Certain ingredients — including vitamins and nutrients — can give your skin the gorgeous glow of good health and youth. Discover how these ingredients work and where to find them.
Update your skin care diet
Advanced skin care research has identified certain compounds including vitamins and minerals that have a nourishing effect on skin. Why? Many are antioxidants that protect the skin from harmful free radicals, which are to blame for skin damage and premature aging.
Most experts believe that applying antioxidants topically is the best way for skin to benefit, so look for the below ingredients in skin care formulas, which you can add to your arsenal.
Vitamins
- Vitamin A. Research shows that vitamin A improves the appearance of aging – or acenic – skin and can even reduce brown spots. When incorporating vitamin A into your skin care routine, look for retinol, a pure derivative that’s known for its potent age-fighting power, visibly reducing wrinkles and lines. You can also talk to your dermatologist about another more powerful vitamin A derivative: prescription-strength retinoids.
- Product pick: SkinMedica Retinol Complex is a go-to product that contains microsphere-encapsulated technology/tri-retinol complex to encourage cell production to improve overall texture and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
- Vitamin B. Vitamin B is shown to improve the signs of aging — especially when it comes to fine lines. It also helps the skin naturally retain moisture, making it an ideal ingredient for dry or aging skin.
To add vitamin B to your skin care routine, look for formulas that contain niacinamide or nicotinamide — alternate names for this nourishing ingredient.
- Product pick: Nia24 features a variety of products that contain niacinamide, which strengthen skin’s barrier and reverse sun damage.
- Vitamin C. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that stimulates collagen production, fights free radicals and prevents sun damage. Experts recommend picking a product that contains at least 5 to 10 percent L-ascorbic acid, a form of vitamin C that’s better absorbed by the skin.
- Vitamin E. Research shows that vitamin E can shield skin from sun damage, providing protection from UV rays. And that’s not all — vitamin E also helps skin maintain hydration, promoting soft and smooth texture from head to toe.
- Product pick: When it comes to nourishing skin, don’t overlook your hands and feet. Reach for H2O Plus Hand and Nail Cream to treat cracked, dry or red skin. Packed with vitamin E, aloe vera and panthenol, this rich, oil-free lotion promotes hydration where it’s needed most.
- Vitamin K. When it comes to essential vitamins, we rarely think of vitamin K. But Leslie Baumann, M.D., tells Natural Health that vitamin K can support healthy skin by helping bruises heal faster. Plus, this vitamin can also reduce the appearance of dark circles.
- Product pick: Whether you want to improve the appearance of a bruise or diminish dark circles around your eyes, turn to Peter Thomas Roth Power K Eye Rescue. This skin-healthy serum contains a powerful blend of antioxidants including vitamin K.
Minerals
- Selenium. Skin cancer is on the rise, so it’s important to arm your skin with protection. In addition to using sunscreen every day, consider incorporating selenium into your skin care routine for added defense. Some experts believe that selenium may help prevent skin cancer when applied topically – and taken in supplement form.
- Product pick: You’ll find selenium in PCA SKIN pHaze 6 Collagen Hydrator. This uplifting formula features vitamins and minerals that hydrate while protecting skin from free radical damage caused by the sun.
- Zinc. Another great mineral to infuse into your skin care routine is zinc — especially if you suffer from acne. Zinc effectively slows the production of acne-causing oil to reduce the formation of new blemishes while improving the appearance of existing lesions.
- Product pick: Attack your acne with Topix Solvere Acne Clearing Toner Pads. Formulated with salicylic acid and zinc, these pimple-fighting pads soothe, treat and protect skin from acne, inflammation and irritation.
- Copper. For anti-aging benefits, look for products that include copper. This mineral aids in the formation of elastin — essential fibers that keep skin firm. In addition, research at the University of Pennsylvania found that topical application of copper peptides can quickly improve skin texture, lines, wrinkles and discoloration from the sun.
Other skin-nourishing ingredients
- Lycopene. This age-fighting antioxidant improves cellular function to ward off wrinkles. In addition, research also shows that lycopene protects skin from environmental damage and improves overall texture. While lycopene is often linked to a diet rich in red fruits and vegetables, there are plenty of products that offer an intense dose in topical form.
- Product pick: Protect your skin from daily stressors like the sun and pollution with Euoko P-40 Watermelon Defense. This moisturizer includes hyaluronic acid to enhance hydration and lycopene to boost skin’s natural healing processes.
- Alpha-lipoic acid. Unlike most antioxidants, alpha-lipoic acid can penetrate both oil and water, improving cellular function from the outer layer of cells to the inside of the body. Plus, it defuses skin damage caused by free radicals.
- Product pick: Janson Beckett Alpha Lipoic Night Cream transforms skin as you sleep. Boasting a potent blend of ingredients — including alpha-lipoic acid — this advanced formula visibly firms and moisturizes skin for a gorgeous, youthful complexion.
It’s important to stock your skin care supply the same way you stock your pantry: Look for high-quality products with key ingredients that promote the health of your skin. Whether you’re concerned with acne, aging or environmental damage, remember — skin that’s well nourished naturally looks and feels better.
See also:
Lycopene: Natural Ingredient for Youthful Skin
How Vitamins Can Help Acne
5 Innovative Ingredients in Skincare
Amatokin for Anti-Aging