If you have seborrheic dermatitis, you likely experience itchy, flaky, and scaly patches on your skin or scalp. While there’s no cure for the condition, following your dermatologist’s recommendations and practicing gentle skin care can help keep your symptoms under control.

Getting enough vitamins may also play a key role in managing your seborrheic dermatitis. Certain vitamins help support skin health and improve the skin’s barrier function.

While getting enough of these vitamins might help with some symptoms, taking too much of them can be bad for your health. Read on to learn how six vitamins can help seborrheic dermatitis symptoms and the best ways to get them.

1. Vitamin A

Vitamin A is important for our vision, immune system, and growth and development. It’s also essential for keeping skin and hair healthy. If you don’t get enough vitamin A, you can develop bumps on your skin caused by excessive keratin (protein that forms skin).

Foods high in vitamin A include:

• Leafy green vegetables
• Eggs
• Some types of fish
• Beef liver
• Orange fruits and vegetables, like cantaloupe and carrots
• Dairy products

Since vitamin A is fat-soluble, taking too much can be harmful to you. Adults should not exceed 3,000 micrograms per day. Taking too much vitamin A can lead to muscle aches, headaches, blurred vision, nausea, and, in severe cases, even coma or death.

2. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is known for supporting the immune system and reducing inflammation, including in the skin. Low levels of vitamin D may be linked to various skin conditions, including seborrheic dermatitis. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a higher risk of seborrheic dermatitis. However, it’s important to note that vitamin D deficiency alone doesn’t cause seborrheic dermatitis.

Vitamin D is found in foods such as fatty fish, egg yolks, cheese, and beef. It’s also added to some foods like orange juice, cow’s milk, plant-based milks, and some cereals. You can also get vitamin D by safely exposing your skin to sunlight.

If you’re interested in taking vitamin D for seborrheic dermatitis, ask your doctor about getting a blood test to check your levels. Oversupplementation of vitamin D can cause calcium buildup, which may lead to kidney or heart problems.

3. Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

Biotin is a B vitamin that helps keep your skin healthy. It supports the production of fatty acids, which are needed to keep the skin barrier strong. Biotin may help with seborrheic dermatitis symptoms because it can block some of the factors that cause the condition.

Biotin is naturally found in egg yolks, avocados, cauliflower, bananas, and fish like salmon. Research on biotin supplements in adults has had mixed results, but it’s generally safe to take up to 5 to 10 milligrams per day. Check with your doctor if you’re interested in taking biotin supplements.

4. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Riboflavin, also called vitamin B2, helps your cells grow and stay healthy. While it’s rare, a riboflavin deficiency can lead to skin disorders. Seborrheic dermatitis on the face may be a sign of riboflavin deficiency.

The recommended daily amount of riboflavin is 1.3 milligrams for men and 1.1 milligrams for women, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. You can get vitamin B2 from foods like:

• Beef
• Milk
• Almonds
• Cheese
• Eggs
• Spinach
• Fortified cereals (cereals with added vitamins)

Since riboflavin dissolves in water, some of it is lost when you boil food. To keep more riboflavin in foods, try steaming or microwaving them instead. The water solubility also means your body can more easily get rid of any extra through urine. There are no known toxicities of taking too much vitamin B2 from food sources.

5. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, helps reduce the skin’s inflammatory response and ease redness and irritation, both common in seborrheic dermatitis. Studies have shown that low levels of vitamin B6 can make it harder for your body to process proteins, which can lead to more inflammation and worsen seborrheic dermatitis.

Vitamin B6 is found in a variety of foods, such as fish, beef liver, potatoes, vegetables, and chickpeas. The way the body absorbs vitamin B6 from supplements is similar to how it absorbs it from foods. It’s best to get this vitamin from healthy foods unless your doctor recommends supplements. Since your body easily gets rid of excess vitamin B6, it’s important to consume it regularly.

6. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent damage to cell membranes, the protective layer around cells. Early research suggests that vitamin E supplements may help with other skin conditions like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. However, more research is needed to understand how vitamin E supplements might help treat seborrheic dermatitis.

You can find vitamin E in some food sources like nuts, seeds and their oils, and green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach. If you think you may not be getting enough vitamin E or if you have trouble eating these types of foods, ask a health care provider if they think supplementation could help. High doses of vitamin E may act as a blood thinner and interfere with certain medications, so be sure to get your doctor’s approval before trying supplements.

Topical Vitamins for Seborrheic Dermatitis

Topical treatments like antifungals (such as ketoconazole, clotrimazole, and ciclopirox) and steroids are typical first-line treatments for seborrheic dermatitis. However, certain topical products that contain vitamins can also help manage symptoms by supporting skin health, reducing inflammation, and improving the skin’s barrier function.

Topical vitamin products such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and vitamin B are available over the counter (OTC) as serums or lotions. These are typically applied after cleansing and before moisturizing. Be sure to follow your dermatologist’s recommendations and the instructions on the packaging. Milder forms of vitamin A (retinol) can be found OTC, while stronger doses typically require a prescription.

Vitamins like D, E, and B complexes can provide soothing and anti-inflammatory effects to skin with seborrheic dermatitis. However, they work best when used alongside other medical treatments like antifungal creams or shampoos. It’s important to always test any new topical treatment on a small area to ensure it doesn’t irritate your skin. For a more personalized approach, consult with your dermatologist about the best treatment plan for your seborrheic dermatitis.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MySebDermTeam is the social network for people with seborrheic dermatitis and their loved ones. On MySebDermTeam, more than 17,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand.

Have you tried using vitamins to help manage your seborrheic dermatitis symptoms? What dietary changes or lifestyle adjustments have worked for you? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.