Vitamins in skincare have many benefits for the skin including the prevention of pigmentation, (Did you know that three leading causes of skin pigmentation are genetics, sun exposure, and some medications?) the stimulation of collagen synthesis, and they can have an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory effect.
Here’s a simple breakdown of what they do:
Vitamin A (INCI: Retinyl Palmitate)
- Reduces wrinkles and rough skin
- Regulates sebum production
- Reverses and treats sun damage
Vitamin A is a great ingredient to have in your skincare product if you have mature skin. It is recommended to only be used in nighttime creams as it can make your skin sensitive to the sun (even on a cloudy day). You will find this ingredient in anti-aging creams.
You should not use this ingredient/ or any skincare product with this ingredient while pregnant.
Vitamin B3 (INCI: Niacinamide)
This vitamin improves skin texture and the appearance of dark skin spots. It also stimulates collagen synthesis and the production of ceramide-which helps to moisturise and strengthen the skin. It also reduces the rate of sebum excretion. Vitamin B3 is a great ingredient to have in your daily skincare products or formulations.
Pro Vitamin B5 (INCI: Panthenol)
This vitamin is a humectant. (Humectants are substances that attract water. In personal care products, they help hydrate the skin, hair, or nails). You will often find this ingredient in shampoos.
- Helps heal wounds
- Anti-itching
- Anti-inflammatory
- It’s great for dry, damaged chapped, inflamed or irritated skin.
- It is also good for mature or aging skin.
Vitamin C (INCI: L-Ascorbic Acid-which becomes unstable once in contact with air and water-Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate is more stable and water soluble. For oil soluble, use ascorbyl palmitate or ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate).
- Antioxidant
- Regulates collagen synthesis
- Regenerates Vitamin E
- Provides photo protection when combined with Vitamin E (photo protection=protection against sun damage)
- Good for use in rejuvenating creams as it has an antioxidant effect as well as anti-inflammatory properties.
- Good for use with acne prone skin
Vitamin E (INCI: d-alpha tocopherol)
- Antioxidant
- Protects against oxidative damage
- Provides photo protection when combined with Vitamin C-for the reduction of sun damage
- This vitamin is a great addition to all skincare products due to its antioxidant properties.
You can add this vitamin to all your daily skincare products/formulations as is also slows the oxidation process in oil based products/formulations.
