Glow from the inside out.
When it comes to maintaining a healthy, clear complexion, what we put in our bodies matters just as much as what we put on our skin. Many factors can lead to blemish-prone skin (think: hormones, genetics, hygiene), but a big element that is in our control is nutrition.12 Eating foods that promote clearer skin, including a varied diet that is rich in skin-nourishing vitamins, is important. But sometimes, we might need a little extra help from supplements. It’s important to note, though, that supplements should always be used in addition to a robust diet and should not take the place of consuming nutrients from food—and, as always, be sure to consult your medical provider before trying a new supplement.3
To find the best vitamins for clear skin, we conducted hours of research and considered dozens of formulas. We evaluated all of our picks based on their included nutrients as well as their health certifications, such as being certified non-GMO or organic. Alongside input from board-certified dermatologists, we landed on these 13 top-rated picks to give you the best in show.
Best Overall: MegaFood Skin, Nails & Hair 2
Megafood’s Skin, Hair, and Nails supplement is a multivitamin and herbal product designed to support skin health. In addition to the most well-known skin-health nutrients (vitamins A, C, and E),456this product also includes critical minerals selenium (found in wrinkle-fighting foods like oysters) and zinc, as well as a few B vitamins and the herb nettle leaf (nettles are rich in polyphenols and may be beneficial in decreasing inflammation).7 Suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets, this product can be taken any time of day—even on an empty stomach.
Some of the benefits you can expect are a glowier complexion and thicker, fuller hair. While the tablets are somewhat large, we love that they are pretty easy to swallow and don’t have an unpleasant aftertaste.
Who It’s For
This is a great option for those who like to take their vitamins first thing in the morning or those who often forget to take them, as they can be consumed on an empty stomach and at any time of the day. We also recommend these vitamins if you want to see results quickly, as many reviewers rave that they saw noticeable differences after a week or two.
Best Budget: Nature’s Bounty Extra Strength Hair, Skin & Nails Softgels
Nature’s Bounty, which has been making quality vitamins for more than 50 years, prides itself on being backed by science and using the purest forms of its ingredients, so you’ll get great quality supplements for under $20. These rapid-release softgels contain collagen (which has been shown to improve and maintain the health condition of the skin and nails), minerals, B vitamins like biotin, and vitamins A, C, E, and D.8We love that this supplement is lab-tested, and contains no artificial colors and flavors, and are free of common allergens like milk, lactose, gluten, wheat, yeast, and fish. You do have to take three of them per day, but they are pretty tiny and easy to swallow.
Who It’s For
If you want to improve the health of your nails and hair in addition to clearing your skin, this is one supplement that can do it all. Those who don’t like taking big supplements will also love this pick, as the capsules are smaller softgels that will go down easily.
Runner-Up, Best Budget: Olly Flawless Complexion
Similar to our pick for the best budget, Olly’s Flawless Complexion is also extremely affordable, at less than $15 for a 25-day supply. In addition to skin-healing vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium, we love that Olly also includes spearmint and dandelion root—both of which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties, helping keep your skin clear and its tone even.910 One serving of two berry-flavored gummies contains three grams of sugar and 20 calories, so it’s not too sweet while being delicious enough to remember to take daily.
Who It’s For
Since this supplement can tackle inflammation, it’s a good pick for those whose main skin concern is acne. Acne can be caused by inflammation in the body, so the spearmint and dandelion can work to heal blemishes from the inside out.11 We also recommend this for those who hate taking vitamins or find them hard to swallow, as these gummies are easy to chew and have a great taste.
Best Vegan: Solgar Hair Skin and Nails
Solgar’s Hair, Skin, and Nail supplements provide over 100% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, zinc, and copper to support your body’s production of collagen, which keeps your skin elastic and hydrated—but can decrease as we age.12 In addition to these nutrients, one serving contains the amino acids lysine and proline as well as MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). MSM is most commonly used for its antioxidant anti-inflammatory properties, having been studied for its ability to heal joint pain and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can be caused by free radical exposure that can be absorbed by the skin, and the MSM and vitamin C in the formula can protect the complexion.14 Because these Solgar supplements are formulated without dairy, fish, or meat, they are the perfect choice for vegans who are looking for a skin-beneficial vitamin.
Who It’s For
As we mentioned above, this animal product-free supplement is our pick for vegans, but we also recommend it as the best skin vitamin if you have any dietary needs, as it’s even halal, kosher, and gluten-free.
Best Gummy: HUM Nutrition Glow Sweet Glow
Gummy vitamins that aren’t loaded with added sugars and artificial flavors are hard to come by. Thankfully, HUM’s Glow Sweet Glow’s tangerine-flavored gummies only contain two grams of added sugar per serving, and they taste amazing. Offering 100% of the recommended daily intake of vitamins C and E for a healthy glow, each serving also contains hyaluronic acid, a well-known topical moisturizer that hydrates when ingested too.15
Who It’s For
If you deal with dullness or a complexion that just looks flat, this vitamin will encourage a bouncy, healthy-looking finish. Since it also contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, it’s also a good choice for dry skin types.
