The best vitamins for skin are often found in a healthy, balanced diet. Most fruits and vegetables contain a lot of nutrients that help prevent skin aging as well as reverse skin damage. However, sometimes people do not eat enough healthy foods to keep the skin supple and glowing. Skin experts therefore recommend using commercial products with the best vitamins for skin.
Best Vitamins for Skin
Following recommend several vitamins that can work effectively to the skin. These include:
1. Vitamin A for Wrinkles
| Products Containing Vitamin A
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OTC (over-the-counter) and prescription products such as lotions and night creams containing retinoids (derivatives of vitamin A)
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| Proved Benefits
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- Smoothen rough skin
- Reduce fine wrinkles
- Reduce brown spots
- Make skin look younger
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| How to Use
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- Use retinoids at night and apply only in small amounts.
- Prescription retinoids are the most effective, with effects shown within 4-8 weeks, but they can cause skin redness, irritating, flaking and scaling that will last for several weeks and even longer.
- Beginners are advised to use OTC products to experience fewer side effects. As retinol in these products convert slowly to retinoic acid which is the active ingredient in prescription products.
- To avoid skin irritation, use retinoids every 2 or 3 nights, for 2 weeks initially, then use nightly.
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| Recommended Products
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- RoC Multi-Correxion Night Treatment
- Neutrogena Dermatologics Retinol NX Serum
- Atralin
- Olay Professional Pro-X Deep Wrinkle Treatment
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2. Vitamin B3 for Redness
| Products Containing Vitamin B3
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Creams, lotions, and serums containing niacinamide (vitamin B3)
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| Proved Benefits
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- Increase the production of fatty acids and ceramides in the skin, which form a protective barrier
- Maintain skin moisture
- Protect skin from irritants
- Improve flushing / blushing due to rosacea
- Minimize dark spots
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| How to Use
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- Use vitamin B3 products both mornings and evenings.
- To reduce irritation and increase anti-aging benefits, use vitamin B with niacinamide, mixing them in your palm before applying.
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| Recommended Products
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- Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
- La Roche-Posay Rosaliac Anti-Redness Moisturizer
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3. Vitamin C for Spots
| Products Containing Vitamin C
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Moisturizers with 5% vitamin C or higher in opaque and airtight containers to keep them stable
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| Proved Benefits
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- Reduce free radicals, which trigger skin-aging changes such as wrinkling and sagging
- Help keep skin firm and smooth
- Reduce brown spots and discoloration
- Reduce fine lines
- When used with retinoids these products promote perfect complexion
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| How to Use
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- Use in the morning before using sunscreen to protect skin from free radicals generated by UV from sunblock.
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| Recommended Products
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- Avalon Organics Vitamin C Renewal Facial Cream
- SkinMedica Vitamin C+E Complex
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4. Vitamin E for Moisture
| Products Containing Vitamin E
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Sunscreens and products for after-sun exposure containing at least 1% of vitamin E
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| Proved Benefits
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- Help skin retain natural moisturizers
- Neutralize free radicals
- Prevent red, dry and swollen skin after sun exposure
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| How to Use
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- Use these products before and after prolonged sun exposure
- Use with vitamin C products for maximum effectiveness
- Salving vitamin E after sun exposure also helps since the anti-inflammatory action in vitamin E can reduce damage caused by the sun.
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| Recommended Products
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- Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock SPF 55
- Sunscreen Towelettes
- Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Powerful Sun Protection SPF 30 Daily
- Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Body Butter
- Clinique After-Sun Rescue Balm with Aloe
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5. Vitamin K for Dark Circles
| Products Containing Vitamin K
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Eye creams with vitamin K and retinol
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| Proved Benefits
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- Help to lighten dark circles under the eyes after four months
- Control blood clotting causey by fragile capillaries
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| How to Use
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- Use nightly.
- Use only once or twice in the first week to allow your skin to become used to retinol, then apply for another additional night every week thereafter.
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| Recommended Products
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- NeoStrata Bionic Eye Cream
- Jan Marini Factor-A Eyes for Dark Circles
- Quintessence Skin Science Clarifying Under-Eye Serum
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