In the skin care industry, the search for revolutionary ingredients that will take your skin care routine to the next level is a continuous one. Between AHAs, Alpha-Lipoic Acids and other ingredients, the addition of various vitamins might be seen as a well deserved bonus. Both conventional skin care products and those focused on natural, organic ingredients seem to harness the amazing power of vitamins and antioxidants in order to deliver the expected results.
However, although effective ingredients in skin care immediately get media attention, acquiring more knowledge is needed in order to get the desired results. Vitamins tend to be very fragile, so making sure that you store the products properly is just one of the things that might help you get better results. Here are a few of the most extensively used vitamins in skin care and their main roles:
Vitamin A is probably the most popular vitamins nowadays due to its wrinkle-fighting proprieties. A star component of anti-aging creams, retinol is a derivative of vitamin A. However, it is important to understand the difference between two common compounds, retinol and retinyl palmitat. Although they are commonly believed to be similar, it is important to know that retinyl palmitat causes less irritation, but tends to be less effective than retinol. Another important aspect that should be understood refers to its use. Retinol-based products are recommended as a part of the night care regimen due to the fact that it can cause photosensitivity.
B vitamins are one of the best moisturizers out there due to the fact that they are effectively enclosed in moisture in the skin cells. This wonderful characteristic is one of the main reasons these vitamins are also used for hair care products. There are many forms in which B vitamins are found in various products. B3 is also known as niacin, B5 is known as pantothenic acid, B7 is known as Vitamin H or biotin. Those who have dry skin should definitely scan the labels for this vitamins as they improve the skin’s appearance and even have anti-aging properties.
Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) is another ‘miracle vitamin’ that is used extensively in skin care products. Why? Because it helps cells produce collagen fibers, firming the skin, prevents aging by fighting free radicals and is even thought to help prevent sun damage.
However, this vitamin is also the subject of various controversies due to the fact that it is highly unstable and it can become useless in contact with air. Cosmetic companies are doing their best to maintain the properties of this vitamin either by adding glycerin, to prevent its disintegration, or by opting for dark colored package. Storing products in the fridge is a good way to extend the life of various cosmetic products, but the levels of humidity can affect vitamin C, so choosing a dark cool place might be a better idea. Also, just like in the case of retinol, using a moisturizing product is essential to prevent dryness. If you purchase a vitamin C serum, a concentration of about 20% is recommendable.
Vitamin E (tocopherol) is also used for its amazing moisturizing properties. Vitamins C and E are often used in combination for two reasons: vitamin C prevents vitamin E disintegration and vitamin E counteracts some of the dryness vitamin C can cause.
Vitamin K(phytonadione) is mainly used to combat dark under eye circles. However, it should be noted that it is not recommended for pregnant women or for those who are taking blood thinning medication. It is also believed that a combo of retinol and vitamin K is effective at preventing aging around the eye area.
Credit: Thinkstock Photos