There's a lot of important new research showing how vitamins applied topically can make a huge difference in the way your skin looks, feels and how well it ages.

I am not talking about crushing up vitamins and applying them to your skin. I am suggesting you look for certain vitamins as ingredients when shopping for skincare products. Not only products for your face, products for your body too. You will find vitamins for your skin in the form of serums, moisturizers, treatments, body wash, hand wash and more!

So, which vitamins do you need to keep your skin healthy and looking its best?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Vitamins A, B, C, E, and K are among the top of their list to not only improve the appearance of your skin today—but can make a difference in how your skin ages.

Here’s the low down on what these vitamins can do to improve your skin and a few

products that may peak your interest…depending on your personal skin concerns.

Vitamin A

Topical vitamin A can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and also control acne. Vitamin A or otherwise known as Retin-A is the # 1 anti-aging ingredient on the market and requires a doctor’s prescription. I use the Obagi Trentinoin 5% twice a week. The less potent, over-the-counter formulations are sold as retinol and used as anti-aging treatments.

If you don’t want to go to your derm for a script, I suggest using pharmaceutical grade retinol that can be purchased at a medispa.

WARNING: If you use Retin-A or products that contain retinol. you have to be careful as it can be drying. Also, don’t forget to apply sunscreen on a daily basis because your skin can burn more easily when using products containing vitamin A. I use sunscreens for my face that are good for your skin as well as protect you from the sun. Here are a couple of my favorites: IS Clinical Extreme Protect SPF 30 and Revision

Vitamin B Complex

Recently, greater attention is being paid to topical skincare products containing B vitamins. These creams can help give skin an almost instant healthy glow while hydrating cells and increasing overall tone. Niacin, a specific B vitamin, helps skin retain moisture, so creams containing this nutrient can help your complexion look plumper and younger. Niacin also has anti-inflammatory properties to soothe dry, irritated skin. In one study presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in 2003, a topical form of vitamin B was shown to dramatically improve aging in human skin. Another form of vitamin B is biotin, a nutrient that forms the basis of skin, nail, and hair cells. Learn more in this article on webmd

Products I currently use that contain Vitamin B:

I use Lubriderm Daily Moisturizer on my body daily after taking a shower.

I use this vitamin B serum when I feel my skin needs a little extra boost of moisture: La Roche-Posay Hylalu B5 Serum

Vitamin C

Topical Vitamin C can prevent the effects of years of sun exposure which can lead to skin cancer.

Vitamin C and E help by reducing the damage caused by free radicals, a harmful byproduct of sunlight, smoke, and pollution. Free radicals gobble up collagen and elastin, the fibers that support skin structure, causing wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Vitamin E supplements of 400 mg per day has been noted to reduce photo damage, wrinkles and improve skin texture.

You can also try a topical vitamin C cream to encourage collagen production, just as your body does naturally when you are young. The trick here is to use a formulation containing the L-ascorbic acid form of vitamin C, the only one that can penetrate skin layers and do the job.

Vitamin C Serums

Products that I have recently used and like:

- Dermalogica biolumin-C Serum

- Algenist Ultimate Anti-Aging Viramin C Serum

Vitamin E

Products that I use quite often are my body wash by Olay and my liquid hand soap, Live Clean

Vitamin K

Vitamin K won't do much for your skin from the inside. But studies presented to the American Academy of Dermatology showed that topical vitamin K works well to reduce circles under the eye as well as bruises. I use skin treatments with vitamin K cream after laser treatments, fillers, and recommend to clients who have had plastic surgery to significantly reduced bruising.

I keep Reviva Vitamin K creme on hand to use after my fillers and laser treatments to reduce bruising and swelling.