Home » Skin Care » 12 Best Skincare Vitamins for Flawless and Radiant Skin

Fact Checked By Skin Formulations | Aug 4, 2021

Introduction – Choosing the Right Vitamins for Your Skin Concerns

Vitamins are some of the key nutrients responsible for healthy and glowing skin. They are present in a variety of foods, nutritional supplements, and topical skincare products. But knowing which vitamin will work best for your skin type is equally crucial. Each vitamin offers specific skin benefits and can address different skin concerns. You need to decode the science behind these vitamins to offer the best care to your skin.

Skincare vitamins should form an essential component of your lifestyle. They can protect your skin from environmental damage, reduce the signs of aging, and keep skin infections at bay. Moreover, these nutrients will improve your overall physical health too.

Whether you consume them in your everyday diet or use vitamin-enriched topical treatments, you must supply these nutrients to your skin. You should know which vitamins can address your specific skin concerns and the best way to use them. Here is everything you need to know about vitamins for healthy skin.

Top 12 Vitamins for Healthy and Radiant Skin

1. Vitamin A

Studies assert the anti-aging benefits of vitamin A or Retinol and its derivatives. This should be your vitamin of choice if you are struggling with wrinkles and signs of skin aging.

How Does Vitamin A Help the Skin?

Vitamin A or Retinol is a potent anti-aging skincare ingredient. It increases the skin’s cell turnover rate, which results in more youthful, vibrant skin. It also strengthens the skin barrier, reduces collagen degradation, and prevents trans-epidermal moisture loss. As a result, Retinol and its derivatives improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

This vitamin is an essential nutrient that you must consume as our bodies do not manufacture it internally. Luckily, this vitamin is found abundantly in fruits and vegetables and can penetrate the skin too. Incorporate vitamin A in your skincare routine and diet for firmer and youthful skin.

Foods That Contain Vitamin A

• Carrots
• Sweet potato
• Squash

2. Vitamin B3

Vitamin B3 or Niacinamide is a skincare all-rounder that can benefit all skin types. Here is why!

How Does Vitamin B3 Help the Skin?

Niacin, Niacinamide, or vitamin B3 is one of the best vitamins for the skin. It suits most skin types and offers multiple skin benefits. This vitamin strengthens the lipid barrier of the skin that protects it against dryness and infections. It provides soft, supple, and youthful skin. Moreover, it also regulates oil production on the skin, thereby preventing acne.

Apart from these benefits, Niacinamide is a powerful antioxidant. Therefore, it reduces oxidative damage caused by sunlight, pollution, and stress. It can lessen hyperpigmentation with regular use. Because of all these properties, vitamin B3 is often referred to as a skincare all-rounder.

Foods That Contain Vitamin B3

• Peanuts
• Fish
• Chia Seeds

3. Vitamin B5

Vitamin B5 or Panthenol is one of the best skincare vitamins for dry or sensitive skin. Here is how you can incorporate it into your skincare regimen.

How Does Vitamin B5 Help the Skin?

Vitamin B5 or Panthenol is an excellent moisturizer that also soothes and heals the skin. It improves skin elasticity and hydration and reduces inflammation. This nutrient helps to treat redness and rashes caused by inflammatory conditions or infections. In some cases, consuming vitamin B5 supplements can help reduce acne too. It will improve your hair health as well.

The best thing about vitamin B5 is that it is an extremely gentle ingredient that most skin types can tolerate. So, if you have skin that gets easily irritated or sensitized, you should include Panthenol in your skincare routine. It will repair your skin with mild hydration.

Foods That Contain Vitamin B5

• Avocados
• Broccoli
• Mushroom

4. Vitamin B9

Vitamin B9 or Folic Acid is one of the best vitamins for healthy skin if you have acne-prone skin. Here are the benefits of this ingredient.

How Does Vitamin B9 Help the Skin?

Vitamin B9 or Folic Acid decongests the skin and imparts a smooth appearance. It unclogs the pores, reducing the appearance of acne on oily skin. Vitamin B9 also improves skin barrier function to protect the skin from environmental damage and infections.

