The most effective topical form of vitamin C is anhydrous, or waterless. During a study on human
skin, scientists found that vitamin C has the greatest healing potential when applied to damaged skin
in dry form (Heber et al. 2006). But we all know that vitamin C stings like crazy. Pour a drop of
lemon juice on a fresh wound and see what happens! For this reason, you can dissolve vitamin C in
pure vegetable glycerin, glycerin-rich organic personal lubricant, a pure dimethicone such as
Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel, or a very oily cream like Weleda Skin Food in the following
proportion: ½ teaspoon of vitamin C to ¼ cup of base product. Use the preparation quickly and watch
out for a yellowish tint that signals vitamin C oxidation and loss of efficiency. Vitamin C serums can
be irritating, so always perform a patch test before using. Nonirritating forms of vitamin C include
tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, both available online.
A blend of vitamins C and E truly shines as a skin protector: these vitamins support each other and
deliver a double whammy against free radicals (Burke 2007). Vitamin C blends really well in
vitamin E–rich facial oil.
Vitamin D
This important vitamin, which is synthesized in our skin during sun exposure, has been proven to
reduce the risk of many autoimmune diseases, but topical use of vitamin D is still under investigation.
Dermatologists at the University Hospital Leuven in Belgium found that topical vitamin D in the form
of calcipotriol is helpful in psoriasis treatment (Segaert, Duvold 2006).
Vitamin E
This is the most common vitamin used in skin care. Vitamin E in the forms of tocopherol and
tocotrienol is a fat-soluble antioxidant found in our bodies. Since it’s fat-soluble, it helps protect fatty
components of cells from free radical damage that builds up over a lifetime of pollution, sun, and
cigarette smoke exposure. This vitamin also offers a protective barrier for the skin when used
topically. As a skin care ingredient, it helps heal skin wounds, nourish the skin, and prevent stretch
marks. To reap the benefits of vitamin E, use the natural form of this vitamin, which contains both
tocopherols and tocotrienols, even though it may cost more than the synthetic version. Vitamin E
mixes well with most cleansers, creams, and lotions. One or two standard-size gelatin-packed
softgels will make an excellent addition to your lotion or body oil, and you can add vitamin E to lip
balms to heal your lips tortured by too much wind, frost, or sun. Just pinch a small hole in a softgel,
squeeze out the oily substance, and blend with the base product in the following proportion: two 400
IU vitamin E softgels per ounce of lotion or oil. Do not increase the amount of vitamin E or it will
leave a yellowish cast on the skin and stain your clothes and bed linens. Use up the product in one
month because vitamin E becomes unstable when exposed to air. You can apply vitamin E oil or
squeeze vitamin E from the capsule on your lips whenever you have a bout of dryness, some nasty
sores, or plain chapped lips. Works like magic, but I prefer my manuka honey!