THE ROLES OF VITAMINS IN COSMETICS
Vitamins are very effective ingredients in cosmetic formulations. You can find numerous different types in products ranging from skin lotions, serums, gels and of course, supplements. The most popular vitamins used by skincare manufacturers are vitamins F, H, E, C, A & B3. They all have a variety of effects on the skin such as fading hyper pigmentation, clearing age spots, reducing wrinkles, decreasing inflammation, and providing protection from UV damage. Some of these vitamins have been shown to reverse photo-ageing and reduce the appearance of acne scars, dark spots and dry skin. Some also work as a treatment for acne and can have skin lightening effects.
So, let’s look at the different benefits for each Vitamin in a bit more detail:
VITAMIN H
Long known for its benefits to hair and skin, it is often referred to as the “beauty vitamin” Otherwise known as Biotin, Vitamin B7 or Coenzyme R, Vitamin H is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin and has great benefits for the skin.
Vitamin H maintains hydrated and moisturized skin and helps us keep a young, attractive appearance since it plays a huge part in maintaining the health of our hair, nails and skin.
VITAMIN F
Vitamin F, (Linoleic Acid) also commonly referred to as an essential fatty acid, is fat soluble and composed of basic categories, omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids.
Vitamin F is essential to the growth and maintenance of healthy skin and nails – Without adequate amounts of vitamin F, your skin will be very dry, rough and dull.
VITAMIN E
Vitamin E is a naturally occurring antioxidant which is why it is frequently added to cosmetics and skin care products. Scientific studies have shown that Vitamin E (often known as, Tocopherol) has very specific benefits to the skin. It is a very effective antioxidant which can help reduce appearance of scars and dark marks. Vitamin E protects the skin from environmental pollution and has a protecting action against UV radiation and oxidative stress.
It is considered to be a protector ingredient as it is a major free-radical scavenger which is great as free radicals are extremely damaging to the skin tissue. Topical application of products containing vitamin E is said to result in skin brightening, smoothening, moisturizing, prevention of sun damage and premature skin ageing.
VITAMIN C
(also known as Ascorbic Acid)is a natural antioxidant that occurs in many different forms each with distinct properties. Several of these forms have been shown to reduce melanin formation and provide a skin lightening effect when applied topically. Vitamin C has the impressive status of being thought of by skincare experts as an anti-ageing and skin correcting powerhouse ingredient. Ascorbic acid vitamin C helps create younger-looking, firmer, smoother skin and patches of uneven skin tone can completely vanish.
VITAMIN A
Vitamin A, also known as Retinol – a type of retinoid. Retinoids are a group of chemical compounds related to vitamin such as retinyl palmitate.
When retinol (vitamin A) is applied to the skin, it is converted into retinoic acid which is the active form of the vitamin. This is the unique part that works effectively on skin cells in many beneficial ways. Retinol works to speed up the turnover of skin cells, fades hyperpigmentation marks, stimulates the production of collagen, and helps to hydrate the skin. Vitamin A is a bit of a skincare superstar! – it helps to increase the skin’s radiance and leaves the skin clearer and more even toned.
VITAMIN B3
Vitamin B3, also known as Niacinamide is an effective skin lightening compound that works by inhibiting melanosome transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes. This ingredient often works best when combined with other skin lightening treatments. Vitamin B3 is also known to be effective in reducing acne.
