Our skin needs all kinds of vitamins and minerals to function and thrive to give it the desired glow and keep it healthy at the same time. The use of different vitamins and minerals can have varying effects on both the skin and the body. However, it’s only in the last century that we’ve come to realise that the whole range of vitamins and minerals are, in fact, necessary for our diet as well otherwise we may go into a deficit that could lead to a debilitating condition.
Back in the day, a Polish biochemist named Casimir Funk studied the beriberi disease and realised that all patients had a deficiency in vitamin B1 or thiamine. Moreover, after realising that these nutrients were essentials for us, he started calling them, “vital amines,” with an etymology that comes from the word vital which originates from the root word “vita” which means “life” in Latin. If you’re looking to find out which Vitamins or minerals are good for your skin and the differences between them, we can help make this choice easier for you.
If you start incorporating nutrients in your diet and skincare regime, your skin can be protected against free-radical damage, evade fine lines and wrinkles for longer, and lessen its hyperpigmentation. There’s a vital nutrient out there for practically all the skin woes. Knowing what goes into your products gives you a sense of empowerment and enables you to make the right decision accordingly. Here’s some intel that you might need beforehand:
How Does Ingesting Nutrients Work Differently From Applying It To Your Skin Directly?
Applying a nutrient-rich product on the skin is a focused approach just for the skin. While ingesting vitamins and nutrients will lead to an equal distribution of the goodness and it will benefit not just your skin but also the body. So the secret to glowing skin can also be taking the supplements that your skin needs for it to thrive. Here are the most vital ones:
1. Silica
How It Helps:
Silica refers to a group of minerals composed of silicon and oxygen, the two most commonly found elements in the earth’s crust.
Silica when used as a supplement can improve collagen production. Studies were done by ICMR which show that silica catalyses the production of skin protein collagen and helps to keep your skin elastic which can halt the aging process. Other than that, it’s also known to boost the bone-strengthening process of the body. The compound is essential for enabling the flow of calcium to make sure the bones remain strong and don’t turn brittle. Regular use can help remove aluminum from the body protecting the body from aluminum toxicity.
How To Use It:
Ideally, one should choose supplements that can be ingested easily so that the benefits of silica reach the skin, the body, and the bones. Silica supplements by Hi Life can be bought online on the Hi Life website, these are advanced collagen boosting silica drops that can be ingested in a host of ways by adding it to your accompanying drink like a glass of water, a cup of green tea, or even your evening cocktail. The Hi Life silica drops are a highly concentrated,100% bioavailable formula designed to be a one-stop solution for boosting the collagen and repairing the skin to make it glow from within.
2. Vitamin E
How It Helps:
Vitamin E is referred to as the alpha-tocopherol. One of the most commonly used vitamins in the skincare industry, we know that it’s a moisturising antioxidant that guards the skin barrier and makes the skin hydration process better. Vitamin E also safeguards the skin from oxidation by free radicals and protects the skin from the harmful UV rays. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, when Vitamin E meets Vitamin C, it has undeniable benefits against the UV rays.
How To Use It:
It can either be consumed in the form of a capsule or the topical application can be done with products rich in Vitamin E. It is also used in the treatment of burns, surgical scars, and wounds. Consuming it also helps the body with skin-cell regeneration.
3. Vitamin C
How It Helps:
Vitamin C is another name from the L-ascorbic acid. The essential vitamin is an antioxidant that helps boost collagen production, decrease pigmentation, and protect against all the gunk and dirt thrown at the skin during the day. Vitamin C also has a good reputation for neutralising radicals and protecting skin from pollution and the harsh UV rays of the sun. Using Vitamin C also helps treat hyperpigmentation and the visible signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. The topical application of vitamin C can effectively decrease discoloration and other forms of pigmentation.
But know that Vitamin C is an extremely unstable ingredient that can oxidise easily. If exposed to sunlight, it breaks down quite easily and can be ineffective. The best products come in air-tight containers, but if your vial of Vitamin C starts to lose its colour, it’s a sign that the formula is breaking down and won’t be as effective.
How To Use It:
The best combination of the C Vitamin is with Vitamin E and ferulic acid, together the formula is more stable and increases the sun protection for the skin when applied topically. When applying an essential Vitamin C serum, remember that a little goes a long way.
4. Vitamin A
How It Helps:
Vitamin A is a miracle worker when it comes to its pros for the skin. The most common derivative of Vitamin A is the retinol-rich products that are so essential for skin replenishment. Vitamin A was one of the first nutrients to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an ingredient to be used in topical creams. Vitamin-rich cream can bind skin receptors, strengthen the epidermis, boost collagen, and stimulate skin cell turnover. It also happens to be a potent ingredient that can be used to fight acne.
How To Use It:
With a strong ingredient like Vitamin A, pacing it out while applying on the skin works best if you’re just starting out. With products like retinol, start with a lower concentration and apply it every other night to build skin tolerance. A little goes a long way and helps decrease the chances of skin inflammation and irritation. Applying it evenly four to six weeks will start to show results as it’s an ingredient that shows its effects only with long-term use.
5. Vitamin D
How It Helps:
Our bodies produce Vitamin D to protect us against the harmful UV rays of the sun but it’s not enough especially with today’s rising toxic pollution levels. Research done by ICMR (Indian Council Of Medical Research) has found links between Vitamin D deficiency and diseases like cancer and diabetes. Moreover, besides protecting the skin, it also helps with bone health.
How To Use It:
Usually applying it topically is not enough as your skin helps with the production of Vitamin D. One can ingest it with Vitamin D enriched tablets but should always consult a physician before adding it to the routine.
6. Vitamin B
How It Helps:
By definition, Vitamin B is a little different from other essential Vitamins. It is an umbrella term for eight different types of Vitamins: thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), B6, biotin (B7), folate (B9), and lastly, B12.
The most common Vitamin B derivative used in skincare these days is called niacinamide. Niacinamide helps skin maintain its skin cell barrier, and reduces dryness, and soothes irritation and inflammation. It also increases lipids in the skin— called ceramides, making it look visibly hydrated. Any niacinamide-rich product helps lift the appearance of your skin tone and texture. It helps reduce skin pores, dark spots, pigmentation, inflammation, fine lines, and wrinkles.
On the other hand, Vitamin B5 otherwise known as pantothenic acid, another Vitamin B derivative, is great at soothing the skin and keeping it supple. Products rich in Vitamin B5 improve skin hydration, reduce moisture loss of the skin, and have anti-inflammatory properties.
How To Use It:
Generously using niacinamide twice a day gives the best results for the skin, as long as the product formula suits your skin entirely.
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