Best Powder: Amazing Grass Greens Superfood Detox & Digest
Clear skin starts from the inside, and the gut is one part of the body you’ll want to optimize if you want healthy-looking skin.16 This powder is filled with tons of skin-loving vitamins, minerals, fruits, seeds, and herbs. One scoop contains vitamin K, vitamin A, and iron, as well as alkalizing farm-fresh greens, probiotics, and Actazin green kiwi fruit powder, which is formulated to increase the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.17 We love that this product is sugar-free and can be enjoyed in water, juice, or your favorite smoothie recipe.
Who It’s For
This supplement is a great multitasker, as it contains ingredients tailored to improve the health of your skin, gut, and immune system. If you want to take a holistic approach to healing your skin, this is the pick for you.
Best Organic: Garden of Life mykind Organics Women’s Once Daily Multi
Some combinations of vitamins and minerals work best when they’re taken together, so for this reason, it might be wise to take a multivitamin if you want to help promote clear, healthy skin. Mykind’s vegan multivitamin is certified organic and boasts powerful skin-supporting nutrients like vitamins A, C, E, zinc, selenium, and biotin. In addition to nutrients made from whole foods, each tablet also contains an organic food blend that includes fruits and vegetables.
Who It’s For
If you prefer to get all of your nutrients from natural food sources, this is a great choice—as all of the vitamins in the formula are obtained from the aforementioned organic food blend. Formulated with everything from brussels sprouts to raspberry, it can supplement your daily servings of fruits and veggies while treating your skin from the inside out.
Best with Vitamin C: Thorne Vitamin C
Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid, is a vitamin that must be obtained from the diet. In addition to being a potent skin-protecting antioxidant and immunity booster, vitamin C is also critical to the synthesis of collagen, which keeps your skin looking young.18 Many fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C—however, for those looking to supplement their vitamin C intake for a glowy and bouncy complexion, Thorne is our top pick. One capsule contains more than 500% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C and is free of gluten and many of the most common allergens.
Who It’s For
Since it has such a high percentage of vitamin C, we truly recommend this for those who know that they have a vitamin C deficiency, as it might not be necessary if you have normal levels. As with any vitamin or supplement, check with your primary care doctor before taking.
Best with Vitamin E: NOW Wheat Germ Oil
As we mentioned earlier, vitamin E is one of the most beneficial nutrients for improving skin health—it can help heal skin damage, hydrate, and protect the skin from harmful free radicals in the environment.195 It’s commonly found in nuts and seeds, but supplementing with vitamin E may be helpful for those with diets that aren’t rich in healthy nutrients. However, it’s important to note that many supplements provide much more than the recommended daily intake of vitamin E; many provide close to or more than the tolerable upper limit for vitamin E (1,000 milligrams).20 For this reason, NOW Food’s Wheat Germ Oil is our top pick for supplements containing vitamin E. One tablespoon provides a safe 20 milligrams of vitamin E, and buyers can decide to adjust the amount based on their needs.
Who It’s For
We love that this can be ingested orally or applied directly to the face or body, and it will still leave you with hydrated, smooth skin. We recommend this for those who have rough or dull skin, as it can soften and make you look more radiant.
Best Blend: Nordic Naturals ProOmega-D
We love the Nordic Naturals blend of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D as an all-around nourishing supplement. The combination of EPA/DHA and vitamin D supports the endocrine system and immune health, which, in turn, supports healthy, clear skin.2122 Every batch of Nordic Naturals fish oil is crafted from fresh, wild-caught, omega-rich fish, and they’re committed to using only non-GMO ingredients.
Who It’s For
If you’re dealing with super dry skin or find that it takes a long time for your skin to heal from blemishes or scarring, it might be due to a weakened immune system.23 Start tackling the problem at its root with this formula that’s packed with nutrients to strengthen your immunity.
Best Probiotic: Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Platinum Series Skin+
The research on probiotics and how they affect numerous functions in the body, especially skin health, is constantly evolving and growing. But, increasingly, these studies suggest that a healthier, more diverse gut microbiome can help alleviate acne and other skin concerns.24 Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Platinum Series Skin+ supplement provides 90 Billion CFU of 12 bacterial strains, as well as vitamin A and lycopene to promote a healthy microbiome and, in turn, improve the overall condition of the skin.2526 We love that the serving size is one capsule, and each capsule features two strains of good bacteria that have been clinically studied: L. Johnsonii la-1 and L. Paracasei st-11.2728
Who It’s For
Hormonal acne can sometimes be caused, at least in part, by an unbalanced gut, so using a probiotic like this can help restore order and soothe them both.29 Often, hormonal acne isn’t affected by standard acne medications or products—so if you’ve tried everything, you might want to give this a try next.
Best Multitasking: HUM Daily Cleanse
As we mentioned earlier, it’s possible that an unhealthy gut could be the cause of changes in your skin, including acne. You’d need to work from the inside out to clear your skin—and you can with this formula from HUM. Since it works to support the body’s detoxification system, it helps to improve your digestive system as well as your complexion. It’s formulated with plenty of antioxidants and minerals, like spirulina and chlorella, both types of algae that have been shown to remove harmful toxins from the body.30 While you do have to take two capsules daily, it can be taken with or without food so that you can fit it best into your schedule.
