How to Mix Topical Vitamins

Not all vitamins are the same. While you might think you are getting a balanced dose of vitamins daily by popping a multivitamin, odds are you aren't getting enough to notice any of the benefits that these vitamins can provide. Topical vitamins are different than other vitamins in that they are applied directly to the skin (as they are part of certain skin-care creams). According to a July 2008 article from the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, "vitamins A, C, E, and B3 have been shown to have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but to achieve optimal effectiveness, products must be delivered in appropriate formulations."

Instructions

Skin-Enhancing Benefits

• 1

  Use a vitamin E cream to reverse UV damage. According to a July 2008 article from the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, Vitamin E cream has been shown to decrease wrinkles and discoloration from harmful UV rays.

• 2

  Use a vitamin C cream to protect your skin. Topical vitamin C has a lot in common with vitamin E in that it helps to repair UV-damaged skin and smooth out wrinkles. When used topically, vitamin C can also protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays.

• 3

  Use retinol to smooth rough skin and prevent acne. Retinol contains retinoids, which come from vitamin A. Retinoids are lipid-soluble, which means they can penetrate the skin easily. When used topically, retinol has been shown to smooth out roughness of the skin. It also can help prevent acne breakouts. It also helps repair UV damage.

• 4

  Eat more meat, fish and whole-wheat products. In order to enjoy the skin enhancing benefits of niacinamide (vitamin B3's active ingredient), eating more meat, fish and whole-grain products is essential. These foods contain the highest amounts of niacinamide, which can help even out your skin tone.

• 5

  Apply niacinamide cream directly to the skin. Its been shown to treat dry skin, acne, UV damage, blistering disorders. As a cream it can also be applied to cuts and scrapes to aid in the healing process.

Mixing Topical Vitamins

• 6

  Use vitamins A, C, and E together. Any of the topical vitamins above can be used together. Many products on the market contain one of more of these vitamins anyway. One popular mixture includes vitamins A, C and E. Used together, these vitamins can protect the skin from harmful environmental pollutants and UV rays.

• 7

  Mix a little vitamin K into your regime. Since the uses of vitamin K are so different than the topical vitamins listed in section one, a vitamin K cream can be used with any of them. Commonly it's applied to women's legs to reduce the appearance of spider veins, bruises, scars and stretch marks.

• 8

  Use Vitamin A on your legs to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Studies have shown that vitamin A creams used for a long period of time can lessen the appearance of cellulite on your body. Since you will be applying it to a different area (topical vitamins discussed in the first section are mainly for your face), vitamin A cream for cellulite can be used along with any of the other topical vitamin formulas.