A lowdown on the five most important beauty vitamins required for glowing and radiant skin

Vitamins are essential and vital components for the overall health of your body. They effectively regulate all bodily functions and are thus required in sufficient quantities. Vitamins also play an important role in our skin health and maintaining that radiant glow. Beauty vitamins, in this sense, are the category of vitamins that especially work to maintain the efficacy of our skin, and using them have a profound effect on our appearance. However, finding the correct beauty vitamins for your skin can be a task. We discuss five such beauty vitamins you must use if you want glowing, radiant skin.

Vitamin E

Touted as one of the main ‘beauty’ vitamins, vitamin E is vital for nourished and healthy skin. Also called alpha-tocopherol, vitamin E has been a staple in the skincare industry for a long time. It has emollient, healing, and antioxidant properties, which guards the skin barrier and improves skin hydration. It also protects skin cell membranes from oxidation by free radicals, specifically when the skin is exposed to UV rays. This makes it an ideal vitamin to prevent your skin from drying out and ageing, thereby keeping it radiant and glowing in the process. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, this beauty vitamin has UV protective benefits when combined with vitamin C. Topical vitamin E application moisturises, heals, hydrates, and soothes the skin.
Try: Hydrating Body Lotion with Shea Butter, Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid; Moisturizing Cream with Shea Butter, Radiance Day Cream; and Nourishing Cleansing Oil.

Vitamin C

A holy grail skincare ingredient, vitamin C is a must-have beauty vitamin known for its range of skincare properties. Just about any skin concern, from uneven skin tone to fine lines and wrinkles, you name it and there's a good chance that vitamin C is a recommended treatment. A potent antioxidant that neutralises free radicals, vitamin C is also called ascorbic acid. Because of its antioxidant properties, vitamin C aids in your skin's natural regeneration process, which helps your body repair damaged skin cells.The free radical fighting benefit of this vitamin helps offset daily aggressors like UV rays and environmental stressors like pollution. This is important for keeping premature signs of ageing at bay. In fact, the high acid content of vitamin C accelerates the production of elastin and collagen, both naturally-occurring protein fibres that help keep skin plump and firm. Additionally, this beauty vitamin also helps prevent skin discolouration and hyperpigmentation because its properties inhibit skin’s melanin production.
Try: Hydrating Face Wash.

Vitamin B3

A form of vitamin B3 called niacinamide is one of the B vitamins most-commonly found in skincare. In fact, it is often called “fuel for skin cells” as it enhances many of the processes that are important for creating healthy, well-balanced skin. It increases the level of lipids, called ceramides, in the skin and supports water retention, making it an ideal emollient. It can also improve the appearance of your skin tone and texture. Perhaps the most important aspect of B3 that contributes to a glowing appearance, is its brightening properties. When applied topically, niacinamide helps reduce the appearance of brown spots, blotchiness, and redness and brightens the overall complexion. Like most other beauty vitamins, B3 also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This helps the skin combat prominent signs of ageing.

Vitamin A

Popularly known by the name of its most effective form, retinol, vitamin A is another holy grail skincare ingredient known for its abundant benefits. It is worth noting that vitamin A was the first vitamin approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a topical ingredient that actually changes the appearance of the skin’s surface. It works by binding the receptors in skin cells, in turn strengthening the protective function of the epidermis or the outermost layer of the skin, protecting collagen against debasement, and stimulating skin cell turnover. For the same reason, vitamin A is also a powerful acne-fighter. By helping to reduce sebum production, vitamin A prevents clogged pores and skin cells from sticking to each other. By stimulating the production of new skin cells, retinol prevents the skin from becoming overly dry. This helps the skin stay glowing and nourished.

Vitamin F

A beauty vitamin that has recently started gaining ground and is now increasingly used as an important ingredient in skincare products is vitamin F. Vitamin F is primarily found in linoleic acid (an omega 6 fatty acid) and linolenic acid (an omega 3). Together these help regulate and promote the healthy function of our body, including playing a role in the health of our skin. Fats are also known as lipids, and they're incredibly important when it comes to maintaining a strong, healthy stratum corneum (the protective outer layer of the skin). By protecting the skin’s barrier, vitamin F helps it to function optimally and this prevents external aggressors from entering and causing water loss. As such, this vitamin hydrates and replenishes the skin while also restoring the skin’s natural barrier. Its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties help prevent dryness, irritation, roughness, and other irritants as well as signs of ageing, aiding in a youthful glow.
Try: Instant Hydration Nectar Dry Oil Serum and Eternal Glow Nectar Dry Oil Serum.

Glowing, healthy, and nourished skin is achieved when we pay as much attention to our nutrient intake as much as we do to other methods/ingredients in our skincare. Vitamins play a vital role in our skincare as deficiencies often manifest on the skin. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and being mindful of the vitamin contents in your skincare products will keep your vitamin levels optimal and as a result, your skin glowing.