International Journal of Biomedicine. 2023;13(2):205-209.
DOI: 10.21103/Article13(2)_RA4
Originally published June 5, 2023
Vitamins are essential dietary items because of their functions as enzyme cofactors and catalysts in the body. Vitamin deficiency can significantly impact the skin, leading to a variety of dermatological problems, such as dryness, premature aging, hyperpigmentation, palmoplantar keratoderma, and even nail disorders. Alcoholism, rigid diets, inadequate parental nourishment, and intestinal absorption issues may all be factors in vitamin deficits. The most commonly deficient vitamins in relation to skin health are vitamin A, biotin, vitamin C, and vitamin D. Vitamin A helps to maintain the skin's barrier function and promote skin cell growth, while biotin helps to support the skin's underlying structure. Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis and skin brightening, and vitamin D is a crucial nutrient for overall health, including the skin. A balanced and varied diet and proper skin care can help prevent and address vitamin deficiencies, keeping the skin healthy and radiant. This review examines the most common vitamin deficiencies and their impact on the skin.
1. Wang X, Wang, H. The relationship between vitamin D and eczema: A systematic review. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2019;143(5):1631-1640.
2. Darlenski R, Ivanova T. Vitamin D and acne: A review of the literature. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2019;18(5):459-463.
3. Kechichian E, Ezzedine K. Vitamin D and the Skin: An Update for Dermatologists. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2018 Apr;19(2):223-235. doi: 10.1007/s40257-017-0323-8.
4. Horák P. Vitamin D deficiency and its health effects. Vnitr Lek. 2019 Winter;65(11):724-727.
5. Zhang L, Zhang S, He C, Wang X. VDR Gene Polymorphisms and Allergic Diseases: Evidence from a Meta-analysis. Immunol Invest. 2020 Feb;49(1-2):166-177. doi: 10.1080/08820139.2019.1674325.
6. Filoni A, Vestita M, Congedo M, Giudice G, Tafuri S, Bonamonte D. Association between psoriasis and vitamin D: Duration of disease correlates with decreased vitamin D serum levels: An observational case-control study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Jun;97(25):e11185. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000011185.
7. AlGhamdi K, Kumar A, Moussa N. The role of vitamin D in melanogenesis with an emphasis on vitiligo. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2013 Nov-Dec;79(6):750-8. doi: 10.4103/0378-6323.120720.
8. Zhang JZ, Wang M, Ding Y, Gao F, Feng YY, Yakeya B, Wang P, Wu XJ, Hu FX, Xian J, Kang XJ. Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, and risk of vitiligo: A meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Jul;97(29):e11506. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000011506.
9. Varikasuvu SR, Aloori S, Varshney S, Bhongir AV. Decreased circulatory levels of Vitamin D in Vitiligo: a meta-analysis. An Bras Dermatol. 2021 May-Jun;96(3):284-294. doi: 10.1016/j.abd.2020.10.002. Epub 2021 Mar 24. Erratum in: An Bras Dermatol. 2021 Nov-Dec;96(6):802.
10. Song J, Liu K, Chen W, Liu B, Yang H, Lv L, Sun X, Mao Y, Ye D. Circulating Vitamin D Levels and Risk of Vitiligo: Evidence From Meta-Analysis and Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization. Front Nutr. 2021 Dec 22;8:782270. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2021.782270.
11. Berardi S , Giardullo L , Corrado A , Cantatore FP . Vitamin D and connective tissue diseases. Inflamm Res. 2020; 69:453-462.
12. Lee S, Kim BJ, Lee CH, Lee WS. Increased prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with alopecia areata: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018 Jul;32(7):1214-1221. doi: 10.1111/jdv.14987.
13. Tukaj S. Vitamin D in autoimmune bullous disease. Acta Biochim Pol. 2020 Feb 12;67(1):1-5. doi: 10.18388/abp.2020_2905.
14.Yildizgoren MT, Togral AK, Armutcu F, Kocaturk E. The association of vitamin D status with acne vulgaris: A case-control study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2017;16(4):508-511.
15. Nava MB, Pagliarello C. The role of vitamin D in skin aging. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2017;10(9):22-27.
16. Kim JH, Kim HJ, Lee JH. Vitamin D deficiency and pigmentary disorders. The British Journal of Dermatology. 2010;163(5):1067-1075.
