Because so many fancy additives are being added to skin care products, we often forget that the skin is an organ that thrives on even the simplest vitamins. In fact, research on the link between nutrition and skin highlights that vitamins and a variety of plant extracts possess very potent antioxidant properties. This is why vitamins are widely used in the skincare industry as topical agents and oral supplements to boost the skin’s overall health and appearance. Read on to learn about the five vitamins that can give your skin a much needed boost.

1. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a popular ingredient as it has been found to protect the skin against sun damage and skin cancer. Radiance by Web MD explains that appearance-wise, this can mean reversing some of the discoloration and wrinkles associated with sun damage and aging. Applying vitamin C serums in tandem with your daily sunscreen can help boost its effectiveness for skin protection against harmful UV rays. Fortunately, due to the prevalence of vitamin C in over-the-counter products, dietary supplements, and citric fruits, deficiency of this nutrient is rare.

2. Vitamin E

Like vitamin C, vitamin E is an antioxidant. It is naturally healing, hydrating, and protective. Dr. Michelle Green, MD elaborates that vitamin E for skin care is well known for its ability to hydrate and protect against environmental irritants and the free radicals that can cause premature aging of the skin. It can lessen dark spots, fine lines, and dehydrated skin. There are tons of vitamin E-based products on the market, but you can’t go wrong with a moisturizer or an oil blend since vitamin E is soluble in oil. Together, vitamin C and E are a great pair to target aging or dull skin.

3. Vitamin D

The ‘sunshine vitamin’ got its nickname because it is most often made when sunlight is absorbed by the skin. After a healthy dose of sun exposure, cholesterol converts this to vitamin D, and then it is distributed throughout the body to help create healthy cells. Skin care with vitamin D has also been linked to improving acne conditions. If you don’t want to risk UV exposure but still want the benefits of this vitamin, there are oral supplements, oils, and moisturizers, as well as topical products that are generally used for treating psoriasis and other inflammatory skin diseases. You might want to incorporate these in the winter, or if you’re living in a low-sunlight area.

4. Vitamin K

Vitamin K2 aids with the body’s blood clotting process, which can be helpful for wounds, bruises, areas affected by surgery, and stretch marks. Vitamin K2 deficiencies are rare in the United States — but because it is commonly found in meat and dairy, vegans will need to look into other sources, such as fermented foods and supplements. Vitamin K2 is also famous for targeting dark under-eye circles, as blood-clotting may play a role in this. It is available in an assortment of products like under eye creams, serums, and treatments.

5. Vitamin A

Also known as retinol, vitamin A was the first vitamin approved by the FDA as a topical ingredient for skin care. It’s a powerful anti-aging vitamin that promotes cell turnover, firmness, and skin elasticity. Reactions to retinol can be quite strong for first-time users, so you can also opt for a more subtle product that is high in vitamin A, such as shea butter. Shea butter moisturizes and reduces inflammation to calm your skin. When your skin has adjusted, you can move on to higher concentrations found in serums and creams.

Take the time to check the ingredients list before purchasing skin care — products containing these five vitamins will surely make a difference in your daily routine.