A Guide to the Topical Benefits of Vitamins for Your Skin
Vitamins can be incredibly effective in attaining clear, glowing, healthy-looking skin. But since the body can only synthesise a handful of vitamins in small amounts1, we have to apply them topically to enjoy their benefits.
In this essential guide to topical vitamins, Lancôme skincare experts unveil the most commonly used vitamins in skincare and the impact they can have on our complexions. Whether you’re seeking a vitamin C moisturiser or wondering if a vitamin A cream is going to be suitable for your skin, you’ll find the answers to your questions below.
Types of common vitamins in skincare
There are a number of vitamins that can be applied topically to improve the appearance and texture of your skin. Of course, not all skin types are going to elicit the same results from topical vitamins. Before introducing a topical vitamin into your skincare routine, it’s essential to gauge its potential compatibility with your skin. Read on as we dive into four common vitamins in skincare: vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B3 and vitamin A.
Vitamin C
This antioxidant is lauded by dermatologists and skincare aficionados for its ability to neutralise free radicals and protect the skin from external aggressors like sun damage and pollution. Vitamin C is a hero ingredient when it comes to tackling hyperpigmentation and dark spots, and brightening dull skin. It also stimulates collagen production to help enhance skin elasticity. If your skin is prone to sensitivity, you might want to apply a vitamin C cream on the face over a pure concentrated serum and introduce this topical vitamin slowly.
Who it’s best for: Mature or dull skin.
Vitamin E
Another antioxidant, vitamin E is found naturally in a lot of foods, but is vitamin E good for the face? In short, yes, due in large part to its antioxidant properties which help counteract oxidative stress – a process which damages (and ages) skin cells. Vitamin E also acts as a humectant and emollient, drawing moisture to the skin surface and sealing it in.
Who it’s best for: Dry skin, dehydrated skin, mature skin.
Vitamin B3 (niacinamide)
Vitamin B3, more commonly known as niacinamide, is an incredibly versatile skincare ingredient. Niacinamide is another brightening vitamin – meaning it’s ideal for dark spots and hyperpigmentation – but it is also renowned for its capacity to support the skin moisture barrier, comfort sensitised skin, and stimulate collagen synthesis. Because there are so many benefits of niacinamide for the skin, it is formulated in a multitude of skincare products, including serums and moisturisers.
Who it’s best for: All skin types, particularly sensitive, dry, or dull skin.
Vitamin A (retinol)
Revered as a powerful anti-aging skincare ingredient, retinol (a vitamin A derivative) encourages skin cell turnover. This can visibly improve textural skin concerns like blemishes, enlarged pores, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A vitamin A face cream or serum is also often used to target uneven skin tone and other forms of discolouration. Though highly effective, retinol is often too harsh for certain skin types – so it’s best avoided if you have sensitive or dry skin.
Who it’s best for: Mature skin, blemish-prone skin.
Layering vitamins and other ingredients
Along with other ingredients, a lot of topical vitamins can actually complement each other, so you might find it advantageous to layer multiple vitamins to target your skin concerns.
To help you find the best way to layer serums together, we’ve broken down some of the most effective vitamin pairings for clearer, brighter, glowing skin.
Niacinamide and vitamin C
These vitamins are powerful on their own; but combined, they can produce noticeable, synergistic benefits for the skin.
Niacinamide and vitamin C are renowned for their brightening and collagen-boosting properties, and these effects are amplified when they are layered together or applied in a single formulation. Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum is one such formulation, coupling vitamin C and niacinamide (along with hyaluronic acid and ferulic acid) to re-plump the skin, diminish the appearance of fine lines and winkles, and visibly correct dark spots and other discolouration.
Vitamin E and vitamin C
Vitamin E and vitamin C are both antioxidants, so they play a similar role in skincare – helping protect the skin from free radicals that damage skin cells and contribute to premature aging. Including both a vitamin C-based serum and a vitamin E face cream in your skincare regime can help tackle oxidative damage from UV exposure, environmental pollution, and natural ageing. Vitamin E also has anti-inflammatory properties that complement vitamin C – which can be harsh on more sensitive skin types.
Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid
Although not strictly a vitamin, hyaluronic acid is uniquely compatible with almost every other major skincare ingredient – including vitamin C. We know that vitamin C brightens skin tone and increases collagen production, while hyaluronic acid boosts hydration, comforts sensitised skin, and acts as a powerful plumping agent. Together, these two ingredients promote firmer, smoother skin – making them an efficacious anti-ageing duo.
To harness the power of both ingredients, you might use a hyaluronic acid serum and follow with a vitamin C moisturiser. However, if you’re looking for a more targeted approach, we suggest incorporating the Advanced Génifique Serum into your daily skincare ritual to diminish visible signs of aging and fortify the skin moisture barrier.
Retinol and hyaluronic acid
We can’t deny that retinol and other vitamin A derivatives have powerful benefits, but they can also be very drying on the skin. When integrating retinol into your skincare routine, it’s important to mitigate moisture loss to prevent dryness, peeling and redness. Hyaluronic acid serum can perform this role, locking in hydration on the skin surface.
Because retinol is so potent, it’s best to avoid unstable ingredients like vitamin C – at least until your skin has acclimated to the product. As such, we recommend that you follow your vitamin A face cream with either a pure hyaluronic acid serum or a hyaluronic acid-infused moisturiser that includes other nourishing ingredients like Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Rich Cream. Enriched with hyaluronic acid, squalane, peptides and niacinamide, this cream is designed to rehydrate skin, making it perfect for use after retinol.
If you love the effects of your vitamin C moisturiser, discover how ferulic acid and vitamin C can work together to brighten dull skin.
1https://www.britannica.com/science/human-nutrition/Vitamins