5 Skin-Boosting Vitamins You Need For Healthy Skin

Knowing which vitamins are good for the skin is great to optimise overall health and increase your glow factor. 

The popular adage ‘beauty is only skin deep’ couldn’t be further than the truth if the latest scientific evidence is believed. Great skin starts by nourishing skin with essential vitamins both inside and out. 

Skin is our largest organ and the first layer of defence against environmental aggressors. Learning to nourish and protect the skin adequately will help to boost your overall look, feel and glow.

We asked skin experts to round up their top five skin-boosting vitamins to help skin look and feel at its healthiest and best. 

How do I know if I have healthy skin?

Healthy skin is well-hydrated, smooth to touch (neither dry, scaly, nor rough), has no strange or tingling sensations, and even skin tone.

What vitamins promote healthy skin?

We can get vitamins through a balanced diet, oral supplements, topicals and environment – here are the best for skin health: 

1. Vitamin A

It reduces fine lines and wrinkles, promotes radiant and youthful skin, prevents breakouts, and supports the immune system. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to dry skin and hair.

A good source is moringa oil which can be found in several skincare products today. It is widely considered the most proven skin regenerator around today. 

Diet: Experts suggest loading up a wide range of foods high in vitamin A, such as yellow, red and green (leafy) vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes and red peppers; fruits such as papaya and apricots. 

Skincare: An active ingredient, similar to retinol, is found in the Super Restorative Range. Organic harungana extract, sourced from Madagascar, is as potent as retinol but a more natural, gentler alternative. This helps promote collagen synthesis for firmer skin, restore skin density and promote an even-looking, radiant complexion.  

2.  Vitamin B

Incorporating B-vitamins could vastly improve your skin condition and promote cellular regeneration. It improves skin, hair and nail health, along with minimising pore appearance, helps to fight the signs of ageing, and treat conditions such as eczema and rosacea. 

There are eight B vitamins that you should know, and each has its function: B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin), B3 (Niacinamide), B5 (panthenol), B6 (Pyridoxine hydrochloride), B7 (Biotin), B9 (Folic Acid), B12 (Cobalamin). 

Diet: The NHS recommends a healthy balanced vitamin B diet by adding meat, eggs, fish, and legumes to your meals. There’s more information on the benefits of eggs at Innerbody.com. 

Since B vitamins are most commonly found in animal products, nutritionists advise vegans and vegetarians to supplement their diet with B12. 

Skincare: Tamarind pulp acid is rich in B vitamins, especially B1 thiamine and B9 folate. This plant acid is found in Pore Control Serum. In addition, you can discover panthenol in Total Eye Lift. It’s known for its stellar moisturising properties leaving skin hydrated. 

3. Vitamin C

The mighty vitamin C (also called L-ascorbic acid) helps to improve uneven skin pigmentation, boost collagen, diminish scars, and fight free radical damage.

If you are wondering what vitamin heals skin fast? It is vitamin C. It is a powerful antioxidant that can neutralise harmful free radicals and as an added health benefit – it has also been found to help reduce the severity and duration of the common cold. 

It also protects skin under the sun from sun damage, so you can use it during the day in summer.

Diet: Add more fruits into your diet, such as guava oranges, acerola cherries, kiwi, and berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and cranberries). Yellow peppers have double the amount of vitamin C than the green variety, one-half cup provides 137mg of vitamin C. Rosehips are particularly rich and just six rose hips provide 119 mg of the super C. Turmeric and chilli are also a great inclusion to up your vitamin C intake.  

Skincare: Superfood turmeric is rich in vitamin C and is the hero ingredient in Double Serum. Turmeric is known for its exceptional anti-ageing properties and helps fight significant signs of skin ageing. 

Acerola is another natural source of vitamin C and is found in the Extra-Firming Range.  

“In the Extra Firming range the Acerola extract boosts radiance. In Super Restorative, the vitamin C derivative in the day cream helps prevent the appearance of dark spots while a plant extract called montpellier rock rose (in the night cream) helps prevent the accumulation of melanocytes and therefore reduces dark spots.” Charlotte McHale, Clarins Training Manager, explains.

4. Vitamin D

According to experts, inadequate sunlight exposure is one of the most common causes of vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, short periods of daily sunlight exposure are recommended by the NHS. However, never go out unprotected. Apply your SPF first and if you feel like you are really lacking in vitamin D then take a  trip to a medical professional for advice on the best health plan for you. 

When the sun is too low in the sky during autumn and winter, the UK government advises taking a vitamin D supplement. 

Diet: We also get vitamin D from a small number of foods, including oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines, as well as red meat and eggs. 

Skincare: The majority of vitamin D we get is from sunlight exposure. But, by applying any of the Aromaphytocare range, you can get some vitamin D benefits. It’s infused with grapeseed oil which is rich in vitamins C, D and E. The combination of vitamins and fatty acids makes it great for minimising stretch marks too.

5. Vitamin E

Moisturises skin alleviates dryness, itchiness and flakiness, supports cell function, and strengthens skin barrier functions.

“Vitamin E is present in hazelnut oil, such as our facial treatment oils and body oils,” McHale says. 

Adding, “All Clarins natural oils such as sunflower oil (found in suncare range), avocado and almond oil are good sources of vitamin E for skin. It is also found in Clarins Lip Comfort Oils, thanks to jojoba oil as the nourishing ingredient. Vitamin E is also great for skin barrier repair, It makes your skin look smooth and supple.” 

Diet: Good sources of Vitamin E are plant oils such as olive oil, nuts and seeds. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can cause wrinkles and is known to be associated with skin diseases. 

Skincare: Vitamin E is a powerhouse – it helps to guard the skin’s barrier.  When looking for vitamin E in skincare, check for ingredients such as hazelnut and jojoba oil. Hazelnut oil is found in facial treatment oils.  

Request your skincare diagnosis via a beauty consultation if you want a more in-depth understanding of your skin’s needs.