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Review
. 2015 May;23(3):207-17.
doi: 10.4062/biomolther.2015.003. Epub 2015 May 1.

Role of micronutrients in skin health and function

Kyungho Park  1
Affiliations
Review

Role of micronutrients in skin health and function

Kyungho Park. Biomol Ther (Seoul). 2015 May.

Abstract

Skin is the first line of defense for protecting our bodies against external perturbations, including ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, mechanical/chemical stress, and bacterial infection. Nutrition is one of many factors required for the maintenance of overall skin health. An impaired nutritional status alters the structural integrity and biological function of skin, resulting in an abnormal skin barrier. In particular, the importance of micronutrients (such as certain vitamins and minerals) for skin health has been highlighted in cell culture, animal, and clinical studies. These micronutrients are employed not only as active compounds in therapeutic agents for treating certain skin diseases, but also as ingredients in cosmetic products. Here, the author describes the barrier function of the skin and the general nutritional requirements for skin health. The goal of this review is to discuss the potential roles and current knowledge of selected micronutrients in skin health and function.

Keywords: Cosmetic ingredient; Micronutrient; Skin disease; Skin function; Therapeutic agent.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Structure of mammalian skin. Intact skin of mouse was subjected to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-staining. The skin consists of two primary layers, epidermis and dermis. The outermost layer of epidermis is the stratum corneum. Scale bar, 20 μm.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Signaling of vitamin A to alter cellular functions in epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts. RAR, retinoic acid receptor; RXR, retinoid X receptor; RARE, retinoic acid response element; RXRE, retinoid X response element; MMPs, matrix metalloproteinases.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Vitamin C attenuates UV irradiation-mediated damages in Skin. AP-1, activation protein-1; MMPs, matrix metalloproteinases.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Vitamin D modulates innate immunity, angiogenesis, and wound healing in skin via VDR-dependent mechanism. CAMP, cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide; VDR, vitamin D receptor; RXR, retinoid X receptor; VDRE, vitamin D response element.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.
Vitamin E protects skin from photoaging and inflammation. MMP-1, matrix metalloproteinase-1; PKC, protein kinase C.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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