With so many skin care systems and different ingredients on the market today, it can be hard to decide where to invest your skincare dollars to achieve the maximum desired results. This will depend on your age and skin care goals. To help wade through the waters of acids, vitamins, and other ingredients, I wanted to try to put it all in one place to give you a basic overview in terms easy to understand. This is Part 2, for information on Acids, take a look back at Part 1.
Your skin is constantly battling the effects of the environment;
you can help by carefully choosing the right products for your skin. Some
vitamins have antioxidant properties and offer other benefits in the skin
renewal process. Antioxidants help to prevent and repair skin damage
caused by free radicals - alcohol, sun, smoke, and stress.
Vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate)
Encourages increased collagen production which leads to increased
dermal thickness and contributes to reduced water loss. Has also been
found to reduce hyperpigmentation, the sun damage or brown spots we often see
on the skin as we age.
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)
Stimulates collagen production and increases fatty acid levels
which helps reduce water loss. It has
also been found to be effective at reducing hyperpigmentation. Vitamin B3 also inhibits sebum production in
the skin which can help to reduce pore size. In addition, it has
anti-inflammatory properties.
Vitamin B5 (Panthenol)
Helps to increase moisture content in the skin and can reduce the
irritation caused by UV exposure.
Vitamin B5 is beneficial in scar treatment and in recovery from burn
injuries.
Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid – Sodium Ascorbly Phosphate)
An antioxidant used to fight free radical damage and combat the
effects of premature aging. Vitamin C also enhances collagen and elastin
formation and contains skin lightening properties.
Vitamin E
Has many of the same benefits as Vitamin C and is also known to
aid in wound healing by enhancing collagen and elastin production.
Vitamin K (Phytonadione)
Helps to improve appearance of the skin, acts as an
anti-inflammatory and reduces redness and bruising.
We can’t always avoid the damage caused by free radicals -
alcohol, sun, smoke, and stress, but we can help our skin to prevent and repair
the damage. Consider how your skin can
benefit from a good skincare regimen with products containing vitamins and
antioxidants.
Sources: Skin Care Science, Marty Glenn; The Esthetic Institute,
Betty-Ann Newton
Sources: Skin Care Science, Marty Glenn; The Esthetic Institute, Betty-Ann Newton
