In an attempt to protect and nourish our skin the best we can, we often rely on products enriched with several vitamins and exotic extracts. But do we really know how to choose the right vitamins for our particular skin problems? Knowing which vitamins to choose and how to boost their efficiency can help you get better results instantly, so take a closer look at the vitamins you should look for when choosing your skin care products.
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.
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