Before we discuss about Vitamin for skin. There is no harm if we know in advance how the shape and anatomy of the skin. The skin is the outermost layer of the body.

The skin has layers consisting of:

• Epidermis
  The epidermis consists of five layers: stratum corneum, stratum lusidum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum and stratum germinativum (basale). In the epidermis there are a variety of cells including keratinocytes, melanocytes, Langerhans cell, and Merke cell.
• Dermis.
  Dermis is the layer of skin that is under the epidermis that consists of connector tissue. In the dermis there are sensory nerve endings, hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, apocrine glands, lymph vessels, and blood vessels.
• Hypodermic or subcutaneous
  Hypodermic or subcutaneous are not part of the skin, which is under the dermis. Hypodermic or subcutaneous serves to fix the skin to the bones and muscles underneath. Hypodermic consists of connector tissue and elastin. Its main cells are fibroblasts, macrophages, and fat cells.

Skin function

• As a protective (protection).
  The skin keep the body from physical disturbance, chemical, temperature, ultraviolet light and microorganisms. Protection against physical and mechanical disorders conducted by stratum corneum on the palms of the hands and feet, and by process of keratinization.  Protection against pressure performed by the subcutaneous fat. Protection against harmful chemicals conducted by stratum corneum is impermeable to a variety of chemicals and water and the acidity of the skin. While protection against ultraviolet radiation conducted by melanocytes.
• The function of excretion (expenditure) and absorption.
  Skin glands secrete substances and metabolic waste such as sodium, chloride, uric acid, ammonia. Sebaceous glands produce sebum which is useful to suppress the excessive water evaporation. Absorption function can be done with the existence skin permeability.
• The function of keratinization.
  Keratinization in epidermis serve to keep the water levels in the body and form a natural defense system against infection and harmful chemicals. Keratinization process occurs within a few weeks, which is formed from mitosis in stratum germinativum or basale, which will then move up with the changing shape into flattened cells, composition, berdeskuamasi, differentiate and become filled with keratin.
• The former of pigment.
  The formation of skin pigment conducted by melanocyte cells in the stratum basale.
• Body Conditioning.
  Heat regulatory arrangements implemented by the secretion of sweat glands, the body heat out through the skin by radiation, convection and evaporation.
• Activator of vitamin D.
  Formation of vitamin D takes place in stratum spinosum and stratum basaleby changing 7 dehidro cholesterol with the action of ultraviolet B.
• Participate in perception.
  Accepted perception of skin are touching, pressure, heat, cold and pain.
• Skin immunity.
  In the skin there is SALT (Associated Skin Tissue Lymphoid) composed of Langerhans cells, keratinocytes, skin lymphatic channels and specialized capillary endothelial cells that have specific receptors to attract T lymphocytes into epidermis. SALT is very important to monitor the malignant cells that arise from UV radiation, chemical substances or by oncogenic viruses (causes tumors).

Vitamin for skin

• Vitamin A and carotene.
  Vitamin A plays a role in the formation of the epithelial cells of epidermis of the skin, which plays a role in skin keratinization process, regulation of sebum production, helping to restore and repair damage caused by light, striae, and cellulite. Vitamin A found in foods of animal origin, whereas carotene especially in vegetable food. Sources of vitamin A are liver, egg yolks, milk, and butter. Sources of Carotene are green vegetables and fruits which are yellow-orange, such as cassava leaves, bean leaves, watercress, kale, spinach, long beans, green beans, carrots, tomatoes, yellow corn, papaya, mango, jack fruit and ripe citrus.
• Vitamin B.
  To to maintain skin moisture and regenerate skin. Panethenol substances resulting from vitamin B are vitamin that can be applied to the outer skin and be absorbed into the inner skin layer. Is useful to keep the skin moist.
• Vitamin C.
  Vitamin C is an antioxidant. Its function is related to the formation of collagen. Collagen is a protein compound that affects the integrity of cell structure, in all connective tissue. Vitamin C plays a role in healing of wounds, fractures, bleeding under the skin and gums bleeding. Vitamin C found in vegetables, sprouts and fruits like oranges, pineapple, rambutan, papaya, and tomatoes.
• Vitamin D and its derivatives.
  Vitamin D plays a role in regulatory system of skin immune and the formation of epithelium. Vitamin D is activated in the skin with the help of sunlight. • Vitamin D and its derivatives.
  Vitamin D plays a role in immune regulatory system and the formation of of skin epithelium. Vitamin D is activated in the skin with the help of sunlight. Other sources of vitamin D are egg yolk, liver, cream, butter and fish-liver oil.
• Vitamin E.
  Vitamin E is an antioxidant that is able to prevent oxidative damage and protect the skin against UV radiation, prevent premature aging and improve skin moisture and suppleness. The main sources of vitamin E are vegetable oils, especially sprouts oils, wheat and grains. Vegetables and fruits are good sources of vitamin E.
• Selenium.
  Selenium works with vitamin E as antioxidant. The main sources of selenium are seafood, liver, and kidneys. Meat and poultry are also good sources of selenium.
• Essential Fatty Acids.
  Essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 helps produce oil as a natural protector skin and prevent acne. Source of essential fatty acids include olive oil, salmon, sardines and mackerel.
• Water.
  Water keeps skin moist, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, helps the cells to absorb nutrients and remove toxins.

By knowing the function of the skin, making us pay more attention to vitamin for skin so the skin will always be healthy.