Just because you eat the recommended daily amounts of fruits and vegetables and eat a healthy balanced diet doesn't necessarily mean that your skin is reaping all the benefits it can from the vitamins you ingest, including any supplements you may be taking. Of course eating right is important, but no matter how well you eat, your body can only deliver a certain amount of vitamins to your skin. So to help your skin look its best, choosing a skincare product with vitamins for direct delivery to the discolorations and wrinkles might be a better way to go.
Vitamin A and its derivate retinoids can be found in over the counter lotions and creams. It's a proven wrinkle reducer and has also been shown to reduce the appearance of brown spots. Because sunlight has an adverse affect on Vitamin A, in essence inactivating it, look for night creams or lotions containing retinoids. Use them sparingly, a small amount goes a long way. If you use a prescription retinoid cream, make sure you follow the instructions as improper use can result in skin irritation.
Vitamin B3, otherwise known as niacinamide is commonly found in skin lotions, serums and creams. It improves your skin's hydration and reduces redness. Niacinamide works through the increased production of ceramides and fatty acids which are crucial to your skin's protective layer. When the outer layer increases in strength, your skin is better able to keep the moisture in and keep the irritating stuff out. So if your skin is dry and sensitive be sure look for skin care products that contain Vitamin B3, and use it both morning and night as part of your skin care routine.
Vitamin C has been called an all around age fighter as it's been proven to reduce the free radicals that cause wrinkles and sagging associated with aging skin. It also helps to smooth your skin and helps to diminish brown spots. When used in cream that also contains Vitamin A you'll deliver a double dose of goodness to your skin. To gain the maximum benefit, look for a cream that has at least a 5% concentration of Vitamin C.
Vitamin E is another age fighter and is usually listed on the ingredients as alpha-tocopherol. Choose a product with at least 1% vitamin E. It's terrific at preventing dryness, and is especially effective if you spend a lot of time in the sun (which you do only when wearing sunscreen…right??). Look for a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which contains both Vitamins C and E, since the Vitamin C helps vitamin E's anti-inflammatory properties.
