Navigating the alphabet of skincare options out there can be a monumental task, not too dissimilar from learning the actual alphabet many years past. (If you\u2019re using Vitamin A diligently though, not a soul can tell just how many.) <\/p>\n
I\u2019ve traipsed down the path for fresh skin before, ever-ager and overdone it on the vitamin front. The retinol purge is a familiar foe in this journey, all irritated skin and wispy bits (read: peeling). We\u2019ve all done it, slathered on the highest percentage we could get our little mitts upon and hoped for the best. Instead of our dream post-facial glow, one delivery of compromised barrier arrives at our basin. Akin to the vitamins we sip, stir and diligently pop, the dose is not the full story rather it\u2019s the supporting nutrients and behaviors that ensure optimal absorption. For more on the lettering and layering to know for plump and supplemented skin, I took my pores and bevy of beauty products to the experts. An alphabetic immersion if you will. <\/p>\n
A primer first, what exactly is a vitamin jammed into our bottle of choice? \u201cAn active is an ingredient that has a specific effect on the skin. Vitamins are active ingredients but not all actives are vitamins,\u201d Dr. Harshal Ranglani, MD, clinical and aesthetic dermatologist defines. Active vitamins include A, B, C and E while the new kids on the epidermal-block aren\u2019t considered so. The best delivery device to get said vitamins (active and otherwise)? \u201cVitamins have specific actions and target specific skin concerns, it is beneficial to use them in the form of serums in order to achieve maximum results\u2026Serums are formulations with a high concentration of a specific ingredient or active, designed to deliver a large number of active ingredients locally to the skin.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is with that locality and high concentration in mind, selection of serums and strength for your skin concerns is paramount. James Vivian, dermal delight (ok, therapist) and namesake of his Melbourne salon, notes something is better than nada, \u201cYou can’t just go for the strongest percentage of Vitamin C or prescription strength Vitamin A and expect your skin to be able to reap all the rewards\u2026 In saying that, people still want results. And anything is better than nothing. I think a lot of people go from doing nothing to something. And that needs to be celebrated and congratulated, but you don’t need to go to the full strength straightaway.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whether this is your first foray into the supercharged cabinet or you\u2019re a veteran of vitamins, meet your lauded and loaded skincare options to dose accordingly. <\/p>\n
Vitamin A:<\/strong><\/p>\n The high-achieving, premiere star of any skincare routine. Whether you\u2019ve ventured into Botox or not, the rejuvenating power of this ingredient is undoubtedly, suitably hyped. It comes in the form of retinoic acid, tretinoin, retinaldehyde and retinol itself on the clinical side but it\u2019s also found in its nature-bound sister bakuchiol. The combination of its collagen production boost and skin cell turnover speed up make Vitamin A a fine-line fighting, wrinkle reducing wonder. Not hyperbole, it’s truly that brilliant. But with that resurfacing prowess comes a drawback or two. Irritation is common, the aforementioned purge period and a heightened sensitivity to the sun.<\/p>\n Lesley Thornton<\/a>, holistic esthetician and founder of skincare outfit Klur doesn\u2019t hold back her praise when queried of her favorite vitamin. \u201cWithout a doubt, Vitamin A. It’s a master antioxidant, potent skin strengthen agent and is responsible for multiple cellular functions, including collagen production hyaluronic acid production, necessary for wound healing and accelerated cell turnover. I could go on and on about how essential Vitamin A is for the skin\u2014it\u2019s simply unmatched for overall skin health.\u201d<\/p>\n For those pregnant, nursing or otherwise sensitive to retinol and its many forms, Bakuchiol may be the option for you. The less potent but ever-enriching option is often touted as a retinol alternative – though it won\u2019t perform the miracles a tube of Tretinoin will, it also won\u2019t aggravate sensitivities in your skin cell’s tumble turn process.<\/p>\n As Emma Lewisham<\/a>, founder of her similarly named and proudly circular brand adds, the irritation common when introducing Vitamin A can be a hurdle for use altogether – one they sought to remove given it\u2019s essential nature for skin function. \u201cVitamin A has long been a dermatologist favorite, however it can come with harsh side effects such as skin irritation, burning or scaling. We use plant-based Vitamin A, Bakuchiol \u2026 (it has) been scientifically proven to deliver the same amazing Vitamin A skin benefits sans the irritating side effects.\u201d<\/p>\n No matter your form, Vitamin A is the best base for skin health across the vast majority of skincare concerns. And if these founders, derms and skin therapists all shouting it\u2019s praise doesn\u2019t verify this, perhaps their dazzling dolphin skin will. <\/p>\n Vitamin B:<\/strong><\/p>\n My personal favorite of the vitamin drawer, Vitamin B is a sensitive skin dream. A team player that boosts the effectiveness of Vitamin A and Vitamin C and a bonafide backup dancer who deserves a stage all of her own. You\u2019ll spy Vitamin B by way of Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) or B5 (panthenol) in pursuit of most skincare formulas. The soothing superstar is so commonplace, you could assume it\u2019s a snooze. Alas no, it\u2019s just a brilliant many-hat-wearer.<\/p>\n Formulations wizard Luu explains \u201cVitamin B3 is an amazing multi-tasker. It\u2019s used in skin care to reduce hyperpigmentation, brighten, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, reduce redness, encourage collagen production, and improve microcirculation\u2026 also helpful if you\u2019re dealing with issues like acne, rosacea, or skin inflammation.\u201d<\/p>\n Each unique in their own way as Lesley Thornton explores the B vitamins are not not one-note but rather uniquely talented, \u201cEach B vitamin\u2026 serves a different function. We use both B3 aka Niacinamide and B5 Panthenol \u2014just in different formulas as they have other effects on the skin. With our Supreme Seed, we chose to use B5 because of its immediate soothing, plumping, and hydrating effects on skins, as it acts similarly to a humectant. I wouldn\u2019t use Niacinamide as a rinse-off mask because B3 needs time for it to be effective, and should remain on the skin longer than 10-15 minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n Vitamin B doesn\u2019t stop there, in fact it can reduce what\u2019s known as \u2018casual sebum levels\u2019, a not so casual term for the persistently oily skinned. James Vivian<\/a> shares, \u201cIt doesn’t reduce the amount of sebum that our skin produces, but what it does is that it decreases the amount of oil that is sitting on your skin at any one time. So that’s great for an oily complexion, a skin that you know, is prone to some sort of\u2026 afternoon shine.\u201d<\/p>\n Whether you utilize solo or as part of a well-concocted moisturizer or routine, B may as well be capital-B for boosting-in-all-pursuits. <\/p>\n