Vitamins are the most important tools for achieving a vibrant, youthful complexion – and need to be utilised both inside and out. From well-known vitamins like A and B, to under-the-radar superheroes like hyaluronic and flavonoids, we’ve got your skin care regimen covered with this easy-to-follow guide!
We’ll share how each vitamin or mineral can help boost your skin’s overall health and appearance, while dropping clean beauty product suggestions. We’re covering the top ten most skin beneficial ingredients you should have in your daily skin care routine – get ready to take notes!
1. Vitamin A
Why is Vitamin A Good for Your Skin?
If you’ve been searching for a powerful anti-ageing vitamin, look no further than vitamin A – also known as retinol. The vitamin A we use is vegan and cruelty-free and derived from clean, synthetic sources. This beneficial vitamin helps to promote cell turnover, as well as increase firmness, tone, and elasticity in your skin while you sleep.
Vitamin A skin care is best used at night, and should always be followed with a natural SPF the following day.
Skin Benefits:
- Cellular health
- Firms
- Anti-Ageing
- Reduces appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Found In:
- Carrots
- Squash
- Sweet potatoes
- Acai
Top Products with Vitamin A:
Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidants Ultra Riche PM Treatment
Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidants Potent PM Serum
Retinol Restorative Overnight Balm
Retinol PM Eye Cream
2. Vitamin B5
Why is Vitamin B5 Good for Your Skin?
Also known as panthenol or pantothenic acid, vitamin B5 is one of the best vitamins for skin and hair. When applied topically, vitamin B5 works to help moisturise, soothe and heal both skin and hair.
For dry, itchy, or irritated skin, vitamin B5 delivers superb hydrating, healing, and calming benefits. This vitamin is also beneficial for hair strengthening and growth, and is ideal for applying to the scalp and skin to encourage healthy hair growth.
Skin Benefits:
- Increases ceramide levels
- Retains moisture
- Enhances suppleness
- Smoothes
Found In:
- Avocados
- Sunflower seeds
- Broccoli
- Mushrooms
Top Products with Vitamin B5:
Vitamin C Serum
Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidants Ultra Riche PM Treatment
3. Vitamin C
Why is Vitamin C Good for Your Skin?
Our technologically advanced vitamin C is at the top of the natural skin care game, thanks to methods developed by 100% PURE™ co-founder Susie Wang. By formulating a stable, natural vitamin C serum that doesn’t oxidize over time, our vitamin C serums are able to continually deliver potent antioxidants and vitamins until the last drop.
Vitamin C helps to lighten and brighten skin naturally to fight dark spots, while promoting collagen production and defending against free radical damage.
Vitamin C Skin Benefits:
- Firms
- Brightens
- Evens skin tone
Found In:
- Citrus
- Strawberries
- Pineapple
- Mango
Top Products with Vitamin C:
Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C Boost
Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidants Potent PM Serum
Dark Spot Remover
4. Vitamin E
Why is Vitamin E Good for Your Skin?
Tocopherol, or vitamin E, has become a staple in any vitamin arsenal. Whether ingested or applied topically, this antioxidant-rich vitamin has plenty of health benefits. Known for helping to heal skin and reduce the appearance of scars, vitamin E can also help moisturise cracked and dry skin. This is exactly why we’ve included it as a key ingredient in so many of our natural skin and body care products.
Did you know that vitamin E enhances the beneficial effects of other vitamins for skin, like vitamin C? Research shows that these pairings work together to protect skin from sun damage.
Vitamin E Skin Benefits:
- Reduces appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Heals
- Soothes
- Moisturises
Found In:
- Sunflower seeds
- Almonds
- Avocado
- Olive oil
Top Products with Vitamin E:
Creamy Long Last Liner
Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream
Nourishing Body Cream
Cocoa Butter Matte Lipstick
5. Folic Acid
Why is Folic Acid Good for Your Skin?
We’re highlighting another B vitamin: Folic Acid. This vitamin plays an important role in maintaining healthy, beautiful skin. Folic acid has a high concentration of antioxidants, meaning it has enhanced anti-ageing effects. Not to mention that folic acid is found in some of our favourite fruits, like strawberries and raspberries, where we get our patented fruit pigments.
Folic Acid Skin Benefits:
- Anti-Ageing
- Moisturising
- Antioxidant-rich
Found In:
- Papaya
- Raspberries
- Grapefruit
- Strawberries
Top Products with Ingredients Containing Folic Acid:
Fruit Pigmented® Eye Shadow
Pink Grapefruit Shaving Cream
6. Probiotics
Why are Probiotics Good for Your Skin?
