Vitamins A, B, C and E: Which one should I use for my skin?

Struggling with acne? Need to banish wrinkles and dark spots? Or is your goal to have smooth, glowing, and hydrated skin? There’s a vitamin for all your skincare needs, so here’s which is best for you.

Vitamins A, B, C, and E all play a major role in your skincare. Whether you’re dealing with acne, fine lines, dullness, or hyperpigmentation; there’s a vitamin right for you!

Vitamin A, B, C, and E are all antioxidants with active properties that work to transform the skin. They target a range of skincare concerns from signs of ageing, scarring, hyperpigmentation, dullness, and dehydration.

Vitamin A 

• Anti-ageing superstar
• Improves tone and texture
• Reduces fine lines 

Vitamin A is considered an anti-ageing hero. It targets the skin concerns we face as our birthdays tick by. Vitamin A stimulates collagen to reduce fine lines and improves cell regeneration reveal fresher, bouncier skin while fading age spots and hyperpigmentation. A fantastic addition to your skincare routine from your mid 20’s, Vitamin A comes in various forms including retinol, retinal, and retinyl esters (eg. Retinol palmitate).

Vitamin A derivatives may also increase the skin’s elasticity by improving collagen and elstin levels. We do need appropriate concentrations of the ingredient for a visible effect to take place so look for retinol concentrations of at least 0.1% ideally combined with the slower release of retinol esters to increase results without irritation.

It’s best to use topical forms of Vitamin A at night. This is to ensure the ingredients don’t degrade easily upon exposure to light, as well as reducing the skin’s sensitivity to UV light.

A few words of caution….

Vitamin A increases the skin’s sensitivity to UV damage. Applying sunscreen daily becomes a non-negotiable when you start using Vitamin A in your routine.

It’s important not to combine Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and Vitamin A. While AHAs boost the vitamin’s benefits, using them together (ie. Layering one over the other) is a recipe for irritation. Stick to applying each on alternate days.

Finally, but very importantly, Vitamin A should not be used if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

 

 Who should use Vitamin A?

Skin that has a had a bit of sun damage. It is also suitable for targeting fine lines, uneven skin tone, and brown spots.

 

 Vitamin B

There are many forms of Vitamin B but we’ll cover the 2 most commonly used in skincare; Vitamin B3 and Vitamin B5.

 

Who should use Vitamin B?

Anyone that needs a skin booster for all round hydration and a soothed complexion.

 

Vitamin B3 

• Strengthens
• Hydrates
• Minimises pores
• Reduces redness
• Oil regulating

 

Vitamin B3, also known as niacinamide, could be the hardest working multi-tasker in skincare. It offers SO many benefits!

To start with, niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier by increasing the production of lipids (ceramides in the outer layer of your skin). Lipids are useful in sealing moisture into the skin, keeping it supple and strong.

Vitamin B3 can also help with redness and oily skin. It calms irritation to reduce redness while regulating sebum production to minimise breakouts and shiny skin woes. You’ll also find large pores appear more refined. We told you it was a major multi-tasker!

 

Vitamin B5

• Moisturising
• Anti-inflammatory
• Skin conditioning

Vitamin B5, or panthenol is ideal for dry, flaky skin. It offers excellent moisturising properties to help skin maintain its softness and elasticity. Panthenol is also useful in calming inflamed, stressed skin and is often found in lotions to soothe sunburn and itchy skin conditions like eczema.

 

Vitamin C

• Brightening
• Fades hyperpigmentation
• Protects against environmental damage

 

Vitamin C should be a skincare stable for all routines – regardless of skin type or concern. Its brightening ability can replace any dullness with a glow, fade hyperpigmentation, and promote a smooth, even skin tone. As a powerful antioxidant, Vitamin C protects against damage caused by UV light and pollution exposure. Derivaties of Vitamin C usually have ascorbic or ascorbyl in the name of the skincare ingredient. Ascorbic acid is the pure form of Vitamin C and is a considered a star ingredient due to its skin benefits including increase skin plumpness and antioxidant properties. This means it can protect the skin from some of the free radicals we are naturally exposed to daily.

 

Who should use Vitamin C?

Anyone wishing to have an antioxidant in their routine and people looking to increase skin plumpness and radiance.

 

Vitamin E

• Super moisturising
• Targets scarring
• Skin conditioning

 

The active form of Vitamin E is called Alpha tocopherol or Tocopheryl acetate and is already present in your skin’s sebum. Vitamin E is an outstanding moisturiser so is ideal for dry skin types, encourages wound healing, and helps improve the texture of scars. Like Vitamin C, its powerful antioxidant properties to help combat pollution and UV damage, so can well with Vitamin C to create a synergistic antioxidant team.