Vitamins for A Healthy Skin

Vitamins in skincare are essential in providing antioxidant protection, which fights damage from free radicals and environmental stress, and by supporting skin health, through processes like collagen production, cell regeneration, and hydration. The most common vitamins used in skincare are Vitamins A, B3, C, and E, which target concerns such as signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, redness, and dryness, leading to a brighter and healthier complexion. 

The most important vitamins for your skin:

Vitamin A - or retinoids include retinol, retinaldehyde and retinoic acids (like Retin-A and Tretinoin).Retinoids boosts collagen production and cell turnover and help organize the cell layers of the epidermis. By binding to receptors in the skin, retinoids regulate gene expression to promote skin health. This process stimulates cell growth and differentiation, boosts collagen production, and repairs damage from UV radiation. Stimulating collagen production reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Topical retinoids are often recommended for acne treatment because as they exfoliate they help reorganize the cell layers which helps clear the pores. If you are using a retinoid (like retinol), you are choosing a bottom up exfoliant. That means the way it exfoliates is by revving up new cell production. As the newer, fresher cells rise to the skin's surface they push off the older (damaged) cells.

Vitamin B3 - is a popular niacin derivative called niacinamide. Niacinamide improves skin health by strengthening the skin's protective barrier, reducing inflammation, regulating oil production, and helping to even out skin tone by helping to fade dark spots and improve overall skin tone. It's known for its ability to improve skin texture as it reduces redness and inflammation, and enhance the skin's barrier function. Niacinamide helps improve skin's hydration and moisture barrier because it is a humectant that attracts and retains moisture in the skin, improving hydration.

Vitamin B5 - Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid or panthenol, is a powerful skincare ingredient known for its hydrating, soothing, and reparative benefits. As both a humectant and an emollient, vitamin B5 draws moisture from the air and locks it into the skin. This dual-action provides lasting hydration, making the skin feel plump, soft, and supple.

Vitamin C - This is an important and potent antioxidant that brightens and firms the skin and is an essential component in the formation of new collagen fibers. Collagen is vital for skin strength and elasticity.  As an antioxidant it helps protect the skin from sun damage, brightens the complexion, and reduces the appearance of dark spots. Free radical damage is a major contributor of premature aging. Vitamin C is effective at increasing protection from damage from UV rays from the sun. It also helps minimize blackhead formation.

Vitamin E- provides antioxidant benefits and strengthens the skin barrier. It acts as an antioxidant that protects the skin from damage caused by free radicals and helps maintain skin hydration. Vitamin E is anti-inflammatory, it helps reduce inflammation and redness. When vitamins C & E are formulated together they recycle each other, increasing their ability to capture free radicals.

Zinc - This essential mineral that plays a vital role in maintaining healthy skin. It helps

regulate oil production which can contribute to acne conditions. Zinc possesses anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe irritated and inflamed skin, making it beneficial for conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Zinc also protects against UV damage and is a form of a physical sunscreen that shields the skin from the sun. 

How to incorporate vitamins into your skincare routine:

Vitamins have a special affinity for the skin. Some vitamins, specifically vitamin A and vitamin D, have specific receptors in the skin that aid in their absorption and allow them to regulate skin cell functions. Other vitamins, like C and E, use different mechanisms to penetrate the skin's protective layers. Vitamins, when applied topically, offer anti-inflammatory and moisturizing benefits, making them helpful for conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Serums, creams, and lotions containing vitamins can be applied directly to the skin. Serums are the most effective method for absorption into the skin. Serums contain higher concentrations of the vitamins and use delivery systems like liposomes which surround and carry water soluble vitamins through the lipid rich barrier layer. A newer form of oil soluble Vitamin C; tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate can be found in highly efficacious Vitamin C serums. Some, combination formulas like in our C & E Antioxidant Serum use multiple forms of Vitamins C and Vitamins E for the most efficacious results. They have well documented benefits for the skin and are among the most popular treatment serums. Combining different forms of Vitamins C and E in a serum provides amplified antioxidant protection, enhancing the individual benefits of each vitamin, and improving the overall stability of the serum, leading to better skin health, increased collagen production, and reducing the signs of aging and sun damage.

It may be time to make sure you are incorporating these vitamins into your daily skincare program.

Elizabeth's Philosophy

Elizabeth believes in "Longevity Skincare", the idea that beautiful skin can endure throughout one's lifetime when utilizing the best that science and nature has to offer. In her forty plus years as a master esthetician Elizabeth discovered what really works, what truly makes a difference in creating a beautiful complexion. Longevity by Elizabeth Renee is a science-based skincare line that appreciates skin of all ages. As skin changes throughout your life you can keep looking youthful and vibrant, no matter what your chronological age. Longevity by Elizabeth Renee is a line that provides hydration, nutrition and protection from environmental aging. Your skin will receive high performance ingredients to help energize and repair its cells, resulting in a healthy skin with an enduring, vital glow.