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Vitamin and mineral facials are a great way to brighten dull, lifeless skin. Just as in your body, different vitamins provide different benefits when applied topically. Minerals tone and tighten. Many at-home facial products combine the two in a single treatment. When your complexion looks like it needs a pick-me-up, vitamin and mineral facials are just the thing to get you glowing again.
Vitamin C
When added to a classic facial -- one that involves cleansing and a mild peel -- vitamin C brightens and gives skin a glow; it also exfoliates, tones and lifts. When applied during facial treatments, vitamin C produces anti-aging effects such as smoothing out wrinkles and fading sunspots. Some day spas use techniques, such as ultrasound or microcurrent, when applying vitamin C during a facial to penetrate the upper layers of skin.
Vitamins A and E
Vitamins A and E provide antioxidant effects when applied during a treatment. Typically, an aesthetician removes pollutants by thoroughly cleansing the skin -- often with gentle steaming -- then applying a vitamin A or vitamin E enriched mask or serum. Both of these vitamins combat aging by fighting free radicals.
Minerals
Minerals -- such as magnesium, calcium and potassium -- are in sea mineral and mud facials. These compounds have a natural detoxifying effect. According to Jessica Matlin of "Allure," Tracie Martyn Enzyme Exfoliant is an at-home facial infused with volcanic minerals that cleans pores and adds brightness to skin. For acne prone skin, Catherine Gambrell of "Allure" recommends Ole Henriksen Blemish Attack Purifying Mask with zinc.
Considerations
Many day spas offer vitamin "boosts" as an addition to most types of facials. If you're having microdermabrasion or an intense peel, your aesthetician may advise against adding a vitamin C boost because it also acts as an exfoliant, which can be a bit harsh after a peel.
