The ones I’ve chosen to highlight are the vitamins and supplements most helpful in accomplishing two important goals: first, supporting the gut-brain-skin axis by nourishing the intestinal microbiome, and second, giving the body what it needs to maintain healthy skin (and, I should add, healthy hair and nails). It is best to get this vitamin by consuming supplements (and foods and fortified drinks) rather than exposing oneself to skin-damaging sun. Foods such as salmon, mushrooms, cheese, eggs, and fortified products such as almond milk all contain vitamin D. The safe upper limit is 4,000 IU per day, so if you take a 1,000 IU supplement and eat a few eggs or a piece of salmon in a single 24-hour period, you’re still in a very safe range. To ensure you’re getting plenty of probiotics, consuming probiotic-rich foods and beverages as well as taking a supplement is optimal. And to find the highest-quality probiotics, first go to a reputable store known for its natural-supplements selection. Please do not stop taking the pharmaceuticals that your doctor or dermatologist has prescribed for you. These supplements do not replace drug regimens or sunscreen. They will work in tandem with any other protocol you are currently following. As a reminder, if you are taking oral antibiotics, schedule your probiotics so that you take them in the hours in between your doses of antibiotics. Bowe is a physician scientist and best-selling author. She has published over 50 peer reviewed studies and book chapters and lectured at numerous national and international conferences. Bowe’s microbiological work has resulted in a patent-pending technology with therapeutic potential as a naturally-derived topical agent for acne sufferers. She is frequently called upon by Good Morning America, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal to lend her expertise on all things skin. Ever since Dr. Bowe had to cap her clinical practice because she couldn’t keep up with the demand, she has become known for her authentic discussions and behind-the-scenes videos on her rapidly growing social media channels.
