Our Favourite Vitamins to Digest and Apply

Your skin is the largest organ in (or on) your body, and as such it’s an essential element to be taken care of. We try to look after our other organs as best we can; our hearts, lungs, liver, and so on all come under close scrutiny. But when we notice our skin isn’t looking or feeling so healthy, a lot of the time we’ll chalk it up to a bad night’s sleep or eating too much bad food and leave it at that.

The truth is, we need to do more for our skin if we want it to look fresh, glowing, and as youthful as possible for as long as possible, and if it’s not in the best shape, you’ve got to do something about it.

There are many things you can do to stay healthy and keep your skin in good condition. Staying out of the sun as much as possible (and using sunscreen when you do have to go out) is the number one thing that will keep your complexion even and keep wrinkles and aging sun damage at bay. Cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing is another. And then there are the vitamins. Vitamins are an essential part of any diet, and they all have different functions. Ideally, we will be getting the right amount of vitamins through our food, but if we’re lacking for any reason, there are also supplements that can be added to our daily routine, and, excitingly, applications such as daily face creams, serums or face oils that have vitamins included in their active ingredients, and can be applied to soak directly into skin.

So, just which vitamins are going to help the most when it comes to your skin’s health and perhaps especially your face? Read on to find out.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A does a lot for the body. It provides better eyesight, reproductive health, and it even improves the immune system. It’s also great for the skin. Vitamin A is converted into retinol thanks to the liver, and after that, it is transported all around the body via the lymphatic system. Interestingly, the skin is what is known as a ‘retinoid responsive’ organ, meaning that it can easily absorb vitamin A when it is applied – just as it would be in a skin cream.

Why is this a good thing? It’s because retinol stimulates new skin cell production. If your skin is lacking retinol it can become flaky and dry. You can find vitamin A in a number of topical cosmetic products including oils and serums, moisturizers, and even sunscreen.

Vitamin A can even help with more specific skin issues like acne. The retinoids can unclog pores, allowing other medicated creams and gels to work better. They also reduce breakouts by preventing dead cells from clogging pores.

Vitamin C

You’ll find a lot of Vitamin C in the outer layer of your skin (the epidermis), but it’s also in the inner layer (the dermis). Or rather, it should be. We can often be lacking, which is why finding a great face cream and body moisturizer with vitamin C included is a great way to make sure we top up our vitamin levels.

When it comes to skin health Vitamin C promotes collagen production. Collagen is the substance that keeps a little stretch in your skin and reduces wrinkles. Less collagen equals more lines, so it’s wise to boost your collagen production if you want to keep your skin looking youthful.

Vitamin E

Just like its cousin, vitamin C, vitamin E is also an antioxidant. However, its main function when it comes to your skin is to protect it against sun damage. Vitamin E actually absorbs the harmful UV rays that come from the sun. Not only will this help to reduce the risks of cancer, but it will reduce the development of dark spots and wrinkles. It does this via a process called photoprotection, which means it enhances the body’s ability to reduce the damage that UV rays can cause.

Vitamin E might be the reason you have oily skin, if you do have oily skin, that is. Vitamin E is found in sebum, the oil that is emitted through the skin’s pores, and when it has the right balance, it will keep your skin in good condition and will prevent dryness. Too much, however, will give you greasy skin.

Overall working these vitamins into your beauty and skincare routine will protect and enhance your natural appearance for longer. Just like everything else in life the more you protect your skin the better it will be.