From kimchi to kombucha to sake (fermented rice), probiotics are super beneficial ingredients for healthy, happy skin. These friendly bacteria develop when there are perfect conditions, and are also naturally occuring in your digestive tract and gut.
Did you know that there is a connection between our GI tract and the health of our skin? When your gut isn’t functioning properly (absorbing nutrients, eliminating toxins), your body isn’t able to fight off bad bacteria that can lead to inflammation. If clearer skin is a goal of yours, we’d recommend starting with gut health to help set yourself up for a successful skin care journey.
Probiotic Skin Benefits:
- Healthy digestive tract for clearer skin
- Balances skin with good bacteria
- Fights Inflammation
Found In:
- Sake
- Kimchi
- Kombucha
- Miso
Top Products with Probiotics:
7. Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Why are Omega 3 Fatty Acids Good for Your Skin?
Not all fats are created equal, but when it comes to Omega 3 Fatty Acids, we’re all about sprinkling these healthy fats into our health and beauty routine. Omega 3 Fatty Acids are an excellent way to combat wrinkles, both by ingesting and applying topically, because they are able to help fight inflammation.
Did you know that Omega 3’s are also critical for skin hydration? These healthy fats work behind-the-scenes to help lock in moisture and significantly reduce overly dry skin that leads to cracking or irritation.
Omega 3 Fatty Acid Skin Benefits:
- UV protection
- Anti-Ageing
- Hydration
- Moisture
Found In:
- Chia
- Flax seeds
- Walnuts
- Tofu
Top Product with Omega 3 Fatty Acids:
Hydra Drench Cream
Vitamin C Serum
Fruit Pigmented® Powder Foundation
8. Vegan Collection
Why is Collagen Good for Your Skin?
We harness the power of vegan collagen from kelp, seaweed, and algae to create natural skin care products. Conventional skin care brands often source their collagen from animal sources: bones, tendons, teeth, or skin.
There’s no need for animal cruelty, when Mother Nature has already perfected this ingredient with plants! Seaweed and kelp are the ideal specimens when it comes to moisture retention, not to mention their natural abundance of minerals and vitamins for skin.
Vegan Collagen Skin Benefits:
- Skin elasticity
- Hydration
Found In:
- Seaweed
- Kelp
- Alteromonas ferment extract
Top Products with Vegan Collagen:
Mattifying Primer
Kelp & Mint Volumizing Shampoo
Kelp & Mint Volumizing Conditioner
9. Hyaluronic Acid
Why is Hyaluronic Acid Good for Your Skin?
While hyaluronic acid is naturally occurring in the human body, it tends to decline as we age. Applying this ingredient topically will promote more supple, hydrated skin when your natural H.A. stores begin to dwindle.
Unlike some skin care ingredients, hyaluronic acid is able to deeply penetrate your skin with ease. Sodium hyaluronate helps assists skin with absorption of other hydrating and moisturising ingredients, and can hold up to 1,000 times its molecular weight in water.
Hyaluronic Acid Skin Benefits:
- Moisture retention
- Elasticity
Found In:
- Soy
- Potatoes
- Citrus
- Kale
Top Products with Hyaluronic Acid:
Retinol PM Eye Cream
Rose Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Rose Water Hydrating Milk
10. Flavonoids
Why are Flavonoids Good for Your Skin?
Flavonoids are known to be rich in antioxidants, anti-carcinogenic properties, and anti-inflammatory benefits. You can wear your dark chocolate and eat it, too – flavonoids can be consumed and applied for similar benefit.
Green tea, red wine, and dark chocolate all contain skin protecting properties from flavonoids. Have you peeped our natural makeup ingredient list? It’s loaded with vitamins for skin that not only smell or taste good, but are good for your skin.
Flavonoid Skin Benefits:
- Antioxidant-rich
- Anti-carcinogenic
- Anti-inflammatory
Found In:
- Dark chocolate
- Green tea
- Red wine
- Berries
Top Products with Flavonoids:
Luminous Primer
Cocoa Pigmented Bronzer
Fruit Pigmented® Ultra Lengthening Mascara
Green Tea EGCG Concentrate Cream
11. Vitamin K2
Why is Vitamin K2 Good for Your Skin?
Not to be confused with vitamin K1 – found in leafy greens – vitamin K2 is a force all its own. Commonly found in meat and dairy, vegans will need to look to fermented food for their vitamin K2 fix.
Topical use of vitamin K2, also known as ‘menaquinone’, can increase youthful suppleness in skin, while supporting elastin and collagen production. A study in Japan also found that Japanese women who consumed fermented soy and other vitamin K2-rich foods had higher bone density and reduced calcification of the arteries.
