Vitamin A for Skin Health
You’re diligent about fruits, veggies, and multis, but your skin care routine is still missing vitamins.
Research shows that certain nutrients are essential for preventing and reversing many signs of skin aging. A well-balanced diet is important, of course—eating a variety of healthy foods helps keep skin supple and glowing. But the fact is, "the body delivers only a certain percentage of vitamins to your skin, no matter how much you ingest," says Mary Lupo, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University School of Medicine. Plus, there's no way to send them straight to your crow's feet or brown spots.
The solution: Applying vitamins topically to deliver maximum anti-aging benefits—everything from improving texture and tone to fading under-eye circles. Follow this user's guide to the letter, and soon your skin will look better than ever.
1. Vitamin A for wrinkles
Best overall age-fighter
Find it in: OTC lotions, night creams (vitamin A derivatives are known as retinoids), and prescription products
Proven to: Reduce wrinkles, fade brown spots, and smooth roughness. "There are more than 700 published studies on retinoids—they're tried-and-true ingredients. Anyone who wants younger-looking skin should use one," says Doris Day, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at New York University Langone Medical Center.
How to use: Apply your retinoid at night—sunlight inactivates most forms of vitamin A. Prescription retinoids work fastest, within four to eight weeks. The downside: They're irritating, causing redness, scaling, and flaking that can last for weeks or longer. OTC products are best for beginners; you'll experience fewer skin care side effects because the retinol they contain is slowly converted to retinoic acid, the active ingredient in prescription creams. To avoid irritation, apply an OTC or prescription retinoid every second or third night, at least for the first two weeks, and build up to nightly use. Apply sparingly; a pea-size amount is enough to cover your entire face.
Try Dr. Brandt Glow Overnight Resurfacing Serum ($85; amazon.com) or RoC Multi-Correxion Night Treatment ($22.50; amazon.com). If your skin is sensitive, two new retinoids are particularly gentle. Clinical studies show that retinyl propionate, available in Olay Professional Pro-X Deep Wrinkle Treatment Anti-Aging ($15.50; amazon.com), significantly improves skin after 12 weeks without being as drying as the more potent retinol. Ready to trade up to an Rx retinoid? Ask about Atralin (about $150), which contains two potent anti-aging emollients. "Even my most sensitive patients are able to tolerate it," says Dr. Day.
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