Additionally, it enhances the collagen levels in the skin, preventing and reducing wrinkles. It is one of the best vitamins for the skin due to its rejuvenating and anti-aging properties. As a bonus, Folic Acid also helps to improve hair quality and encourages better hair growth. So, you can kill two birds with one stone by adding vitamin B9 to your regimen!

Foods That Contain Vitamin B9

• Papaya
• Grapefruits
• Strawberries

5. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is arguably the queen of skincare vitamins if you are dealing with dullness and pigmentation. Here are all the reasons why you need this nutrient in your life!

How Does Vitamin C Help the Skin?

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that reduces oxidative damage due to sunlight, pollution, or stress. It reduces dullness and hyperpigmentation and evens out the skin tone. It protects the skin against photoaging when applied under sunscreen during the day. Moreover, it boosts collagen production in the skin and makes it supple and wrinkle-free.

It also has a brightening effect on the skin. This multi-tasking vitamin is a must-have in everyone’s skincare routine. With the right dose of vitamin C, your skin will look radiant, youthful, and blemish-free. So, stock up on those oranges and say goodbye to your skincare woes!

Foods That Contain Vitamin C

• Oranges
• Strawberries
• Mangoes

6. Vitamin D

The sunshine vitamin is not just crucial for bone health but also for healthy skin. Here is why you should not neglect this essential nutrient!

How Does Vitamin D Help the Skin?

Healthy doses of vitamin D can prevent premature skin aging. This is because vitamin D helps with cell repair, growth, and skin metabolism. It also helps to tackle dryness and conditions like psoriasis and eczema.

For the longest time, vitamin D was considered dangerous as it required sun exposure that could cause skin cancer. However, you can now consume vitamin D supplements if you have a deficiency of this nutrient. With oral formulas, you can get the right dose of vitamin D to maintain optimal bone and skin health. Plus, they come without the risk of skin damage due to prolonged sun exposure.

Foods That Contain Vitamin D

• Egg yolks
• Salmon
• Red meat

7. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is one of the best vitamins for the skin – whether dry or sensitive. It can also help those with aging skin. Here is how!

How Does Vitamin E Help the Skin?

Vitamin E is an amazing antioxidant that protects the skin against free radical damage. Moreover, it can also complement your sunscreen and provide added protection against UVB rays.

It is naturally present in the cell membranes that shield your skin cells. It strengthens and protects the skin. It is an excellent moisturizer that offers soft and supple skin. Further, it can provide instant relief from redness, itchiness, or irritation. This is why vitamin E is touted as one of the best vitamins for healthy skin. You can consume it in your everyday diet or include it as a supplement or topical cream to nourish your skin.

Foods That Contain Vitamin E

• Almonds
• Sunflower seeds/oil
• Avocado

8. Vitamin K2

Vitamin K2 is famous for maintaining good teeth and bone health. But did you know that it is one of the effective skincare vitamins too? Let us find out why!

How Does Vitamin K2 Help the Skin?

Vitamin K2 helps with the production of Matrix-GLA, an essential protein for the human body. Apart from its other functions, Matrix-GLA prevents the calcification of elastin in the skin. As you may know, elastin is responsible for maintaining the skin’s elasticity along with collagen.

Vitamin K2 deficiency can lead to low skin elasticity. It can make your skin more prone to wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging. Therefore, vitamin K2 is a crucial vitamin for its anti-aging benefits. It can delay and even prevent the appearance of wrinkles on your skin. So, consider vitamin K2 supplements if you are developing fine lines on your face.

Foods That Contain Vitamin K2

• Dairy
• Fermented foods
• Chicken

9. Vitamin F

Although not a vitamin in the true sense of the word, vitamin F has been endowed that status due to its benefits. Here is why you should not miss out on this nutrient.

How Does Vitamin F Help the Skin?

