WHICH VITAMINS SHOULD I USE FOR MY SKIN?

SUFFER from acne? Uneven skin? Want to banish wrinkles? Or is your goal to have smooth, glowing and hydrated skin?

We asked pharmacist and La Roche-Posay scientific communications manager Rachel McAdam to explain what vitamins you should be using depending on your skin concerns and goals.

VITAMIN A

What does vitamin A do to the skin? Vitamin A derivatives in skincare include ingredients such as retinol, retinal and retinol esters (for example, retinol palmitate). Derivatives of vitamin A are effective anti-ageing ingredients as they can play a role in improving skin tone by regulating cell turnover.

When should you use vitamin A? It is best to use topical forms of vitamin A at night.

How do you use vitamin A? Apply to clean, dry skin before bed. If your skin can tolerate it, use it every night, otherwise alternate nights.

VITAMIN B

What does vitamin B do to the skin? There are two main forms of vitamin B found in skincare (B3: niacinamide and B5: panthenol) Think of niacinamide as the skin allrounder. It is shown to balance excess oil, improve skin hydration and calm and soothe the skin. Vitamin B5 is the healing and soothing vitamin.

When should you use vitamin B? Both B3 and B5 can be used anytime, as often as needed.

How do you use vitamin B? Apply to clean, dry skin within your serum or moisturiser.

VITAMIN C

What does vitamin C do to the skin? Derivatives of vitamin C usually have the words ascorbic or ascorbyl in the name of the actual skincare ingredient. Ascorbic acid is the pure form of vitamin C and has been shown to increase plumpness in the skin due to its role in collagen synthesis as well as acting as a potent water-soluble antioxidant.

When should you use vitamin C? Anytime, but you will get the most out of it if used in the morning.

How do you use vitamin C? Apply to clean, dry skin with your serum or moisturiser.

VITAMIN E

What does vitamin E do to the skin? Vitamin E normally appears as the ingredient tocopherol. It is an oil-soluble antioxidant that plays a role in picking up free radicals and protecting the skin from damage, as well as supporting skin repair.

When should you use vitamin E?

Anytime.

How do you use vitamin E?

It is often included in many skincare formulations as one of the active ingredients so it can be used as part of your normal routine.