Understanding Vitamins & Minerals in Skincare
Vitamins and minerals play a **critical role in skin health**, supporting everything from **collagen production to barrier repair and hydration retention**. These powerhouse ingredients provide **antioxidant protection, brighten the complexion, and improve overall skin resilience.**
At Scrub a Lil Deepa, we focus on **bioavailable, stable, and highly effective vitamins and minerals**, ensuring that our formulations deliver **maximum benefits without unnecessary fillers or synthetic additives.**
| Vitamin/Mineral | Function | Best For | Rarity/Cost | Source & Stability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) | Brightens, boosts collagen, antioxidant | Hyperpigmentation, dull skin, fine lines | Medium cost, highly unstable | Derived from citrus; oxidizes quickly |
| Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Stable Vitamin C) | Brightening, antioxidant, gentle | Sensitive skin, anti-aging, acne-prone | Higher cost, much more stable | Synthesized for better shelf life |
| Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP, Vitamin C) | Hydrating, brightening, antioxidant | Dry, dehydrated skin | Expensive, more stable than ascorbic acid | Water-soluble, slow release |
| Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) | Strengthens barrier, brightens, balances oil | Oily skin, acne-prone, redness | Moderate cost, highly stable | Synthesized, works across pH ranges |
| Panthenol (Vitamin B5) | Deep hydration, soothes irritation | Dry, sensitive, compromised skin | Low cost, very stable | Derived from plants or synthetically made |
| Vitamin E (Tocopherol) | Antioxidant, protects barrier, prevents oxidation | All skin types, anti-aging | Moderate cost, stable in oils | Extracted from plants or synthetic |
| Retinol (Vitamin A) | Speeds up cell turnover, boosts collagen | Aging skin, acne-prone, uneven tone | Very expensive, highly unstable | Synthetic or plant-derived (Rosehip Oil) |
| Ascorbyl Palmitate (Oil-Soluble Vitamin C) | Antioxidant, brightening, skin-conditioning | Dry and aging skin | Moderately expensive, more stable than ascorbic acid | Lipid-soluble, slow-release |
| Zinc Oxide | Anti-inflammatory, sun protection | Acne-prone, sensitive, sun-exposed skin | Moderate cost, highly stable | Derived from natural mineral deposits |
| Copper | Boosts collagen, elastin production | Aging skin, fine lines, wrinkles | Copper peptides in specialized products | Sourced from natural minerals |
| Magnesium | Soothes skin, reduces redness | Sensitive and stressed skin | Low cost, very stable | Mineral-derived |
The Challenge of Preserving Certain Vitamins
While vitamins and minerals provide powerful benefits, some are extremely sensitive to oxidation, light, and air, making them difficult to stabilize in formulations.
Common Vitamin Stability Issues
- 🌞 Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) – Highly unstable, oxidizes quickly when exposed to air or light.
- 💧 Retinol (Vitamin A) – Breaks down rapidly when exposed to light; requires special packaging.
- 🔥 Vitamin E (Tocopherol)– Used to prevent oxidation in oils, but can degrade over time.
To extend shelf life, we often use stable derivatives like Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C) or encapsulated forms to protect potency and effectiveness.
How Vitamins & Minerals Work Together
Many vitamins and minerals enhance each other’s benefits when used in the same formulation:
Powerful Vitamin & Mineral Combinations
- 🛡️ Vitamin C + Vitamin E – Doubles antioxidant protection, fights free radicals more effectively.
- 💧 Niacinamide + Zinc – Soothes acne-prone and irritated skin.
- ✨ Magnesium + Vitamin B5 – Hydrates and calms stressed skin.
🧐 Did You Know?
Vitamin C in its purest form only stays stable for a few weeks! This is why many skincare brands use derivatives or encapsulated versions to extend its effectiveness. If your Vitamin C serum turns brown or orange, it has oxidized and is no longer effective! 🍊✨
