What is the importance of vitamins for the skin of the face? They play an important role in collagen synthesis, maintaining skin elasticity and hydration, and protecting it from adverse environmental factors such as free radicals and solar radiation.
Sun exposure is one of the main factors in skin aging. Solar UV radiation is proven to destroy collagen and also inhibit the activity of fibroblasts that produce collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid in the dermal layer of the skin. For these processes, a special term was coined - skin photoaging.
At approximately 40 years of age, the amount of collagen fibers in the skin decreases by about 2 times, which directly affects the firmness and elasticity of the skin. In addition, at this age, the amount of hyaluronic acid contained in the skin decreases by 40%, which leads to a decrease in skin hydration and thickness, and also reduces the degree of hydration of collagen fibers with water, which further reduces more skin firmness and elasticity.
Vitamins can reduce the negative impact of the external environment on the skin and also activate metabolic processes in the skin. Numerous studies have shown that the vitamins most needed for skin and hair beauty are vitamins A, C, E, K, as well as a complex of B vitamins.
The main effects of vitamins used in cosmetology:
- Vitamins A and C - are able to increase the production of collagen and elastin in the skin, thus increasing the skin's elasticity.
- The combination of vitamins C and E - perfectly protects the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, preventing the process of photoaging of the skin.
- The combination of vitamins A and K - effectively fights dark circles under the eyes.
- Vitamin C along with vitamin B5 - perfectly heals skin damage.
Below we will consider the 5 most important vitamins for the skin of the face and we will also tell you what functions they perform and give examples of high-quality cosmetics based on them.
Vitamin E for the face
Research shows that vitamin E is a very powerful antioxidant that helps reduce free radical damage to the skin. As you know, the latter play an important role in the aging process. Vitamin E for the skin of the face actively fights free radicals and, as a result, prevents its premature aging.
Studies have shown that vitamin E is also effective at absorbing harmful UV radiation from the sun. In addition, cosmetic products that contain a combination of vitamin E and vitamin C have been shown to be more effective at protecting the sun than products with either of these vitamins.
Scientists have also discovered that vitamin E can accumulate in the epidermis (the top layer of the skin). This leads to an increase in the hydrophobic properties of the epidermis, i. e. the evaporation of moisture from the surface of the skin will decrease and thus its moisture content will increase. That's why vitamin E for the face - reviews from cosmetologists confirm this - is a desirable component in any moisturizer.
Thus, vitamin E for the skin allows:
- protects from UV rays
- has powerful antioxidant properties,
- has anti-inflammatory action,
- helps in the fight against wrinkles and fine lines,
- moisturizes and soothes dry skin,
- reduces the risk of cell mutation and skin cancer.
forms of vitamin E
There are several forms of vitamin E, but the most biologically active and safe form is alpha-tocopherol (synonyms - "alpha-tocopheryl acetate", "alpha-tocopheryl acetate"). This form is recommended by the FDA. This form is natural (natural).
There are also synthetic forms of vitamin E, which are synthesized from petroleum products. Such ways are less active and safe. They will be indicated in the instructions of cosmetic products with the prefix "DL", for example, "dl-tocopherol" or "dl-tocopheryl acetate".
On the Internet, you can find many different ways to use vitamin E for the face at home, because. it can be bought cheaply at any drugstore, and the benefits for the skin are enormous. That's why vitamin E for the skin of the face - reviews of cosmetologists and patients confirm this - should be in the cosmetics bag of any woman who takes care of her appearance. Below, we'll show you how to use vitamin E capsules for your face and the skin around your eyes.
How to use vitamin E for dry and sensitive skin
Anyone with dry and sensitive skin knows how important and difficult it is to find the right ingredients to keep your skin healthy. Vitamin E is one of the few that can be used effectively without buying expensive serums and creams. In a pharmacy, you can freely buy bottles or capsules containing an oily solution of vitamin E inside.
Vitamin E for the face: how to use:
- Warm in your hands, then squeeze out 1-2 vitamin E capsules.
- Apply with light massaging movements into the skin.
- It is best to do this at night (before going to bed).
How to use vitamin E for the skin around the eyes
Vitamin E capsules can perfectly replace an expensive eye cream. However, keep in mind that pure vitamin E is a potential allergen, so it can cause severe allergic reactions if it comes in contact with the mucous membranes of your eyelids.
Gently squeeze 1 capsule into the palm of your hand and apply the content around the eyes with the tip of your ring finger. Use pats, as if you were leading movements, because. this is the least harmful for the delicate skin of the eyelids. It's best to apply vitamin E to the skin around your eyes at night and not rinse off until morning.
Vitamin E face mask
There are a large number of vitamin E mask recipes that you can make at home. Below are the most popular.
- Vitamin E Honey Mask for Dry Skin - Take a teaspoon of honey, add 2 Vitamin E capsules, mix well. Then apply this mixture on your face and décolleté. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes and then rinse with warm water. This mask can be done 2-3 times a week.
- Vitamin E Avocado Anti Wrinkle Mask - First mash half a fresh ripe avocado, then add 2 capsules of vitamin E and mix well. After that, apply this paste on your face and neck, leaving this mask on for 15-20 minutes. At the end of this time, wash it off with warm water.
