Benefits of Iodine on Skin - Why You Should Use It
Iodine has been the star under the spotlight lately in the health and wellness world. While typically associated with thyroid health, iodine is now known to play a critical role in maintaining the health of our largest organ – the skin.
Let’s delve into the details of Iodine and why it is essential to achieving and maintaining healthy, radiant skin.
What Is Iodine?
Iodine is a type of essential mineral, which means that you need it to function. However, your body can’t synthesize it itself, so you have to find it in your diet or through supplementation. It naturally occurs in ocean waters and the earth’s soil and can be found in many different saltwater and plant-based foods — there’s no shortage of Iodine!
Iodine is critical in producing thyroid hormones, which help support healthy metabolism and growth. Those who are low in Iodine can experience a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, weight management issues and cognitive problems.
Let’s look at how Iodine supports healthy skin.
Benefits of Iodine on Skin
Here are several ways in which Iodine can benefit the skin:
It Supports the Healthy Function of Cells
One of the most powerful effects of Iodine on the body is cell function. When the thyroid is properly supported, thyroid hormones can support cellular metabolism and energy production, which is essential for skin health.
Low Iodine can prematurely age the appearance of the skin, and those with hyperthyroidism commonly experience dull, dry and flaky skin.
It Maintains Healthy Oil Production
The skin naturally produces oil, controlled by sebaceous glands found throughout the body, including the face and scalp. When these glands produce too much oil, however, it can result in clogged pores and breakouts.
Iodine aids in balancing oil production by regulating the activity of the sebaceous glands. Lack of Iodine is associated with oil gland overactivity.
It Supports the Body’s Fight Against Bacterial Infections
Bacterial infections can occur on the skin, but Iodine can help support how the body manages these invaders. Not only can Iodine help to support the body against bacterial infections, but it can also support the body in its natural healing of existing ones.
It Supports the Body’s Healing Process
Iodine supports the body’s natural healing process by helping to manage foreign invaders and having a soothing effect. These two factors can also dramatically speed up the healing process.
In addition, Iodine helps your body’s regenerative processes, which is crucial in the improvement of skin health.
It Supports the Appearance of Skin Tone and Texture
Iodine supports healthy cell turnover and aids in the production of collagen. Cell turnover is the continuous process in which older dead skin cells are shed, and younger, high-functioning cells take their place. Collagen is a vital protein in your body that gives skin its structure and elasticity.
The result of this is enhanced skin tone and texture and minimized aging appearance.
It Reduces the Appearance of Scarring
Iodine supports cell turnover and collagen production, which helps minimize the appearance of scarring. When applied topically, it can help maintain skin health in a more targeted way.
It Fights Blemishes
An overgrowth of certain bacteria on the skin’s surface can lead to clogged pores and blemishes. Iodine can support how your body handles microbes, which leads to the soothing and calming of the skin.
Is Iodine Good for Hair Growth?
We’ve covered the benefits of Iodine for skin health, but is there also a link to hair health? Yes.
Good hair health is not just reliant on the status of the hair shafts and follicles; it is also greatly influenced by the status of the scalp skin. Because of the connection between hair and skin, Iodine is indirectly very beneficial to hair health and growth by supporting the scalp's surface.
Hair health is also affected by metabolic processes within the body. As we covered earlier, the thyroid gland controls many facets of the body’s metabolism. Supporting the thyroid gland with Iodine can help maintain metabolic health, which is ultimately very beneficial to hair growth.
What Other Parts of the Body Does Iodine Support?
In addition to skin and hair health, here are some other health benefits of Iodine:
It Supports Cognitive Function
Certain parts of the brain, like the hippocampus, can be affected by a lack of Iodine. Iodine is also supportive of mental wellness and nerve health.
It Supports Immune Health
Iodine helps maintain immune system health by supporting how your body deals with foreign microbes. Iodine also aids the body’s chemical and biological toxin removal processes.
It Aids Hormone Health
Iodine greatly affects the production of thyroid hormones, but it also plays a role in regulating other hormones. Estrogen and testosterone, which are fundamental to reproductive health and important in other areas of the body as well, are dependent on adequate Iodine levels.
How Do I Incorporate Iodine into My Skincare Routine?
How can you get more Iodine into your system? These are our recommendations for incorporating it into your lifestyle:
Use Iodine-Based Skincare Products
There are many topical skincare products out there that are infused with Iodine. Various types of creams, gels and serums can be applied topically to the skin to provide more targeted benefits.
While having sufficient levels of Iodine is helpful, dealing with something like an infected cut or acne may call for direct Iodine exposure.
Consume Natural Sources of Iodine
Below is a list of naturally rich sources of Iodine that you can incorporate into your diet:
- Seafood: Different types of seaweed, such as kelp and nori, are excellent sources of Iodine. Saltwater fish like tuna, cod and haddock also contain a lot of Iodine.
- Dairy products: If cows are fed Iodine-rich feed, then the milk, cheese, and yogurt they produce are a great source of Iodine.
- Eggs: Eggs are naturally high in Iodine; some are even enriched further with the mineral.
- Iodized salt: This is just regular table salt that has been fortified with Iodine. Cook with iodized salt and season your food with it.
- Fruits: Some fruits, like strawberries, cranberries and pineapple are a good source of Iodine.
Supplement With Iodine
If you want to boost your skin and hair health, supplementing with Iodine is a great option. It’s an easy and reliable way of ensuring your levels are good without worrying too much about your diet.
Take Caution With Dosing
While Iodine is beneficial in a multitude of ways, understand that you can take too much of it. Excess levels of Iodine on the skin can be irritating, and excess mineral levels can work against your thyroid gland and cause problems.
Speaking with your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement regimen is always a good idea. They can easily determine if a product or dosing is safe for your individual needs.
Iodine + JSHealth
If you’re looking to improve your hair health, simply taking a generic Iodine supplement may not be enough. It’s important to choose a formula that is specifically designed to target hair health to ensure maximum effectiveness. Not all products are created equal, so it’s crucial to select one that uses Iodine in a way most tailored to your needs or goals.
The experts at JSHealth have formulated the perfect supplement to support your skin and hair health on a cellular level. Our Hair + Energy Formula capsules harness a special type of kelp to deliver potent Iodine into your system.
To complement the Iodine, the team at JSHealth has also included Zinc in this formulation. Zinc works synergistically with Iodine to help maintain healthy skin, support metabolism, and aid in the function of the immune system.
Summary
Iodine is an essential nutrient used in many different biological processes throughout the body. Along with being highly beneficial for thyroid function, Iodine has many positive effects on the skin. This combination of metabolic support through the thyroid and skin support makes it highly effective at nurturing hair health and growth.
You can get Iodine through your diet by consuming more seafood and dairy products, or you can supplement with it. Supplementation is a great option if you know you are low on Iodine or looking for targeted skin, hair, and energy support.
Sources:
Collagen: What it is, Types, Function & Benefits | Cleveland Clinic