Here’s a quick breakdown of which vitamins play the biggest roles when it comes to anti-aging and why. These are the items you’ll want to look out for on the ingredients lists of products:
1. Vitamin A:
Vitamin A is an antioxidant, meaning it helps clear away the negative effects of damaging free radicals in the body. You’ll most often find it in anti-aging products under the name “retinol” – a ready-to-use derivative of vitamin A.
Research shows it to be effective at reversing sun damage and helping to renew skin cells. It’s particularly good for under-eye circles, as well as an exfoliator to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
2. Vitamin C:
Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is another antioxidant and an ultra-important anti-aging ingredient. It serves a double purpose of both protecting your skin from the sun whilst also enabling the regeneration of other antioxidants too.
Not only that, vitamin C plays a critical role in boosting the production of collagen in cells, so skin becomes smoother and more firm.
You’ll most commonly find vitamin C in fruits (especially citrus), and vegetables too.
3. Vitamin E:
Yet another antioxidant, its scientific name is alpha tocopherol. Vitamin E is a fat soluble compound that helps skin cells to hold in more moisture. So it’s a great solution for dry or cracked skin.
(Check sunscreen lotions and you’ll office see vitamin E listed amongst the ingredients).
Good sources of this include green leafy vegetables, vegetable oils, nuts and seeds.
4. Vitamin K:
Vitamin K’s main job in skin care products is to clear up dark circles around the eyes. It achieves this by assisting in the constriction of blood capillaries, helping to break up the small blood clots that result in these dark circles.
The best food sources of vitamin K are spinach, broccoli, lettuce, kale and non-hydrogenated vegetable oils.
5. Niacin (Vitamin B3):
Niacin has serves several functions in the anti-aging process. You see, a key cause of dry skin is often a niacin deficiency.
But when your niacin levels are good, your skin’s cells are better able to retain moisture. This, in turn, makes them better at repelling bad stuff like viruses, bacteria and antigens.
Niacin also serves in the exfoliation process too, enabling dead cells to be shed so new, healthy ones can take their place.
Key food sources of niacin include meat, eggs fish, poultry and nuts.
Want to know what else to eat for healthier and younger-looking skin? Then take a look at our guide to Skin Care Nutrition.