We’ve gone through a variety of skincare ingredients (azelaic acid, ferulic acid, niacinamide, squalane) in recent editions of Wellness Words to help you understand how to target specific skin issues. This time we're talking about a dynamic duo: vitamins A and C. I believe these two fundamental ingredients belong in every skincare regime.
While sunscreen is the most important anti-ageing ingredient you can use, vitamins A and C are also at the top of my list for key topical application to help slow and reverse the ageing process.
Vitamin A stimulates collagen and elastin, while locking in moisture, strengthening and detoxing skin. It helps protect skin and its immunity while normalising its behaviour, pigmentation and oil production. A natural exfoliator, it is the basis of retinol, an extremely concentrated anti-ageing ingredient.
I always recommend that clients use a moisturiser containing vitamin A, which is why I use Environ Skincare in my treatments and at home. Want to check if your moisturiser contains vitamin A? Look for these forms in the ingredients: retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, retinol and beta carotene.
Vitamin C helps vitamin A work even better with skin, which is just one reason why I appreciate them in combination. This antioxidant reduces pigmentation and redness, lightens and brightens skin, while also acting as an anti-inflammatory and skin healer. It stimulates collagen and elastin and has natural SPF properties, though not enough to replace your daily sunscreen application.
Want to know if it’s in your favourite product? Look for magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, L-ascorbic acid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, ascorbyl palmitate, sodium ascorbol phosphate, ascorbyl glucosamine and ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate on the label.
Vitamins A and C are commonly found in moisturisers and serums. Serums often offer higher concentrations of these powerhouses.
If you’re interested in trying Environ Skincare out, please do let me know. Otherwise you might choose Olay Total Effects or No 7 Protect & Perfect. These both contain vitamins A and C, though in lower levels when compared to what is available in Environ. This means it will take longer to experience the benefits of these great ingredients.
In addition to applying A and C topically, I also take A and C supplements orally to help improve my skin performance from the inside to the outside. Combining skin application with internal digestion means my skin gets the most out of these two fantastic ingredients.
Does your skincare include A and C?