In this post we are discussing the most popular vitamins for good skin—specifically the power trio of vitamin A, vitamin C, and niacinamide. Forming the backbone of many skincare routines, these three ingredients work synergistically to transform your complexion and reveal your best skin yet. With this potent trio in your arsenal, you can make your skin goals a reality. We aren’t stopping there! This post wouldn’t be complete without including vitamins B5, D, and E as these have important skin health benefits too.

The most popular vitamins for good skin: A skin expert’s guide

For some making sense of skin care ingredients is a past-time —they are your 12 step Korean beauty enthusiast kind of person. You know them and you might even be one of them. But for many, the world of skin care is overwhelming to the point of paralysis. In writing guides like this we aim to share information that even the most savvy skin care buff can benefit from, while providing much needed clarity to skin care novices too. So without further ado, let’s dive into the most popular vitamins for good skin!

Vitamin A Skin Benefits

Vitamin A is one of THE most talked about vitamins in skin care. It is known for its ability to reverse signs of aging in the skin, as well as managing acne. What can make this ingredient a little tricky to understand is that it has many derivatives (different forms of vitamin A) with unique benefits. The following is an overview of very common types of vitamin A in skin care to know about.

Vitamin A derivatives and their benefits

Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that is often used in over-the-counter skincare products. You will often see retinol listed as an ingredient in skincare formulations, but in more potent concentrations it will have the percentage noted (eg: 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%). Once applied and absorbed into the skin, retinol is converted to retinoic acid, which helps to stimulate collagen production, accelerate cell turnover, and improve skin texture and tone [1].

Retinaldehyde, also known as retinal, is another form of vitamin A that is commonly used in skincare products. Like retinol, it is converted to retinoic acid in the skin where it helps to promote cell turnover and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles [2].

Adapalene is a synthetic retinoid derivative that is used in prescription-strength skincare products. It is a more targeted form of retinoid that is particularly effective in treating acne. Adapalene helps to regulate skin cell turnover, reduce inflammation, and unclog pores, which helps to prevent the formation of acne [3].

Tretinoin is another synthetic prescription retinoid with a great deal of research supporting its benefits in treating sun damage and wrinkles. It specifically blocks the activation of enzymes that break down collagen in addition to inducing collagen I synthesis [4].

In summary, retinoic acid derivatives such as retinol, retinaldehyde, adapalene, and tretinoin work by stimulating collagen production, accelerating cell turnover, and regulating sebum production. While their benefits can be great, there are some downsides to using vitamin A in your skin routine (especially in the case of prescription strength products) relating to skin barrier/sensitivity issues, dryness, and photo-sensitivity.

Read this post to learn how to use vitamin A properly.

Vitamin A Skin Products Most Popular Vitamins for Good Skin - Vitamin A

Retinol Clearing Oil – A gentle overnight retinol treatment for acne-prone skin.

Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum – A high-dose retinol serum featuring a 3.5% Retinoid Complex + soothing Squalane to minimise the appearance of pores, smooth texture for softer skin, even tone, and reverse the look of wrinkles.

Age Reversal Eye Complex – A nightly eye treatment holistically addresses and repairs the signs of aging that are unique to the skin of the eyes.

Vitamin C Skin Benefits

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that brightens skin tone, fades dark spots, and protects against free radicals and environmental damage. This vitamin is also a precursor to collagen synthesis. In other words: it is a necessary component for new collagen to be developed. Just like vitamin A, there are different types of vitamin C which have different effects and/or effectiveness in the skin.

Common forms of vitamin C in skin care

L-ascorbic acid: Considered one of the best types of vitamin C, L-ascorbic acid is a potent, bioavailable, and pure form of vitamin C. It helps in stimulating collagen production, reducing wrinkles, and improving skin texture. The down side of this form of vitamin C is that it can cause skin irritation at higher concentrations.

Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate: This form of vitamin C is highly stables and less irritating, but may be less effective compared to L-ascorbic acid. It still provides benefits such as brightening the skin and improving uneven skin tone.

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate: This oil-soluble form of vitamin C is known for its potent antioxidant benefits, ability to even out skin tone, and stimulate collagen production near the dermis. It is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate is another highly-lauded form of Vitamin C, known for its superior stability and efficacy.

Are you noticing a theme? There are two key considerations when you are looking at integrating vitamin C into your skincare routine:

  1. Bioavailability: An effective vitamin C product will be formulated to deliver the vitamin C into the skin for proper absorption.
  2. Stability: Vitamin C can oxidize quickly making it less effective so well designed formula will focus on highly stable forms of vitamin C.

Vitamin C Skin ProductsMost Popular Vitamins for Good Skin - Vitamin C

Biolumin-c Serum – A high-performance, stable Vitamin C serum enhances skin’s natural defense system to brighten, firm and help dramatically reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven pigmentation.

Biolumin-c Gel Moisturizer – A weightless moisturizer concentrated with a highly stable Vitamin C designed to penetrate the skin’s surface for immediate, glowing results while also helping to strengthen skin’s moisture barrier.

Biolumin-c Eye Serum – A potent serum delivers supercharged Vitamin C to the skin around the eyes to dramatically brighten and visibly firm.

Vitamin B3 / Niacinamide Skin Benefits

Niacinamide, a form of Vitamin B3, tackles a wide range of skin concerns, including minimizing inflammation, reducing oil production, and inhibiting pigmentation. You will often find this ingredient in acne products and pigment regulating products. In the former case, it is a wonderful ingredient to manage acne without compromising the skin barrier. In fact, niacinamide can enhance the skin barrier by stimulating the production of ceramides, a key component of the skin barrier. In the case of reducing hyperpigmentation, the mechanism by which vitamin B3 works is the reduction of melanosome transfer from melanocytes to surrounding skin cells.[1]

Niacinamide Skin Products Most Popular Vitamins for Good Skin - Niacinamide

Vitamin B3 + Zinc Serum – A lightweight serum to manage acne and inhibit post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

PowerBright Dark Spot Serum – Light-diffusing technology begins to balance the appearance of uneven pigmentation after one use, and continues working over time with potent niacinamide and hexylresorcinol to help fade dark spots.

Vitamin B5 Skin Benefits

Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid is commonly used in skincare for its hydration, healing, and anti-inflammatory properties. Pantothenic acid helps to reduce skin redness and address acne as it has been shown to increase the breakdown of excess sebum in the pores. It also supports the skin barrier function making it a very common ingredient in moisturizers. In this capacity it helps to retain moisture in the skin, leaving it hydrated, plump, and supple.

Vitamin D Skin Benefits

Vitamin D in skin care has a largely protective role. It has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, it regulates skin cell growth and repair, and strengthens the skin barrier. It also plays a critical role in protecting DNA.

Read more about the benefits of vitamin D for your skin here.

Vitamin E Skin Benefits

Vitamin E is best known for its antioxidant and healing properties, but did you know it also has photo-protective benefits and shows promise in the treatment of atopic dermatitis? This ingredient might not be as glamorous as vitamin A, but its benefits play a vital role in supporting healthy skin.

As you can see there are many different ways you can integrate the most popular vitamins for good skin into your routine, including through your diet which (we didn’t get into here). While diet and supplementation are excellent and important ways to maintain overall health, for the most visible impact on your skin using topical ingredients that are concentrated with these vitamins will yield the best results. Hopefully this guide has helped to shed light on how these vitamins specifically benefit your skin and you will feel confident in making them a part of your at-home routine. If you’re left with questions or would like more personalized guidance, we invite you to book a consultation with one of our certified skin therapists.