We all know that we need vitamins to be the best, most healthy version of ourselves. Our skin also needs vitamins to function and be healthy. Different vitamins have different properties and benefits for the skin. At Jersey Beauty Company, we teamed up with Emma and Jane, Dermalogica skin therapists, to create an ABC of vitamins that are good for your skin, looking at why we need them and the kinds of products we could find them in.
Emma and Jane’s verdict? We need to do both.
Skin care products provide an instant fix of a particular vitamin topically. This can target problem areas more effectively and help with the regeneration of cells. It is also important, however, to have good nutrition to ensures long-term healthy skin. Some vitamins, such as Vitamin D, cannot be put effectively into products but where it is possible, we should try to have a combination of vitamins in our skin care products and in our diet, for the most benefit for our skin.
Why Do We Need It?
Vitamin A is brilliant for the skin as works to normalize cells. When cells produce too much oil, or not enough moisture, Vitamin A works to normalize that process. As Emma, Dermalogica therapist explains, “Vitamin A basically goes in there like a wonder man as such and it fixes the whole cell. If it is producing too much oil it pulls back on that and normalizes it. If it is producing not enough moisture it makes it works on producing moisture. So it is basically there to completely normalize the skin and it is brilliant for aging in that sense. If your skin cells stop to producing collagen or is slowing down, it speeds that process up for you as well.”
What products is it in?
Why do we need it?
Vitamin B works to heal and repair the skin. If your skin is sensitized, vitamin B works to heal and soothe damaged skin. Vitamin B can also strengthen skin and a deficiency in the vitamin can make the skin appear dull and unhealthy.
What products is it in?
Why do we need it?
Vitamin C is another brilliant vitamin for skin care. It stimulates your collagen production which can help improve the elasticity of your skin, also making it an important part of scar tissue repair. It is a key part of anti-pollution skin care, as it has antioxidant properties. Also, Vitamin C can help if you have dehydrated skin. Dehydrated skin is caused when excessive water is lost through the upper surface of the skin, the epidermis, normally in a process called trans-epidermal water loss. Vitamin C can help to work to reverse this process.
What products is it in?
Why do we need it?
Vitamin D acts as an antioxidant to protect your skin. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to chronic skin conditions, such as rosacea, eczema and psoriasis, so it is important we get the right amount of Vitamin D.
What products is it in?
Vitamin D is only taken into the body by being ingested. Alongside exposure to natural sunlight, oily fish and supplements are recommended ways to top up on Vitamin D.
Why do we need it?
Vitamin E is great protection from ultraviolet (UV) light damage; the vitamin is also key in the maintenance of the barrier function of the epidermis layer of skin. Finally the vitamin is really good for inflammation and calming the skin.
What products is it in?
Why do we need it?
Perhaps better known as linoleic acid, Vitamin F is an omega-6 essential fatty acid (EFA) and provides moisture and healing support to the skin. It can also help fight acne, soften the skin, and help to replenish the lipids that form part of the epidermal barrier.
What products is it in?
