Heather T. slathered ointment on some cuts on her arm. Picking berries through thorny blackberry bushes was fun even though the activity left its mark. But the real concern was that it had been over a week since she first got the cuts and they didn’t look like they were healing well. At the same time, a surprising crop of pimples had surfaced on her face, which wasn’t a normal occurrence for her. What was going on with her skin?
She never would have guessed that her slow-healing wounds were related to a nutrient deficiency, but after a bit of research, it appeared she had all of the classic signs of zinc deficiency. It’s true, she had hesitated to supplement with zinc as in the past it upset her stomach. But she felt she was getting some zinc in her diet through healthy whole foods like beans and nuts, and didn’t consider a deficiency as a real possibility – until now.
Heather decided to try a more natural zinc supplement. After about three months of taking her daily recommended value, the results were great. Her skin cleared up, any small cuts or cracks she’d get from gardening, cooking, or even the dry Colorado air healed normally. Even the white spots on her fingernails, which she never associated with these other symptoms, had started to disappear. Moreover, her tastebuds suddenly seemed to waken up, among other health improvements. And she was able to realize all of these benefits without the tummy troubles that she came to expect from zinc supplements!
Heather’s story isn’t uncommon. Many people don’t realize that zinc is so connected to skin health. Read on to learn more about this relationship and how zinc might support your own skin health.
What is Zinc
Zinc is an essential trace mineral. It is classified as essential because zinc is necessary for human health. But since the human body does not store excess zinc, it must be consumed regularly as part of the diet.
While zinc is often praised for its immune benefits, it also has important roles in maintaining healthy skin and helping to protect it from threats.
Zinc Benefits for Skin
You might not realize it, but zinc has actually been used to nourish skin for centuries. Topical products containing zinc oxide, calamine, or zinc pyrithione have been used as sunscreen, soothing agents against itchy or irritated skin, and as an active ingredient of shampoos. Zinc is also needed for the production of both collagen and keratin, important proteins in the skin.
For many skin concerns, research has found that consuming sufficient zinc from the diet and supplements supports balanced, clear skin in many common skin conditions.
How Much Zinc Do I Need?
When it comes to how much zinc you should take, the recommended daily allowances (RDAs) aren’t always enough for all individuals. They provide reasonable minimum targets to hit for most people, but not amounts needed for optimal health in many people, especially vegans. In fact, Heather was even eating many foods rich in zinc which seemed to add up to the minimum required amount of zinc for a women and still found herself deficient.
So we turned to naturopathic doctor, Chante Wiegand for some guidance. She noted that “optimal intake is somewhere in the range of 15-30 mg daily depending on the individual needs of a person. In general, anything below 40 mg is safe to take on an ongoing basis without the need for extra copper supplementation, which can be depleted from excess zinc use.”
Other Skin Superstars
If skin health is top of mind, here are other things you can do:
- Take Vitamin C: Vitamin C aids in collagen production, a key aspect of healthy skin. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant and helps protect the skin from oxidative damage caused by the sun and other environmental factors. Try Pure Radiance C® for a gentle but effective whole food way to take your vitamin C.
- Sip Green Tea: Green tea can help shield your skin from damage and premature aging thanks to the powerful compounds it contains called catechins. Try our antioxidant-rich matcha powder or capsules for a delicious and pure way to get your green tea fix.
- Take Resveratrol: Resveratrol is a compound found in the skins of red grapes and in red wine, which has been proven to oppose the production of aging free radicals in the skin. It’s important to note that the amount of resveratrol in red wine may not be sufficient to provide benefits, so a high-quality supplement is your best bet for skin health.
- Hydrate: Ensuring adequate water intake is like moisturizing your skin from the inside out
- Use Sunscreen: While excessive sun protection measures can hinder your vitamin D absorption, moderate sunscreen and sun protective measures can help protect your skin from potentially damaging rays.
The Bottom Line
Zinc is an essential mineral that helps protect the body inside and out by supporting your body’s most important barrier to the outside world -- your skin! And if you’re wondering which natural zinc supplement was just what Heather needed, it was our Zinc Complex™, giving her 15 mg of plant-based, fermented zinc combined with organic whole foods that’s gentle on the stomach and rich in skin-nourishing antioxidants.
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