What vitamin are you lacking if you have brown spots?

Author: Prof. Arden Purdy  |  Last update: Sunday, October 12, 2025

The deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause specific skin manifestations, such as hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair and nail changes [1].

What vitamin gets rid of brown spots?

Vitamins can be used to lighten your skin and lighten dark spots. Three of the best vitamins for lightening dark spots are vitamin C, vitamin B12, and vitamin E. Vitamin C helps your skin produce more collagen while inhibiting the formation of melanin.

What deficiency causes brown spots?

The hyperpigmentation related to vitamin B12 deficiency is more common in darker-skinned patients. Few other cases of skin hyperpigmentation due to vitamin B12 deficiency have been reported in the literature.

Does vitamin E help with brown spots?

Without a doubt, research proves using vitamin E and vitamin C together is great for skin (8). When combined, they can improve the appearance of dark spots, strengthen skin's defenses against the impact of environmental assault and brighten a dull complexion (9, 10).

How do you feel if your B12 is low?

Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia can cause a wide range of symptoms. These usually develop gradually, but can worsen if the condition goes untreated.
  • rapid breathing or shortness of breath.
  • headaches.
  • indigestion.
  • loss of appetite.
  • palpitations.
  • problems with your vision.
  • feeling weak or tired.
  • diarrhoea.

The #1 Deficiency behind Aging Spots

What organ is affected by B12 deficiency?

If vitamin B12 deficiency is left untreated, it can cause lasting side effects that affect the nervous system and brain. More severe side effects of vitamin B12 deficiency include: Peripheral neuropathy. Degeneration of the spinal cord.

What is the fastest way to fix B12 deficiency?

Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia is usually treated with injections of vitamin B12, called hydroxocobalamin. At first, you'll have these injections every other day for 2 weeks or until your symptoms have started improving.

Does vitamin C help brown spots?

Vitamin C has powerful antioxidant properties, neutralising free radicals to help protect the skin from damage caused by the sun's rays and other external aggressors. It's also gained a reputation for its ability to lighten areas of hyperpigmentation, helping visibly fade dark spots to achieve a more even skin tone.

What lightens brown age spots?

Age spot treatments include:
  • Medications. Applying prescription bleaching creams (hydroquinone) alone or with retinoids (tretinoin) and a mild steroid might gradually fade the spots over several months. ...
  • Laser and intense pulsed light. ...
  • Freezing (cryotherapy). ...
  • Dermabrasion. ...
  • Microdermabrasion. ...
  • Chemical peel.

How do I stop getting brown spots?

To help avoid age spots and new spots after treatment, follow these tips for limiting your sun exposure:
  1. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Because the sun's rays are most intense during this time, try to schedule outdoor activities for other times of the day.
  2. Use sunscreen. ...
  3. Cover up.

What are the facial signs of B12 deficiency?

The deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause specific skin manifestations, such as hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair and nail changes [1].

Is it okay to take 1000 mcg of B12 a day?

Even the lowest doses in B12 supplements are many times the recommended dietary allowance. Doses up to 1,000 mcg, though unnecessary, aren't harmful. Fortified foods. Many breakfast cereals, soy products, and yeasts are fortified with B12.

Can vitamin D cause brown spots?

So far, the research hints at a correlation between melasma and vitamin D deficiency, but research has yet to conclude that the vitamin D deficiency causes melasma. Excess sun exposure does seem to play a role.

What is the best vitamin to stop spots?

Vitamin B3 niacinamide (also known as nicotinamide) has been found to have several benefits for acne-prone skin: 1. Reduces inflammation: Inflammation is one of the main culprits behind acne, and vitamin B3 has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.

How long does vitamin C take to get rid of dark spots?

The skin changes seen with Vitamin C do not occur quickly. Vitamin C serum can take 12- 16 weeks to work on dark spots and 6 - 12 months to work on wrinkles. But it is a very good skin care ingredient and is worth the wait in most skin types.

What fruit has the most vitamin B12?

There are ten major sources of vitamin B12 fruits. These are apples, bananas, oranges, mangoes, strawberries, guava, avocado, pomegranate, kiwi, and blueberries. Apples- Apples rank first in the vitamin B12 fruits list.

What are the symptoms of B12 deficiency?

Symptoms include weak muscles, numbness, trouble walking, nausea, weight loss, irritability, fatigue, and increased heart rate.

How can I get enough B12 a day?

Adults (aged 19 to 64) need about 1.5 micrograms a day of vitamin B12. If you eat meat, fish or dairy foods, you should be able to get enough vitamin B12 from your diet.

What vitamin stops brown spots?

These include vitamin E, also called tocopherol, and vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid. These two vitamins are powerful antioxidant molecules. When combined in the same product, these effective anti-brown spot vitamins act in synergy.

Can CeraVe remove dark spots?

The CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum has multiple benefits that address various skin concerns. A few key benefits you may note when using the retinol serum daily: Helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and post-blemish dark spots. Promotes the cell renewal process, helping skin look brighter.

What vitamin deficiency causes sagging skin?

What vitamin deficiency causes sagging skin? A deficiency in Vitamin C can accelerate skin ageing, resulting in premature skin sagging and wrinkling. This is because Vitamin C enhances the production of the protein collagen, which is vital to providing the firmness and vibrancy that counteracts skin sagging.

What is the #1 food highest in B12?

Top foods with B12
  • Clams, 3 ounces: 84 mcg.
  • 100% fortified breakfast cereal (check the label), 1 serving: 6.
  • Trout, 3 ounces: 5.4.
  • Salmon, 3 ounces: 4.9.
  • Canned tuna fish, 3 ounces: 2.5.
  • Fortified soy milk, chocolate (check the label): 1.7.
  • Beef, 3 ounces: 1.5.
  • Nonfat plain Greek yogurt, 6 ounces: 1.3.

What are the negatives to taking B12?

High doses of vitamin B-12, such as those used to treat a deficiency, might cause:
  • Headache.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Fatigue or weakness.
  • Tingling sensation in hands and feet.

Why are doctors stopping B12 injections?

Coronavirus has made it necessary to move patients on B12 injections to oral treatment. Reason: RISK REDUCTION in terms of limiting your movement outside your home and contact with our staff and nurses. Nationally all NHS organisations will be stopping injections during this difficult time.

Previous article
Do you need to use moisturizer with vitamin C?
Next article
Why does Gen Z not wear bras?