17. Holick MF. Vitamin D deficiency. N Engl J Med. 2007 Jul 19;357(3):266-81. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra070553.
18. DeLuca HF. Overview of general physiologic features and functions of vitamin D. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Dec;80(6 Suppl):1689S-96S. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/80.6.1689S.
19. Mrotzek C, Felcht M, Sommer A, Schrader A, Klemke CD, Herling M, Schlaak M, Fabri M. Vitamin D controls apoptosis and proliferation of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cells. Exp Dermatol. 2015 Oct;24(10):798-800. doi: 10.1111/exd.12746.
20. Birke M, Schöpe J, Wagenpfeil S, Vogt T, Reichrath J. Association of Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms With Melanoma Risk: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review. Anticancer Res. 2020 Feb;40(2):583-595. doi: 10.21873/anticanres.13988.
21. Ince B, Yildirim MEC, Dadaci M. Assessing the Effect of Vitamin D Replacement on Basal Cell Carcinoma Occurrence and Recurrence Rates in Patients with Vitamin D Deficiency. Horm Cancer. 2019 Dec;10(4-6):145-149. doi: 10.1007/s12672-019-00365-2.
22. Blaner WS. Vitamin A and Provitamin A Carotenoids. In: Marriott BP, Birt DF, Stallings VA, Yates AA, eds. Present Knowledge in Nutrition. 11th ed. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Wiley-Blackwell; 2020:73-91.
23. Institute of Medicine. Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 2001.
24. Wirth JP, Petry N, Tanumihardjo SA, Rogers LM, McLean E, Greig A, Garrett GS, Klemm RD, Rohner F. Vitamin A Supplementation Programs and Country-Level Evidence of Vitamin A Deficiency. Nutrients. 2017 Feb 24;9(3):190. doi: 10.3390/nu9030190.
25. Phanachet P, Shantavasinkul PC, Chantrathammachart P, Rattanakaemakorn P, Jayanama K, Komindr S, Warodomwichit D. Unusual manifestation of vitamin A deficiency presenting with generalized xerosis without night blindness. Clin Case Rep. 2018 Mar 13;6(5):878-882. doi: 10.1002/ccr3.1475.
26. Chen W, Zhao S, Zhu W, Wu L, Chen X. Retinoids as an Immunity-modulator in Dermatology Disorders. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz). 2019 Dec;67(6):355-365. doi: 10.1007/s00005-019-00562-5.
27. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Biotin: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-HealthProfessional/ Updated: January 10, 2022
28. Finner AM. Nutrition and hair: deficiencies and supplements. Dermatol Clin. 2013 Jan;31(1):167-72. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2012.08.015.
29. Venkataraman V, Balaji P, Panigrahi D, Jamal R. Biotinidase deficiency in childhood. Neurol India. 2013 Jul-Aug;61(4):411-3. doi: 10.4103/0028-3886.117614.
30. Trüeb RM. Serum Biotin Levels in Women Complaining of Hair Loss. Int J Trichology. 2016 Apr-Jun;8(2):73-7. doi: 10.4103/0974-7753.188040.
31. Lipner S. A classic case of scurvy. Lancet. 2018 Aug 4;392(10145):431. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31491-0.
32. Panchal S, Schneider C, Malhotra K. Scurvy in a hemodialysis patient. Rare or ignored? Hemodial Int. 2018 Oct;22(S2):S83-S87. doi: 10.1111/hdi.12705.
33. Agarwal A, Shaharyar A, Kumar A, Bhat MS, Mishra M. Scurvy in pediatric age group - A disease often forgotten? J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2015 Jun;6(2):101-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2014.12.003.
34. Ceglie G, Macchiarulo G, Marchili MR, Marchesi A, Rotondi Aufiero L, Di Camillo C, Villani A. Scurvy: still a threat in the well-fed first world? Arch Dis Child. 2019 Apr;104(4):381-383. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2018-315496.
35. Léger D. Scurvy: reemergence of nutritional deficiencies. Can Fam Physician. 2008 Oct;54(10):1403-6.
Download Article
Received March 20, 2023.
Accepted April 25, 2023.
©2023 International Medical Research and Development Corporation.
