Get rejuven-A-ted!

Photo source: elle.com

Oral supplementation of vitamins is important, but is not enough to treat skin intensively. We also need topical skin care products that contain active vitamins!

Among the essential skin vitamins, vitamin A is the most vital in the maintenance of youthful, healthy skin. It gives us that ever-sought-after "glow." It is also essential for the growth and maintenance of hair, nails, teeth and bones.

Topical vitamin A has both anti-aging AND anti-acne benefits, including increasing cell turnover rate (exfoliating dead and damaged skin cells on surface), decreasing pore size, reducing bacteria accumulation, increasing the skin's metabolism (removing toxins and delivering more oxygen to the skin), boosting collagen production, "plumping" and filling out fine lines and wrinkles!

There are a few forms of vitamin A, but they all essentially have the same rejuvenative properties. These active chemical derivatives include Retinoic acid or Tretinoin (Retin A), Retinol, Retinyl palmitate and Retinyl acetate. The most easily tolerated by the skin (and best for sensitive skin types) are Retinyl palmitate and Retinyl acetate.

When first starting a vitamin A product, irritation, breakouts and skin peeling may occur. However, as the surface of the cell walls develop more retinoid receptors, your skin will adjust to the vitamin concentration and the irritation will disappear.

It takes a couple weeks for skin to acclimate to a new product and even more time for skin to start showing the benefits of the product. One way to help skin adjust to retinoids is to start slowly (2-3 times per week for the first few weeks, then gradually increase to recommended dosing of once or twice daily).

Also keep in mind, retinoids are easily degraded by exposure to light, heat, air and moisture, so purchase a product that is in an opaque (non-transparent) container and has controlled distribution (a pump is great!).

One last note: vitamin A may cause photosensitivity (sensitivity to sun exposure), so don't forget to lather up with a broad spectrum sunscreen!

xo, Brittany