These vitamins are your winter superheroes

Dark, cold, and grey outside? It’s no wonder your skin – and probably your mood – have lost their glow. When temperatures plummet and sunshine’s in short supply our immunity, mood and skin are affected. That means we’re more prone to coughs, colds and infections (including COVID-19), winter blues and dry, sensitive skin. Your most valuable winter allies? Powerhouse vitamins that work topically, and through food and supplements, to keep you and your skin glowing with health.

Here’s all you need to know to incorporate a daily dose of essential vitamins into your winter skincare routine and diet...

 

VITAMIN A

Essential for fighting illness and infection, bone growth and good vision vitamin A also packs a powerful punch for the skin – helping prevent breakouts, speeding up healing and keeping skin moisturized.

Find vitamin A in: Yellow, red and orange fruit and vegetables such as carrots, squash, bell peppers, sweet potato, mango, papaya and apricots, spinach, mackerel, salmon, cheese, eggs, milk and yoghurt, liver.

What vitamin A does in skincare

Any form of vitamin A in skincare is a retinoid, and they’re considered the superheroes of anti-aging treatments, proven to boost collagen production, smooth out lines and improve texture. So far so good, but downsides include redness, flaking, peeling and, for women of color, the risk of post-inflammatory discoloration that gets worse not better. If you want a smoother, more youthful complexion without the vitamin A irritation try bakuchiol, which is proven in studies to deliver retinol-equivalent results with no side-effects to even sensitive or inflamed skin.

Find it in: Six Gldn Daily Vitamin C Radiance Serum

 

VITAMIN B

The 8 different B vitamins help the body release energy from food (which is why when levels are low we feel tired and sluggish), and keep the eyes, blood and nervous system healthy. The B complex is also vital for bright, hydrated, radiant skin – a lack can lead to a compromised barrier, dry, cracked skin and lips, and acne. B vitamins are water soluble, meaning the body doesn’t store them, so top them up from nutrient-dense food regularly.

Find vitamin B in: Chicken, beef, fish, eggs, cheese, mushrooms, avocado, bananas, wheatgerm, peas, broccoli, chickpeas, fortified breakfast cereals.

What vitamin B does in skincare

Vitamin B can work wonders. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a powerhouse for every skin type that brightens, soothes, restores the barrier, hydrates and reduces excess oil. Deeply hydrating Vitamin B5, pantothenic acid, helps skin retain water, keeping it soft, smooth, healthy and protected.

Find it in: Six Gldn Daily Vitamin C Radiance Serum

 

VITAMIN C

As the body doesn’t produce vitamin C, it’s essential that your daily diet is packed with the goodness of this nutritional workhorse. It helps bolster the immune system, fight inflammation and infections and lower blood pressure. It’s also vital for keeping skin and hair healthy. Without enough skin becomes dry and cracked, and hair dry, brittle and split.

Find vitamin C in: Broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, potatoes, bell peppers, tomatoes, guava, pineapple, strawberries, mango, kiwi and citrus fruit.

What vitamin C does in skincare 

Vitamin C is a superstar skincare ingredient. One of the most powerful antioxidants for skin, it helps protect against cell damage and premature aging caused by environmental stressors like blue light from screens, UV and pollution. Other benefits include brightening the complexion, and boosting collagen and elastin production to smooth and firm the skin.

Find it in: Six Gldn Daily Vitamin C Radiance Serum

 

VITAMIN D

Vitamin D is an unsung hero, whose importance to all-round good health and wellbeing is only just being unravelled. Mainly made by the action of sunlight on skin, it’s crucial for strong bones and skin health, and has been shown to improve sleep and boost immunity. It also has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, that can help soothe and calm skin prone to acne and psoriasis.

Find vitamin D in: Oily fish like salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel, mushrooms, whole milk, red meat, egg yolks, and fortified foods such as cereals and bread.

What vitamin D does in skincare 

Skin in need of soothing? Topical vitamin D is ultra-calming for red, stressed, sensitized skin. It conditions and helps restore the barrier, making skin stronger, also helps combat skin-damaging free radicals caused by pollution and UV to keep signs of aging at bay. Best sources? Oils like jojoba and sweet almond are packed with nourishing vitamin D. 

Find it in: Six Gldn Nourishing Face Oil

 

VITAMIN E

Immune-booster and powerful antioxidant, vitamin E helps strengthen our defences against infection, protect cells against free radicals, prevent heart disease, and keep eyes and skin healthy. 

Find vitamin E in: Sunflower seeds, butternut squash, spinach, avocado, extra virgin olive oil, shrimp, broccoli.

What vitamin E does in skincare

Another stellar antioxidant, vitamin E helps protect skin against the aging effects of pollution, blue light and sun exposure. This skin all-rounder also strengthens the barrier, soothes, calms and hydrates.

Find it in: Six Gldn Essential Moisturizer