Dry skin that won't budge? Your skin may be lacking important vitamins

The skin is the body’s largest organ – and also one of the most nutrient-demanding. To maintain its softness, elasticity, and protective barrier, it needs the right building blocks, including essential vitamins. When we don’t get enough of certain vitamins, the skin can become dry, sensitive, and more easily irritated.

The skin reflects the body’s nutritional balance

Proper skincare can provide temporary relief, but if the skin lacks what it needs to function optimally, applying more products is not always enough. Factors such as cell renewal, moisture retention, and the skin’s natural protective barrier are strongly influenced by nutritional status.

Replenishing the right nutrients consistently can therefore make a significant difference – not only in how the skin feels, but in how it actually functions. For many, it’s about moving from “I’ve tried everything” to finally giving the skin better conditions to recover.

Vitamins that help the skin retain moisture

Vitamin A is essential for skin cell turnover and for maintaining a smooth, resilient surface. Deficiency can make the skin feel dry, rough, and flaky. When levels are sufficient, the skin is better able to renew itself and build a stable barrier that helps retain moisture.

Vitamin D affects the skin’s barrier function and immune balance. Low levels can make the skin drier and more sensitive, and may contribute to flare-ups of conditions such as eczema. Especially during the winter months, low levels are common in Nordic countries and can be reflected in the skin.

Several B vitamins are central to skin health and barrier function, including:

• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), which contributes to normal skin and mucous membranes; deficiency can make the skin feel dry and irritated.
• Vitamin B3 (niacin), which is important for the skin barrier and moisture retention. At normal levels, the skin becomes more resilient and less tight.
• Biotin (vitamin B7), which is needed for normal skin function. Deficiency is uncommon but can cause dry skin and eczema-like symptoms.

Together, B vitamins support skin that feels less reactive and more balanced over time.

Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and protects the skin’s lipids and cell membranes from external stress. These protective fats help reduce moisture loss from the skin. Vitamin E can therefore be an important part of the overall picture if you frequently experience dryness and sensitivity.

When the right nutrition makes a difference

Many people notice gradual improvements in their skin when vitamin deficiencies are corrected. Dryness and tightness may decrease, flaking can subside, and the skin may feel more supple. Because the skin renews itself in cycles, the effect often appears step by step – but can become increasingly noticeable as the body receives what it has been lacking.

A holistic perspective on dry skin

Dry skin is rarely caused by a single factor. Climate, age, hormones, stress, sleep, medications, and skincare routines all play a role. But without the right nutrition, the skin has a harder time repairing itself, no matter how good the cream is.

That’s why reviewing vitamin status can be a powerful step – especially if dryness is new, persistent, or recurring despite good skincare. When inner and outer care work together, the chances increase that the skin can return to its natural softness and strength.

The skin is not just something we see in the mirror. It is a living organ that responds to how we care for the body as a whole. By replenishing the right vitamins, you give your skin better conditions to become soft, supple, and resilient – in a way that lasts over time.