Vitamin F is a combination of two fatty acids – alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA). The former is an omega-3 fatty acid whereas the latter is an omega-6 fatty acid. These fatty acids form ceramides in the skin. Ceramides add moisture to the skin and strengthen the skin barrier. Vitamin F also reduces inflammation and soothes the skin.

Moreover, according to studies, these fatty acids can treat psoriasis, acne, and atopic dermatitis. They form a shield of protection against irritants and pollutants and are much-needed in an urban environment. You can usually find vitamin F in oil-based skincare products and foods that are rich in healthy fats.

Foods That Contain Vitamin F

• Soybean oil
• Olive oil
• Flaxseed oil

10. Vitamin B2

There are different classes of vitamin B and each one offers a unique set of skin benefits. Here is how vitamin B2 can heal your skin.

How Does Vitamin B2 Help the Skin?

Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin is an excellent vitamin to prevent skin aging. It encourages faster cell turnover, which results in youthful and radiant skin. It also helps to maintain optimal collagen levels in the skin, ensuring its strength and elasticity. Moreover, it reduces inflammation and encourages faster wound healing.

Another benefit of vitamin B2 is that it controls mucus secretion on the skin. It prevents excessive sebum production, which leads to acne. Therefore, Riboflavin can solve a variety of skin concerns ranging from aging to pimples. It is available in dairy and animal products and also as a nutritional supplement.

Foods That Contain Vitamin B2

• Milk
• Eggs
• Mushroom

11. Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is a popular stress buster that can help you with anxiety. However, it can take care of your skin woes as well. Here are some interesting skin benefits of this vitamin.

How Does Vitamin B6 Help the Skin?

Vitamin B6 encourages the production of melatonin in the body. Melatonin is a hormone that can improve your sleep quality. Moreover, it is trending as a popular skincare ingredient of late. This is because melatonin is a powerful antioxidant that can combat free radical damage, putting it at par with vitamin C and vitamin E. It also improves skin elasticity and combats aging.

Another benefit of vitamin B6 is that it reduces stress by releasing the happy hormone serotonin. Therefore, it prevents stress-induced acne, which is a common concern for many women. Because of these benefits, vitamin B6 features on our list of the best skincare vitamins.

Foods That Contain Vitamin B6

• Poultry
• Fish
• Soy beans

12. Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is another ingredient from the vitamin B family that has a lot of skin benefits. Here is why you need it in your daily regimen.

How Does Vitamin B12 Help the Skin?

Vitamin B12 or Cobalamin is a crucial vitamin for cell generation. It is essential for faster skin regeneration, which is required for young-looking skin. Moreover, this vitamin also helps to hydrate the skin and reduces inflammation. It is even used to treat dryness and acne, and skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Some of the added benefits of vitamin B12 include stronger nails and hair. This vitamin not just improves your internal health but also your external appearance.

In terms of food groups, vitamin B12 is largely found in animal products, but if you are vegan, you can pick fortified foods that contain the nutrient.

Foods That Contain Vitamin B12

• Meat
• Fish
• Eggs

To Consume or Apply

Most of these skincare vitamins are available as oral supplements and are also present in topical treatments. If your primary goal behind using these vitamins is to address a skin concern, topical creams or serums may provide faster results. Oral supplements can show quick results in some cases but may take several weeks to improve skin health in others.

However, regular consumption of vitamin-rich foods and supplements has the added advantage of improving your immunity and physical health. If you are confused about which route to choose, consult a dermatologist who can recommend the right products and dosage as per your skin type.

Conclusion

Vitamins for healthy skin are as important as nutrients for your internal physical health. They can heal the skin from within when consumed as food or dietary supplements. They can also repair and rejuvenate the outer layers of the skin when applied as topical treatments.

Apart from maintaining a healthy skin barrier, different vitamins can address several skin concerns. While some have potent anti-aging properties, others can keep acne at bay. So, understanding your skin type and selecting the right vitamins for your skin is crucial. When you incorporate these vitamins into your skincare routine, you will achieve healthy and glowing skin within no time!

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