Best Vitamins for Skin Types

Since I review skincare products on my blog, knowing the best vitamins for skin types has become requisite. No reviews are ever complete without knowing what ingredients go into making them. Especially with the active ingredients, many of them vitamins, you’d want to know which of them targets your specific skin conditions, and whether they work good for your skin type.

Best Vitamins for Skin Types : Oily, Dry, Combination, Normal & Sensitive

Types of Skin & Concerns

Today I’ll just be talking about the type of skin concerns that different skin types face, and how knowing the best vitamins for your types of skin can help with your skincare journey further.

Best Vitamins for Oily Skin Type

The best vitamins for oily skin type target at oily skin concerns like excess sebum production, clogged pores, breakouts, and a greasy appearance. Seborrhea (enlarged sebaceous glands producing excessive sebum) occurs in oily skin when the skin hyperproliferates and produces keratin (protein) that forms the outermost layer of our skin. This cellular overactivity translates to more oil production. Dead skin cells (corneocytes) tend to accumulate on the skin surface instead of naturally shedding themselves away. This excess build-up sticks together and clogs pores, creating a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria to further exacerbate the oiliness.

Vitamin A, specifically in its retinol form, has a deep understanding of these oily skin’s vulnerabilities. Retinol is able to regulate and stimulate oily skin by normalising keratinocyte activity and decreases sebum production. Retinol is also able to promote cornyeocyte turnover and shed away dead skin cells. This keeps pores unclogged and results in clearer and radiant skin.

Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) not only controls oil production but also minimises pore size and refines skin texture. Its anti-inflammatory properties are also able to calm redness and irritation in preventing acne breakouts.

Zinc is also one of the best vitamins in reducing inflammation and breakouts in oily skin. Sun exposure can worsen inflammation and trigger breakouts in oily, acne-prone skin. Zinc oxide is often an active ingredient in sunscreen skincare for this very reason. This mineral is able to inhibit enzymatic sebum synthesis, therefore effective in regulating sebum. Zinc also helps in dissolving the sticky dead skin cells and prevents the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads).

Best Vitamins for Dry Skin Type

The best vitamins for dry skin type target at adequate sebum production, moisture retention and strengthening of skin barrier. Dry skin type lacks oil, is slow in cell renewal, and is unable to protect itself from adverse environmental exposures. Therefore dry skin is dull or inflamed, rough, and often itches.

Vitamin E is the best vitamin in a skincare that can relieve dry skin discomfort. This is because Vitamin E serves as a moisture magnet. It helps strengthen the skin’s barrier by promoting ceramide production by lowering the skin pH, hence balancing out dry skin’s acidity. Ceramides are fat-like molecules that form a watertight barrier that prevents moisture loss and protects against external aggressors like pollutants and irritants. Additionally, its emollient properties help lock in moisture, leaving your skin feeling soft and supple.

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and neutralises free radicals before they can wreak havoc in dry skin. This not only prevents further moisture loss but also protects the skin against premature aging. Wrinkles Vitamin C also stimulates the production of collagen, the essential protein that aids in the repairing and renewal of the skin. Sun exposure is a major culprit behind dry skin. Vitamin C also acts as a secondary shield alongside sunscreen, absorbing harmful UV rays and minimizing their damaging effects.

Vitamin B Complex is a diverse group that plays a multitude of roles in skin health. Biotin, for example, aids in fatty acid production, keeping the skin supple and hydrated. Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) helps build ceramides and strengthens the skin barrier, while pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) boosts the production of hyaluronic acid and maintains skin elasticity by retaining moisture in dry skin.

Best Vitamins for Combination Skin Type

Combination skin tends to have an oily T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) and drier cheeks. The best vitamins for combination skin type should rightfully comprise those for oily and dry skin, except that they apply to the respective oily and dry areas. Thus the vitamins that best serve combination skin are those that provide overall goodness in balancing the skin in the following aspects.

Sebum and Hydration Balance – This refers to the healthy equilibrium between the amount of oil (sebum) produced by your skin and the level of hydration present or retained. Ideally, your skin should produce enough sebum to keep it supple and protected, but not over-produce so much of it that it clogs pores. At the same time, it should retain sufficient moisture to prevent dryness, flakiness and irritations.

