce skin inflammation.

“Certain supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, can help calm and soothe inflamed or irritated skin,” Woods says. 

Another way to naturally boost your omega-3 consumption is by eating fatty fish like salmon.

Wound healing

Perhaps you’re dealing with a wound—something as minor as a cut on your skin, or as major as healing from a surgical incision. If you’re looking to speed up the healing process, vitamin C can be a great option. It also boosts your immune system, which further supports wound healing.

Protection against sun damage

Skin supplements can’t replace sunscreen (and should never be used in lieu of a good SPF), but powerful antioxidants like vitamins C and E can help protect the skin from damage, such as sunburn, caused by harmful UV rays, according to Woods.

“These vitamins can work alongside a broad-spectrum sunscreen to enhance the skin's defense against sun damage,” he explains.

When to See a Doctor About Your Skin

While taking a high-quality skincare supplement or vitamin can help certain skin conditions, some situations require seeing a healthcare professional for medical evaluation. Here’s when Woods recommends making an appointment with a doctor or seeking out professional help.

• New or unusual skin growths
• Changes in existing skin growths
• Persistent skin problems
• Painful skin problems
• Itching skin
• Skin problems that interfere with your daily life

Woods also recommends that people with a family history of skin cancer, fair skin or who spend a lot of time in the sun make annual appointments with a dermatology clinic for a skin check, since these groups are at higher risk for developing skin cancer.

How to Choose the Best Skin Supplements for You

The best supplements for skin should fit your specific needs, budget and overall skincare routine. Consider these factors as you shop around for the best supplement or vitamin.

Price

Cost is one of the most important factors when it comes to choosing a product that works for you. In addition to overall price, be sure to look at price-per-serving, shipping fees and subscription savings options as you calculate how much you’ll end up paying. If you plan on taking a supplement long-term, be sure to budget the final cost into your monthly finances.

Needs

Before starting any skin supplement or vitamin, consider your needs for taking it. Are you trying to reduce persistent acne breakouts? Regulate oil production? Improve skin tone and elasticity? Depending on your overall skincare goals, you may want to lean toward one supplement over the other (our guide outlines which supplements and vitamins are best for various needs).

Ingredients

Some supplements include standalone ingredients (such as collagen peptides or vitamin A), while others include a mix of ingredients. Be sure to carefully read all food labels to make sure the ingredients are right for your goals and to check for any allergens. If an ingredient or its benefits are unfamiliar to you, you can cross-reference our guide, check reputable medical sources or talk with your healthcare provider.

Dosage

Supplement and vitamin dosage will vary greatly depending on the brand and potency of a product. Be sure to look for a product with a well-studied dosage that confirms benefits at that dose range. Remember, a higher dose doesn’t always equal a better product. Higher dosages may increase the risk of potential side effects such as upset stomach or headache.

Certifications

If you follow a specific diet, like gluten-free, or you have common allergies like soy or dairy, it’s important to seek out a product that’s certified free of your allergen. You can usually find details about any certifications on a product label or on the back of a supplement bottle.

Medications

Skin supplements and vitamins aren’t regulated as closely by the FDA as prescription medicine, so there’s no standard dosage or recommendation for how to take them. If you take prescription or over-the-counter medicine, or if you have a diagnosed medical condition, be sure to check with your doctor before starting any supplement.

Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best Skin Supplements

We chose the best skin supplements and best skin vitamins based on a number of factors. We looked at evidence-backed ingredients, dosage, brand reputation, customer reviews, taste and cost. The information provided by our experts—board-certified dermatologists Dr. Jake Woods and Dr. Asmi Sanghvi—also helped us determine which supplements and vitamins offered the most benefits for specific skincare needs and overall skin health.

Skin Vitamins & Supplements FAQs

What is the most powerful vitamin for skin?

While there’s no one vitamin that’s more powerful than the rest when it comes to skin, the most beneficial for skin health are vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A (retinol) and B vitamins, Woods says. Vitamins C and E are antioxidants, vitamin A assists in cell turnover and B vitamins support overall skin health by improving texture, reducing redness and regulating oil production.

Does gut health affect skin?

Similar to the gut-brain connection, there is a strong link between gut health and skin. It may come as a surprise, but an unbalanced gut microbiome (or the bacteria community in your gut) can lead to a variety of skin disorders. If an unhealthy gut is affecting your skin, there are numerous steps you can take to improve gut health, such as taking a gut-specific supplement.

Can supplements help aging skin?

Certain supplements such as collagen, vitamin C and vitamin E have proven benefits in slowing the skin aging process. Collagen supplements are often the most popular choice for reducing fine lines and improving skin elasticity.

What vitamins do dermatologists recommend for clear skin?

Vitamins alone won’t guarantee clear skin, Woods says, but a combination of following a balanced diet and good skincare practices can lead to a blemish-free complexion. Still, some vitamins that can help skin appearance are vitamins A, C, E, D and B vitamins, Woods adds.

Takeaway: Are Skin Supplements and Vitamins Worth It?

When paired with a balanced diet and good skincare practices (such as regularly using sunscreen and washing and exfoliating your skin), skin supplements and vitamins can be worthwhile if a nutritional deficiency is causing skin concerns. A healthcare provider can check your vitamin levels if you suspect nutrition may be the culprit behind skin issues like acne or dryness. Other supplements, like collagen and hyaluronic acid, may be added to a skincare routine to boost skin elasticity. Be sure to check our guide for our top skin supplements and vitamins and how to use them.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.