As you probably already know, vitamins play an important role in the condition of your skin. That's why they are often used as ingredients in cosmetics. In our previous blogs, we have already spoken about vitamin A , vitamin B and B3 , vitamin C and vitamin E . A lot of them, of which we will list the most important elements in this blog. A short recap of these vitamins, enjoy!
Vitamin A in various forms
Most people will know the ingredient mainly from cosmetics as ' retinol'.Vitamin A consists of two different forms: preformed vitamin A and provitamin A .
1) Preformed vitamin A is known as the active form that your body will immediately absorb. It can be found in animal products such as meat, chicken and fish.
2) Provitamins are the inactive forms of vitamin A but they can be convert to the active form inside the body. This form is found in plants. In this blog, we will focus in particular on retinol and tretinoin ( or retinoic acid ).
How was vitamin A discovered?
The ingredient tretinoin was originally intended as an active substance to treat acne. Not only does it reduce acne, the skin is also visibly younger afterwards. However, the result depends on the correct dosage and concentration. Oral retinoids, or roaccutane, can have negative side effects. That's why Nomige chooses not to include vitamin A in her products.
Which effects has vitamin A on your skin?
Skin rejuvenating results are achieved as vitamin A stimulates the production of collagen. Topical vitamin A creams increase the production of type I and type III procollagen in your skin, giving it more firmness, fewer wrinkles and a younger looking look.
The efficacy of topical tretinoin, an inactive form of vitamin A, as an anti-aging ingredient has been sufficiently proven. Unfortunately, tretinoin is only available on prescription. A possible alternative is retinol. Retinol does have positive effects on your skin, but also a few disadvantages. Retinol mixtures are easily broken down by exposure to oxygen and light and are therefore unstable and difficult to make. Moreover, just like vitamin A acid, it has an irritating effect on the skin. That's why creams always contain relatively low concentrations of retinol, which of course reduces their effectiveness.
Vitamin B and the skin
Vitamin B is a water-soluble vitamin that the body does not produce itself, but absorbs through food. It is a collective term for no less than eight different types, of which vitamins B3 , B5 and B12 are the most important for your skin.
What is vitamin B3 and where can I find it?
Niacinamide, also nicotinamide or vitamin B3 , is an essential building material for the human body. Vitamin B3 can be found in all kinds of foods: meat and fish, poultry, nuts, seeds and cereals. In addition, the body can partly synthesize vitamin B3 from the amino acid tryptophan (a building block of proteins).
Which advantages does niacinamide have for my skin?
Niacinamide is a multifunctional ingredient for your skin, shortly we will explain the important reasons:
1. Reduction of hyperpigmentation in the face, more specific melasma spots.
2. Support of the skin barrier and associated moisture balance of your skin
3. Antioxidant that helps neutralize the oxidative stress
4. Soothing and calming effect on your skin
What is vitamin B5 and which nutrition does it contain?
Vitamin B5 , pantothenic acid or panthenol is a water-soluble vitamin that is important for the restoration of the skin barrier. The acid can be found in various types of food: meat, eggs, legumes, wholemeal products, milk and milk products, fruit and vegetables.
What impact does vitamin B5 have on your skin?
Supporting skin barrier function, where a well-built barrier is able to retain sufficient moisture. Due to its contribution to moisturizing skin, vitamin B5 can be used as a moisturizer.
Stimulating effect for the renewal of skin cells, as an effective effect on wound healing and thus the improvement of scars on the skin.
Oral intake of vitamin B5 improves acne and inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory effect.
What is vitamin B12, what food does it contain and what impact does it have on your skin?
Cobalamin or vitamin B12 is the only water-soluble vitamin that the body stores as a reserve supply. Sources of vitamin B12 are animal products, such as milk, milk products, meat, fish and eggs. The Vitamin also plays a role in cell production and is therefore important for healthy growth/renewal of skin, hair and nails. Don't worry! If you eat healthy and balanced, a deficiency will not occur!
Nomige uses vitamin B3 and provitamin B5 in its products. Niacinamide has proven its action as a stable and effective anti-ageing ingredient, making it part of our ingredients.
Panthenol is also used in Nomige's Ultra Rich Moisturizer (day cream), specially developed for mature or dry skin types. This ingredient attracts water, retains moisture and also improves the skin barrier.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is a water-soluble, highly unstable vitamin that is naturally present in some foods, such as peppers, oranges, spinach, parsley and kiwis. This vitamin is necessary for healthy growth and development. People cannot synthesize vitamin C themselves due to the lack of a certain enzyme. Therefore, it is an essential nutritional component with a recommended daily allowance of 75 mg for an adult.
Vitamin C in skin care
It has been proven that vitamin C is very useful as an ingredient in skin care products:
Prevention of skin aging and pigmentation spots,
Have a calming effect
Working as an antioxidant
Improve the effect of sun cream.
Screening of vitamin C in products
1. Look at the type of packaging
Airless packaging ensures that the product is not exposed to light and air, making it more stable.
2. Type of vitamin C
Ascorbic acid (L-AA) is the most efficient and pure form of vitamin C. Look for L-AA formulas with a low pH and a high concentration (> 10%).
3. Ranking in INCI list
INCI names can be found on the packaging of every cosmetic product. If it is in the top 3, it may work against skin aging or pigmentation. If an ingredient is at the bottom of the list, it only works as a pH adjuster or preservative enhancer.
WHAT IS VITAMIN E & WHERE CAN YOU FIND IT?
Vitamin E is a naturally occurring vitamin and exist in eight chemical forms: (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-) tocopherol and (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-) tocotrienol . Alpha tocopherol is the most relevant form for the human body. The preferential distribution of alpha-tocopherol in the human body over the other forms of tocopherol is due to the faster metabolism and removal of the other forms. This essential nutrient occurs naturally in many foods. Some examples of vitamin E sources are:
Vegetable oils (sunflower, corn, and soybean oils)
Nuts (almonds, peanuts and hazelnuts)
Seeds (such as sunflower seeds)
Green leafy vegetables (such as spinach and broccoli)
DOES VITAMIN E HAVE BENEFITS FOR YOUR SKIN?
YES! Vitamin E is a powerfulantioxidant that may help to reduce free radical damage to the skin. By doing this, vitamin E can reduce damage to skin (photoprotective effects) and early signs of skin aging. Besides its antioxidant activity, vitamin E also has anti-inflammatory and hydrating effects on the skin.
TIPS FOR SELECTING SKINCARE PRODUCTS CONTAINING VITAMIN E
Choose a product that contains both vitamin E and vitamin C . A golden duet
Vitamin E is not stable and sensitive to light and air exposure. It is therefore recommended to select a light and airless packaging
The most effective form of vitamin E is 'alpha-tocopherol'
Effective concentration: 1-5%
You can use it during the day, at night or both.
Want to know more about vitamins?
Vitamins are important for the human body and certainly for the skin. Therefore they are often used as ingredients in cosmetics.