Microbiome Balance – A healthy composition of the microbiome is crucial for maintaining skin health. Microbes (bacteria, yeast, fungi and viruses) work with our skin’s immune system in defending the skin against harmful pathogens. A optimal microbiome balance is able to suppress inflammatory responses and preventing conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics are ingredients that can help restore and support a healthy microbiome on both oily and drier areas of combination skin type.

pH Balance – Our skin’s surface naturally has a slightly acidic pH, typically around 4.7 to 5.5. This “acid mantle” serves as a protective shield against harmful pathogens and maintains the integrity of the skin barrier. This slightly acidic pH also ensures the efficiency of our skin enzymes, responsible for essential functions like cell turnover and hydration. Acidity can increase skin sensitivity and worsen symptoms like redness, inflammation, and flare-ups. Alkalinity can increase oil production (compensates for the altered pH by producing more sebum) that leads to pustules and breakouts.

Vitamin B6 is one of the best vitamins for combination skin types because it acts as a coenzyme in hormone metabolism in maintaining skin clarity. It helps to regulate androgen levels responsible for sebum production and acne breakouts in oily areas. It can help reduce inflammation by regulating immune system responses and inhibiting pro-inflammatory molecules like cytokines. This can lead to a calmer, more even-toned complexion. B6 also plays an important role in amino acid metabolism and protein synthesis, both of which catalyses skin cell turnover. This can contribute to a healthier overall appearance and potentially improve the texture of both dry and oily areas.

Vitamin K promotes wound healing, which speeds up the recovery processes of blemishes and post-injury marks such as acne scars. It also supports the activation of enzymes in ceramide synthesis which strengthens the skin barrier in holding more moisture in dry patches. Vitamin K Improves microvascular function in the skin that enhances nutrient delivery and hydration to the skin. It also possesses antioxidant properties that can protect the skin from free radical damage and premature aging.

Vitamins Good for Normal Skin Type

While normal skin type may not exhibit specific concerns like dryness or oiliness, it still requires targeted nourishment to maintain its healthy balance. Thus the vitamins that are good for “normal” skin should bring all-round biological benefits.

Normal skin types should look into hydration, anti-oxidative and skin-soothing properties in skincare products. The vitamins for normal skin should be able to fortify the skin barrier, slow down aging and promote skin cells and tissue repair. The following vitamins are all vital in these functions.

Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) and Hyaluronic Acid all promote long-lasting hydration by preventing moisture loss. Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) has photoprotection benefits to help protect the skin’s collagen reserves from photoaging and maintain its youthful appearance. Vitamin E (Tocopherol) too protects skin cell membranes and reduces inflammation. Together, they are both potent antioxidants that help to restore skin radiance and glow. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) helps regulate oil production and promotes skin cell regeneration and skin calming. Vitamin K activates proteins involved in cell signalling, this process accelerates skin repairing and wound healing.

Vitamins Good for Sensitive Skin Type

Sensitive skin type is susceptible to redness, stinging, flaking or irritation. The main reason for this is because of compromised barrier function that is supposed to shield against irritants and maintains hydration. In sensitive skin, this barrier is thinner and more permeable, and tend to overreact to external stimuli. Sensitive skin can be tricky, as it often reacts negatively to even the gentlest products. The key to using the best vitamins for sensitive skin type is to choose the right actives carefully, and incorporating them progressively. The obvious active ingredients to avoid are essential oils and anything that is high in concentration; even if they are organic substances.

Gentle formulations containing vitamins A, C, D and E can still be good for sensitive skin. Vitamins E and B3 (niacinamide) benefits for skin include reducing redness and itch, as well as enhance skin resilience to allergens. They also reduce oxidative stress on the skin from free radicals, generated by environmental factors like UV radiation and pollution.

Concentrated Vitamins A & C can irritate sensitive skin, so use them with caution in low doses gradually as tolerated. Vitamin A (Retinoids) are great for stimulating cell turnovers. They help to shed damaged cells by gently exfoliating in smoothening fine lines. Start with the lowest concentration possible (0.3%) and apply only once or twice a week.

Vitamin C‘s acidic nature can trigger stinging, redness, and irritation in sensitive individuals. Gentler derivatives like sodium ascorbyl phosphate are less harsh than L-ascorbic Acid due to its neutral pH and stability. Both Vitamin A and Vitamin C can increase sun sensitivity, so apply them at night to minimise the risk of sun damage and maximise their antioxidative efficacies. Opt for formulations with lower vitamin C content (less than 10%) and gradually increase frequency only if there is no irritation or adverse reaction.