Since the body cannot make its own vitamins, many people consume them daily for various health benefits. Vitamins can also be added to skin care products, and when applied topically they have various benefits as well. Found in many creams or oils, vitamins may protect skin from sun damage and keep it looking young, radiant, firm and wrinkle-free. Skin care products can get pricey, so before making purchases, consider reading the ingredients and looking for particular vitamins, as they may provide you the beautiful skin you desire.
Vitamin E
Alpha tocopherol cream, a type of vitamin E, may be useful in decreasing skin's roughness, facial lines and wrinkles, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Alpha tocopherol can penetrate the surface of the skin in order to have its effects. Additionally, it does not get oxidized, making it stable and long-lasting in skin products. In oil form, vitamin E may also be useful to reduce the appearance of pregnancy stretch marks.
Vitamin A
A derivative of vitamin A, Retin-A can be found in many skin care products. Retin-A can help improve skin's hydration, fine lines and wrinkles, skin texture, tone and color, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Retin-A can increase skin sensitivity since it stimulates the dead outer layer of the skin to peel. Since this outer layer protects you from ultraviolet radiation, it is important to wear sunscreen if you use Retin-A. The vitamin derivative works as well as it does because its small molecular structure allows it to penetrate deeply into the skin and interact with structural skin fibers such as collagen and elastin.
Vitamin C
A form of vitamin C, L-ascorbic acid is an antioxidant found in skin care products that helps boost the production of collagen. It helps keep skin looking firm, smooth and youthful, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It may also help minimize the appearance of scars and wrinkles and repair sun-damaged skin. Despite the benefits of L-ascorbic acid, it is unstable. When exposed to air, it oxidizes and becomes inactive and produces harmful free-radicals. Some companies sell more stable versions of vitamin C products that oxidize slowly, but they are generally very expensive.
Vitamin K
Along with vitamin C and E, topical vitamin K may help repair dark, puffy under-eye circles that become more prevalent as we age, according to the Mayo Clinic. The vitamin is able to enter pores down to the level where damaged blood vessels lie and increase microcirculation, This helps minimize the appearance of dark circles.
