Vitamin deficiencies often show up first on the skin, since it's one of the body’s most visible organs. Here are key signs linked to specific vitamin shortages:
🔹 Vitamin A Deficiency
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Dry, rough, or flaky skin
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Bumpy texture (like keratosis pilaris)
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Poor wound healing
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More prone to acne or eczema
🔹 Vitamin C Deficiency
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Dull, sallow skin
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Easy bruising or bleeding gums
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Slow healing wounds
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Skin that looks tired or aged (due to reduced collagen production)
🔹 Vitamin D Deficiency
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Dry, itchy, or inflamed skin
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Increased risk of eczema, psoriasis, or acne
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General dullness or uneven tone
🔹 Vitamin E Deficiency
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Dry, cracked skin
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Increased sensitivity to UV damage
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May worsen conditions like eczema or inflammation
🔹 Vitamin B Complex Deficiencies
B2 (Riboflavin):
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Cracked lips, redness around nose and mouth
B3 (Niacin): -
Red, scaly rashes, especially on sun-exposed areas
B7 (Biotin): -
Dry, scaly skin, hair thinning, brittle nails
B12: -
Pale skin, hyperpigmentation, or vitiligo-like patches
🔹 Zinc & Iron Deficiencies (Not vitamins, but common skin-related)
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Zinc: Delayed wound healing, acne, dermatitis
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Iron: Pale skin, dark under-eye circles, brittle nails
🛑 Reminder:
If you notice persistent skin changes, it’s best to get blood work done. Supplementing without knowing your levels can sometimes do more harm than good.