We know the value of vitamins for the body, but vitamins applied topically to the skin also deliver a number of benefits for the complexion.
A repertoire of vitamin facials will allow you to cater to your clients’ healthy lifestyle and boost your earning potential. Vitamins aren’t just good for the body – when you’re an esthetician, they’re also great for business!
Adding a Variety of Vitamin Facials to Your Repertoire
There are a variety of vitamin facials being offered at esthetics practices and spas throughout the U.S., each of which offers unique benefit for the skin. From improving skin’s texture and tone to fading dark under-eye circles, vitamin facials are where it’s at.
Just a few of the unique vitamin facials offered at esthetics practices and spas include:
- Anti-Aging Vitamin C Facial: Joseph Anthony Retreat Spa and Salon, Glen Mills, PA
- Vitamin Infusion Facial Treatment: The Spa at the Hotel Hersey, Hershey, PA
- European Facial with Vitamin C Treatment: Mario Badescu Skincare, New York City
- Environ Active Vitamin Facial: Skin3 Salon, London, England
- Skinceuticals Vitamin C Facial: Vitality Center, Vail Mountain Lodge, Vail, CO
- Revitalizing Vitamin C Facials: Aesthetic Solutions, Lafayette, CO
- Multi-Vitamin Hydrating Facial: Ritz Salon and Spa, Burleson, TX
Vitamin C
The most popular facial is, without a doubt, the Vitamin C facial. Widely offered as a firming and skin lightening facial, Vitamin C facials deliver proteolytic enzymes to remove excess melanin and dead skin cells that cause uneven skin tone. Vitamin C is recognized for its anti-aging properties, with its antioxidants fighting free radical damage and brightening dull, uneven tone and texture.
Vitamin C is even ideal for sensitive, rosacea-prone, mature, and dry/dehydrated skin.
As a mask, peel, or serum, Vitamin C is all about keeping the skin younger-looking. Vitamin C can:
- Boost healthy collagen production for firmer skin
- Fade red marks and help boost the skin’s natural healing process
- Increase the skin’s defense against UV exposure
- Reduce inflammation and irritation
- Reduce the appearance of brown spots and other types of sun damage
In skincare products, Vitamin C is most often in the form of ascorbic acid. This form of Vitamin C is highly effective when used alone in higher concentrations (15-20 percent) or when mixed with other antioxidants.
But that’s not all – Vitamin C in other forms has also proven beneficial for the skin. Facial products with Vitamin C—masks, peels, scrubs, and serums—may come in these other effective derivatives:
- Ascorbyl palmitate
- Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate
- Retinyl ascorbate
- Sodium ascorbyl phosphate
- Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is the anti-aging powerhouse vitamin, used in facials to treat the effects of pollution, sun exposure, and other free radicals. Vitamin A has been shown to improve the skin’s natural moisture and promote the production of healthy collagen and elastin.
Vitamin A facials reduce:
- Uneven skin pigmentation
- Acne, rosacea
- Sun-damaged, thin skin
- Wrinkles, scars
Vitamin A is most often used in chemical peels, which allows it to penetrate the deeper layers of skin. The result is fresher, hydrated skin. Although Vitamin A can be an acid peel (AHA or BHA), it may also be formulated into a non-acid retinol peel, along with antioxidants and nutrients that repair the skin.
Vitamin A thickens and stimulates the skin, thereby reducing wrinkles, increasing blood flow, and slowing down the breakdown of the skin’s collagen and elastin.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D infused facials promote healthy, glowing skin and a strong immune system. Vitamin D is naturally absorbed by the skin through sun exposure. However, because so many people avoid the sun, esthetics spas offer Vitamin D facials to give clients the benefits of Vitamin D without the sun’s damaging UV rays.
Vitamin D facials promote skin cell production, restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier, and protect against environmental and sun damage. The results of Vitamin D facials include illuminated, moisturized, and smooth skin. Vitamin D is infused into facials via a peel, mask, or serum, all of which work to resurface, smooth, refresh, and hydrate the skin.
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B3 (called niacinamide in skincare products), most often found in creams and serums that can be added to a facial, increases the production of ceramides and fatty acids, both of which work to protect the skin’s protective barrier. The stronger the barrier, the more capable the skin is of retaining moisture.
Vitamin B3 is most often used on clients with dry or sensitive skin, although it has also been shown to decrease the appearance of rosacea and minimize dark spots.
Advanced Training in Vitamin Facials for Estheticians
Facials are part and parcel of any comprehensive esthetician program that meets the requirements for state licensure.
Focusing your efforts on the infusion of vitamins into your facial services will not only allow your clients to benefit from topical vitamins but will also expand your menu of facial services to better serve a broader customer base.
Many esthetician schools offer courses in advanced facials, which often include studying vitamin facials specifically. For example, the Aesthetic Spa Facial Academy offers what they call the Premier Online Facial Course, which includes training in Vitamin C facials.
Salon product manufacturers also often offer courses in vitamin facials specific to their product line. For example, Murad offers estheticians training on how to apply their Sun Undone Vitamin C Infusion Facial.