Vitamins A, B and C are used in skincare products to support skin elasticity & help reduce the signs of aging!
Vitamin A
With potent antioxidant activity, Vitamin A and its derivatives;- retinoids or carotenoid. are a group of fat-soluble, unsaturated organic compounds.. Retinoids are from animal sources (eg fish, eggs, milk, cheese,) and include retinol, retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitate. Carotenoids are found in plant-based foods (eg carrots). A well-known example of a carotenoid is beta-carotene.
Retinoic acid exists naturally inside our cells, and is the readily usable active form used by the cells to perform its cellular functions. Vitamin A derivatives undergo an enzymatic conversion into retinoic acid before they can be used by the skin cells. E.g, When retinol is applied to the skin, the enzymes i convert retinol into retinyl aldehyde and then to retinoic acid. and takes a few weeks to occur. Products containing Vitamin A should be used for a few months before you start to see the effects. The anitoxident activity of Vitamin A effects collagen synthesis to stimulate elastin and collagen fibre production,- especially plumping up the epidermis in aged skin.
Retinol and its derivatives are commonly used in skincare formulations found on the market due to their anti-aging functions.
Vitamin B group
Although termed Vitamin B, - it is actually a group of vitamins of eight different forms which are water soluble and have their own importance in bodily functions. They are
- Vitamin B1 – Thiamine
- Vitamin B2 – Riboflavin
- Vitamin B3 – Niacinamide/Niacin/Nicotinic Acid
- Vitamin B5 – Pantothenic Acid
- Vitamin B6 – Pyridoxine
- Vitamin B7 – Biotin
- Vitamin B8 – Inositol
- Vitamin B9 – Folic Acid
- Vitamin B12 – Cobalamin
Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) is the most commonly used form of vitamin B used in skincare.
It boosts and regenerates the structural protein collagen, which reduces the signs of aging associated with loss of elastin (a protein). Scientific studies have shown that niacinamide can stimulate collagen and protein synthesis in the skin increase ,collagen in the dermis and improve elasticity of the skin. Niacinamide is antioxidant. It protects against skin damage caused free radicals from UV radiation and from environmental pollutants. Free radicals degrade collagen and elastin in the skin, leading to the formation of wrinkles. Vitamin B3 is found in anti-aging skincare formulations that can be used daily such as night creams and serums as well as in facial moisturisers and body lotions to help reduce appearance of wrinkles and provide hydration.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a naturally occurring, water-soluble vitamin commonly known as L-ascorbic acid. Below is a list of common other forms of vitamin C:
- Ascorbyl Palmitate
- Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP)
- Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THDA) (also known as Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate)
- Ascorbyl Glucoside
- Ascorbyl Glucosamine
- Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate
- Sodium Ascorbate
- Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Stable forms of Vitamin C; e.g. ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate are often used in carrier substances to achieve boosted production of collagen,- to help keep the skin firm.
L-ascorbic acid is the free form of vitamin C, which is not only the most quickly absorbed but is also the most effective when applied to the skin but is highly unstable it tends to be the least favourable when selecting which Vitamin C to use in skincare products. More stable forms such as ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate (oil-soluble version of vitamin C) and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate are often used in carrier substances to achieve one of vitamin C’s major functions: to boost production of collagen, to keep the skin firm due to smaller molecular size.
Vitamin C regulates the synthesis of collagen in a chemical reaction between collagen molecules, and can also stabilise collagen MRNA (– a molecule that convey genetic information for the making of collagen), subsequently increasing collagen production to repair damaged skin. Increased collagen production occurs simultaneously with a decrease in elastin production in sun damaged skin.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that provides protection from free radicals produced by the ultraviolet radiation from the sun and other environmental stressors by neutralizing free radicals, to prevent and reduce damage that can lead to the formation of wrinkles and aging of the skin.
What type of product is it found in?
Vitamin C and its skin brightening effcets is commonly found in anti-aging leave-on products and some wash-off products such as eye treatment creams microdermabrasion products, overnight creams, facial moisturizers and anti-aging serums for the face which help diminish appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as brighten the look of the skin.