These benefits weren’t only internal; there was a correlation found between higher bone density and reduced wrinkles.
Vitamin K2 Skin Benefits:
- Supports collagen production
- Supports elastin levels
Found In:
- Fermented foods (pickles, kimchi, sauerkraut, etc)
Top Products with Vitamin K2:
Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidants Ultra Riché PM Treatment
12. Vitamin B3
Why is Vitamin B3 Good for Your Skin?
Also known as niacin or niacinamide, vitamin B3 acts as an antioxidant with serious brightening and anti-ageing abilities. According to Alexandra Tunell at Harper’s Bazaar, vitamin B3 “strengthens the skin’s barrier function.” That’s important for two reasons: first, a strong skin barrier helps keep moisture in, which makes your skin feel soft, smooth, and hydrated. Second, a strong skin barrier also keeps skin-damaging irritants out – that means less pollution, dirt, and oil clogging your pores.
Vitamin B3 Skin Benefits:
- Reduces inflammation
- Minimises appearance of pores
- Strengthens lipid barrier
- Balances skin tone
- Brightens
Found In:
- Spirulina
- Coffee
- Rice bran
- Peanuts
- Chia
Top Products with Vitamin B3:
Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidants Ultra Riché PM Treatment
Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidants Potent PM Serum
13. Vitamin D
Why is Vitamin D Good for Your Skin?
Ah, vitamin D: you’re what we crave in the gloom of winter, when dreaming of sunnier days. Skin is triggered to create this fat-soluble hormone when exposed to sun’s UVB rays, making it beneficial for absorbing a healthy amount of sun.
Vitamin D has been linked to improved spot conditions in multiple studies, making sunshine or supplement sources beneficial for blemish-prone skin types. vitamin D has also been credited for stimulating healthy cellular growth, repair, and renewal; all are important for ageing or sun-damaged skin.
Another interesting fact about this ‘sunshine vitamin’? Melanin helps block UVB rays from entering the skin, so skin with more melanin (skin pigment) experiences less UVB-related sun damage in skin. This means that people with more melanin will suffer less sun damage in skin, but are also more likely to be deficient in skin-healthy vitamin D. In summary, this vitamin is all about balance!
Vitamin D Skin Benefits:
- Neutralises free radicals
- Supports cellular growth
- Supports repair and renewal
- Anti-blemish benefits
Found In:
- Sunlight
- Maitake mushrooms
- Chanterelle mushrooms
- Portobello mushrooms
Top Products with Vitamin D:
Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidants Ultra Riché PM Treatment
14. Coenzyme CoQ10
Why is CoQ10 Good for Your Skin?
This powerhouse antioxidant is naturally found in our bodies, in the mitochondria that produce energy for our cells. As with collagen and hyaluronic acid, CoQ10’s production decreases as we age.
To reap the anti-ageing benefits of Coenzyme CoQ10, you’ll need to apply it or ingest it. Adding this antioxidant to your diet or skin care routine energizes skin cells to renew your complexion, reduce oxidative damage, and lessen the severity of fine lines and wrinkles.
CoQ10 Skin Benefits:
- Neutralises free radicals
- Improves texture
- Reduces wrinkles
- Counters sun damage
Found In:
- Peanuts
- Soybeans
- Spinach
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
Top Products with CoQ10:
Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidants Ultra Riché PM Treatment
Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidants Potent PM Serum
15. Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)
Why is ALA Good for Your Skin?
Alpha Lipoic Acid is an antioxidant that has long experienced widespread use as a potent anti-inflammatory. It works in skin’s plasma membrane to fight free radical damage that can prematurely age the skin. ALA can also gently resurface and exfoliate the skin for a brighter, renewed complexion.
This antioxidant has been touted as more powerful than vitamins C & E, likely due to the fact that it acts as an amplifier for both. The anti-inflammatory properties of Alpha Lipoic Acid make it a useful tool for calming redness, blotchiness from eczema and rosacea, and soothing irritated skin.
ALA Skin Benefits:
- Helps repair photo-ageing
- Neutralises free radicals
- Reduces appearance of wrinkles and fine lines
- Anti-inflammatory
Found In:
- Yams
- Potatoes
- Beets
- Tomatoes
Top Products with ALA:
Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidants Potent PM Serum
Vitamin C Serum
*If you’re not sure a supplement or topical vitamin treatment is right for you, consult your healthcare practitioner first. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, always consult your healthcare practitioner before taking any supplements and using topical vitamin treatments.