Everyone knows the basics of daily skin care such as cleanse, exfoliate, wear sunscreen, and use a suitable moisturiser. However, what you might not realise is that vitamins play an integral role in your skin’s health. Vitamins A, B, and C provide many skin benefits when added to your skincare regime.
Adding Vitamins A, B, and C to Your Skincare Regime
Depending on the vitamin, it can either be taken orally or applied topically to receive skin benefits. As with any dietary supplement, you should first consult with your physician to make sure it is safe to add to your daily skincare regime if you opt to take the vitamin orally.
Vitamin A Skincare Benefits
Vitamin A belongs to a group of compounds with active retinal, retinol, retinoic acid, A carotenoids, and beta-carotene. Typically, humans get vitamin A from plant and animal foods. Once it enters the body as beta-carotene it is transformed into what is the retinol form of vitamin A.
Here are the skin benefits of vitamin A:
- Protects the skin against UV damage
- Slows the signs of aging
- Encourages healthy skin cell production
- Protects against infection
How Much Vitamin A Should You Take?
Women should take 700 mcg of vitamin A per day and men require 900 mcg per day. Foods such as eggs, dairy, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, spinach, and carrots contain ample amounts of beta-carotene.
Topical Applications
Vitamin A in the form of retinol and retinoic acid are available in topical forms. They readily fight wrinkles and are a valuable asset in the fight against the signs of aging.
- Collagen: Stimulate collagen production.
- Sun Damage: Helps repair skin damaged by UV exposure.
- Skin Tone: Evens out skin tone
- Age Spots: Reduces the appearance of age spots.
- Acne: Clears up acne and other skin imperfections such as whitehead and blackheads.
Vitamin B for Skin Care
Vitamin B is known to give skin a healthy and vibrant appearance. There are various B vitamins, and each one has a different benefit.
- Vitamin B1: Vitamin B1 helps wounds heal and also prevents scar development. Any time you sustain a severe injury or undergo a surgical procedure, it is advisable to up your B1 intake. Most adults require 1.1 mg of B1.
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): Helps improve the appearance and color of your skin. It is believed to strengthen the skin’s overall structure of not only your skin but also your fingernails and hair.
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Lack of B3 in your diet leads to a condition known as pellagra which is rough skin, although this condition is sporadic in civilized countries. Topical B3 has been shown to reduce the signs of wrinkles and fine lines, blotchiness, and elasticity.
- Vitamin B5: B5 is believed to improve the skin’s ability to absorb moisture.
- Vitamin B7 (Biotin): For generations, people have turned to B7 to improve hair growth but, in recent years, it has also been found to be a valuable skin care additive. It reduces scaly skin and gives a vibrant glow.
- Vitamin B9: This vitamin appears to have no specific skin benefits but is highly beneficial for pregnant women to prevent neural tube deficiencies in the fetus.
- Vitamin B12: B12 appears to play a role in skin pigmentation. It also seems to ease the symptoms of dermatitis.
Vitamin C for Skin Care
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that is believed to stimulate collagen production. Healthy skin always contains high concentrations of vitamin C. It is beneficial to as a dietary and topical. The vitamin may even help reduce UV damage on the skin’s surface. Both dietary and topical ascorbic acid should be used to improve the skin’s appearance and reduce the signs of aging.
If you have any questions about the benefits of Vitamins A, B, and C in your skin care regime or if you would like to discuss our many skin rejuvenation methods, then please call today to schedule a consultation with our medical professionals at the Laser Skin & Vein Clinic.
