Ever since we were kids, adults have preached the importance of vitamins for strong and healthy bodies. From school lessons to television programs most children know the basic vitamins: A, B, C, D and E. However, as adults the role vitamins play in our lives takes on a whole new meaning. The skincare and anti aging industry learned long ago the impact that certain vitamins can have on the complexion and even the aging process. Out of the vitamins we need, you’ll want to get to know the vitamin B family, which has a huge laundry list of responsibilities.

Most people that are not very skincare or health savvy might be very surprised to know that there is not just one vitamin B. There is, in fact, an entire family of B vitamins - all of which play their own roles in keeping the human body functioning properly. Once you become familiar with what the vitamin B family does, you’ll want to make sure they’re in your life on a daily basis.

The vitamin B family is made up of the following: B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9 and B12. This fairly large group of vitamins has responsibilities ranging from keeping the immune system intact, promoting healthy nerves, providing energy, improving memory, focus and proper circulation, to name a few. However, some of the B vitamins also have the ability to make a positive impact on your complexion. These days it is not uncommon to see B vitamins listed somewhere on a majority of skincare and anti aging products on store shelves. While not all of the B vitamins listed work to benefit a person’s complexion, there is a few that stand out and are the darlings of the skincare and anti aging industry.

You may be surprised to know that having a slight deficiency in vitamin B can result in a complexion that is oily. If you happen to suffer from oily skin that causes you to breakout or develop acne, many people encourage using vitamin B5, which is also known by the name pantothenic acid. Taking doses of B5 is said to decrease the over-production of sebum (oil) in the skin. B5 can be found in a number of forms, including supplements and in foods like corn, broccoli, yogurt, eggs, tomatoes and strawberries, among many others.

Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, is another member of the vitamin B family that can be found in a number of skincare and anti aging products. As part of a skincare formula, B3 is able to aide in brightening and even lightening dull, discolored complexions, improving elasticity, decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as prevent water loss and dehydration. Food sources that are rich in B3 include salmon, mushrooms, asparagus, venison and chicken.

Vitamin B12, which also goes by the name cyancobalamine, is the latest must-have ingredient in a majority of anti aging products in stores today. This vitamin B member is touted as being responsible for lush, healthy and glowing skin. Without the proper doses in your system, being deficient in B12 can result in premature aging. In addition to finding B12 in anti aging creams, you can also eat foods such as milk, fish, eggs, poultry, meat and milk products.

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