Vitamin E for chapped lips
During winter, lips are often dry and cracked, causing very painful sensations. With the help of vitamin E, you can not only quickly heal the cracks on your lips, but also moisturize your lips well, thus preventing further damage to your lip skin.
How to apply:
- apply the content of 1 vitamin E capsule to the lips,
- better do it at night,
- avoid licking your lips, because. this will prevent the vitamin from being absorbed by the skin.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is most often found in anti-aging cosmetics because. it, with the use of the long-term course (about 24-36 weeks), has the following effect on the skin
- gives the skin an even color and texture,
- stimulates collagen production,
- reduces the depth of wrinkles and fine lines,
- reduces age spots,
- and also fights acne (blackheads and pimples).
There are several forms of vitamin A with varying potency. These include: retinol, retinol esters (eg retinol acetate), retinaldehyde, trans-retinoic acid, 13 cis-retinoic acid, etc.
Products based on pure retinol, and even more retinol acetate, will be much weaker than products containing retinaldehyde or retinoic acid. However, it is retinol that is most commonly used in anti-aging cosmetics. causes much less skin irritation. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to choose a quality cosmetic product with retinol. many manufacturers use cheap vitamin A substances (retinol esters) instead of pure retinol or retinaldehyde.
Products based on retinoic acid stimulate collagen synthesis more strongly and reduce the depth of wrinkles, however, as we have already said, they cause severe skin irritation (dryness, redness, itching), especially at the beginning of application.
The use of vitamin C
Everyone knows that this vitamin is a strong antioxidant, but its properties don't stop there. For example, numerous clinical studies have confirmed the effect of vitamin C on collagen and elastin fiber synthesis. We can say that after vitamin A, vitamin C is the most important vitamin to maintain the good condition of our skin.
Effects of Vitamin C on the Skin:
- protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation,
- protects the skin from free radicals,
- participates in the synthesis of collagen fibers,
- reduces the depth of wrinkles,
- reduces skin pigmentation,
- stimulates skin cell regeneration.
The term "vitamin C" (as well as vitamin A) implies not a specific molecule, but a whole group of substances, which include: L-ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl palmitate, sodium and others.
The most effective form of vitamin C is L-ascorbic acid. The remaining substances are just its predecessors, that is, they turn into it after application and absorption into the skin. Below are examples of quality vitamin C products.
Research into the effect of vitamin C on collagen synthesis has led to an explosion in the number of cosmetic products with this vitamin. Many patients leave praise for these cosmetics, while others do not see their effectiveness. What is it connected to?
It turned out that not only the form of vitamin C in the composition of the product is very important, but also its concentration and even the pH of cosmetics. No less important is the manufacturing technology (vitamin C stabilization), so that it does not decompose with air and light even before applying the cream or serum to the skin.
B vitamins for beautiful skin and hair
Studies published in 2003 showed that using B vitamins in facial skin creams and serums significantly reduces the effects of aging and fading of facial skin.
The most important B vitamins for the skin.
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is a very important vitamin for the maintenance of skin, nails and hair. Its deficiency leads to dry skin, the appearance of cracks in the corners of the mouth, premature aging of the skin, as well as dryness and brittle hair and nails.
- Vitamin B3 (nicotinic acid) - improves the ability of the top layer of the epidermis to retain moisture. It helps dry skin look softer, smoother and reduce fine lines on the face. Also used with other skin lightening products for pigmentation.
- The use of B3 in conjunction with vitamin A (retinoids) gives even better results in fighting wrinkles. But lack of B3 leads to dry skin, lack of nutrition of hair follicles and as a result leads to increased fragility and hair cross-section.
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) - Helps fight acne by reducing sebum production. In addition, vitamin B5 contributes to faster skin cell regeneration, but this effect is especially pronounced when combined with vitamins B5 and C.
- Biotin (vitamin B7) - is involved in the synthesis of collagen fibers, which form the basis of the skin, nails, hair. Its deficiency can lead to dry and itchy skin, dermatitis, hair loss and seborrhea of the scalp.
- Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) - helps regulate skin pigment production and prevents hyperpigmentation.
Below we have provided examples of quality and reliable creams and serums with B vitamins.
Vitamin K for the skin
It is believed that the cause of the appearance of dark circles under the eyes is fragile capillaries that burst and appear through the thin skin. Vitamin K, applied to the skin, has been shown by studies and patient reviews to reduce dark circles under the eyes as well as reduce the appearance of bruising and bruising. But the combination of vitamins K and A in face creams is even more effective at fighting dark circles than vitamin K alone.
In one study, it was confirmed that after 4 months of constant use of a cream with Vitamin K and Retinol (Vitamin A), the dark circles under the eyes of subjects lightened significantly. The researchers couldn't definitively answer which vitamin of the two contributed to this: retinol thickens the puffiness under the eyes, making it less transparent, while vitamin K has a lightening effect, which makes dark circles less noticeable. In addition, retinol increases the ability of vitamin K to penetrate the skin and interact with cells.
We hope that our article: Vitamins for Facial Skin Reviews - was helpful to you!