When it comes to your skin care routine, you have it down to a science. Cleanse, exfoliate, tone, moisturize, SPF. Repeat. But do you ever stop to think about what your skin is actually craving? Here’s a beauty secret that may surprise you:
vitamins are the key to taking your skin to the next level of gorgeous (we’re talking JLo-glow gorgeous. No, really).

Dr. Lisa Kellett of Toronto’s DLK on Avenue (dlkonavenue.com) and Dr. Poonam Rajan of the Rosedale Dermatology Centre (drpaulcohen.com) and a spokesperson for Simple Skincare (simpleskincare.ca), help us decode how vitamins can help achieve glowing skin and fight aging. Talk about win-win.

Which vitamins are best for healthy skin?

As Dr. Kellett explains, while a balanced diet is important for good health, a balance of vitamins is also important for
healthy, youthful skin. A rounded amount of vitamins and minerals will ensure your skin stays as healthy as possible. The two most important vitamins for skin? Vitamin A and C.

How do vitamins help skin?

Think of vitamins as the worker bees for your skin. They help with the foundation and structure of a strong, healthy epidermis. Without the proper amounts you can see your skin start to dull, age and sag. “Vitamins and minerals are necessary in the production of the building blocks of the skin such as collagen, elastin and the dermal ground substance in which they reside,” explains Dr. Kellett. Dr. Rajan says certain vitamins can help with specific skin problems. “Vitamin A is great for maintenance and repair of skin tissue. Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that help protect against sun damage and the B vitamins hydrate the skin and give it a healthy glow and tone.”

How can you maximize your vitamin intake?

Your mother was right—
eating your veggies is good for you in so many ways, glowing skin included. To get your skin on a healthier track, a good diet with lots of fruits and vegetables high in vitamins and minerals is the best place to start. “A liquid vitamin A formulation can be applied to the skin if there is concern about aging,” advises Dr. Kellett. “For patients with brown spots or if free radical damage from the sun is suspected, a liquid vitamin C can be helpful.”

How vitamins in your skin care routine can help stop the signs of aging on the next page …

How do vitamins help prevent aging?

Vitamins not only help maintain healthy, glowing skin right now. They’re also key to fighting signs of aging (think fine lines, wrinkles, sagging and dullness—all issues that make your skin look and feel older than its age). “Vitamins can help by reducing the damage caused by free radicals, a harmful byproduct of sunlight, smoke and pollution,” explains Dr. Rajan. “Free radicals cause damage to collagen and elastin, the building blocks that give support to the skin, causing wrinkles and other signs of aging.” Building up your vitamin intake today equals less fretting about aging in the years to come. Take that, fine lines.

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