Who It’s For
If you suspect that your acne could be tied to your gut health or digestive system, we recommend giving these a try. They work to regulate your system so that the skin can stay healthy from the inside out.
Best Chocolate: Sourse Skin Glow Bites
Contrary to popular belief, eating chocolate every day can actually make your skin better—but only if it’s these vitamin-infused chocolate bites from Sourse. These plant-based chocolates are filled with ceramides to promote a hydrated, healthy complexion that looks youthful and plump.31 With consistent use, you should see skin that looks more even and smooth.
Who It’s For
If you always forget to take your vitamins or find them hard to swallow, these are the perfect treat that you’ll love taking everyday and enjoy. We also recommend it for those who just want their skin to look a little more glowy and lively.
Where We Stand
Overall, our favorite vitamin for clear skin is the Megafood Skin, Nails, & Hair 2, thanks to its skin-nourishing ingredients like vitamins A, C, and E, as well as the minerals selenium and zinc. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly pick, reach for Nature’s Bounty Extra Strength Hair, Skin & Nails, which has lab-tested, effective ingredients to clear your complexion.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market, evaluating their key features in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We also consulted experts for their opinions. We then used this research to choose the best picks to inform this article.
Attributes we evaluated each vitamin for clear skin on:
- Nutrients and minerals included in the formula
- Dosage
- Health certifications
- Taste
What to Look for in a Vitamin for Clear Skin
- Vitamin A: When it comes to using vitamins to treat acne, Dr. Garshick recommends reaching for vitamin A. “It’s known that vitamin A derivatives, also known as retinoids, help to clear acne as they help to regulate skin cell turnover, which helps prevent pores from clogging,” she says. “Retinoids also work to stimulate collagen production, which can improve the appearance of scarring related to acne as well. At the molecular level, retinoic acid diffuses through the cell membrane and binds to nuclear receptors to promote cell turnover.” While isotretinoin (also known as Accutane) is available via a doctor’s prescription, lower-dose formulas are available over the counter. It’s also important to note that it’s a fat-soluble vitamin and that hypervitaminosis A (vitamin A toxicity) can occur with too much vitamin A. We love the Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Platinum Series Skin+ supplement and the Megafood Skin, Nails, & Hair 2, both of which have vitamin A in the formula.
- Vitamin B3: According to Dr. Garshick, vitamin B3 is another must. “A form of vitamin B3 or niacin, called nicotinamide, may be helpful in the treatment of acne through its anti-inflammatory effects,” she says. “It also may be effective at reducing oil production, which leads to shine and oiliness. Both topical and oral supplements have been studied and have shown improvement in acne.”
- Zinc: Dr. Garshick also recommends looking into zinc, though the overall verdict is mixed. “There is some evidence to show that lower levels of zinc can be associated with more severe acne, suggesting that zinc supplementation should help acne,” she says. However, there are some side effects. “When taken in high doses, zinc also causes some nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, forcing some patients to stop taking it,” she says. “There are different formulations of zinc available, so if you’re interested in taking a zinc supplement to treat your acne, be sure to check with a medical specialist first to ensure you’re taking the proper dose. Given its role in fighting bacteria and increasing concern for antibiotic resistance, further research needs to be done to determine the best dose and type of zinc that’s most effective for the treatment of acne.” Of course, as mentioned earlier, Dr. Garshick says it will take time to see any improvement when using vitamins to help clear your complexion, so patience is key. “We usually recommend giving most treatments for acne approximately two to three months before determining if it is effective or not,” she says. The Garden of Life mykind Organics Women’s Once Daily Multi, Solgar Skin, Nails & Hair, and the Olly Flawless Complexion are all formulated with zinc to treat acne-prone skin.
- Third-party certification: Supplements are not regulated by any governing body, so it is important to prioritize products that feature certified ingredients and seals of approval. Some common certifications include NSF gluten-free, non-GMO project verified, certified vegan, and certified glyphosate residue-free. In addition to specific ingredient-focused certifications, some products have been verified by third-party testing sites like Labdoor or ConsumerLabs. These independent companies verify that what is in the bottle matches what is on the label.
FAQHow do vitamins for clear skin work?
Certain vitamins may help promote clearer skin for some people. However, the ways that specific vitamins and minerals aid in doing this are still unclear. One 2013 study found that participants with acne had significantly lower amounts of vitamins A and E, as well as the mineral zinc, compared to those without acne.32 Continued research needs to be done to explain if and how certain vitamins work to clear skin.
How often should you take vitamins for clear skin?
The frequency of supplement use depends on the individual and the supplement. If you’re deficient in a specific vitamin, it might be necessary to take supplements daily for a few months at least. Additionally, it might take a while to see a difference in your skin—usually, the best results will occur when you can be consistent and take supplements daily. As always, follow directions from your doctor or healthcare provider.