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I was wondering if someone can compare the functionality of vitamin A, Bx (x means numbers, such as 1, 2, 3, ...), C, D, E, K in the skin? They are used in cosmetics but what is their actual effect?

If there is some source that compares between them in particular, I think it will help me understand some important basics.

Some products:

GNC Vitamin C Moisturizing Cream

GNC Vitamins E, A & D Moisturizing Cream

Reviva™ Labs Alpha Lipoic Acid Vitamin C Ester & DMAE Cream

Reviva™ Labs Vitamin K Cream

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I added a section to your question to ask for the effect the vitamins have on skin in general separating it out from their presence in cosmetics. Feel free to re-edit if I've missed your point. – Rory M♦ Nov 24 '12 at 23:21
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Bx and C are water-soluble so unless there are special uptake systems that I'm not aware of, they should have 0 effect if you rub them on the skin... – Armatus Nov 24 '12 at 23:25
@Armatus: Perhaps I was not accurate enough. There are cosmetic products with ingredients of Bx and C derivatives. – Tim Nov 25 '12 at 1:48
Yes, my guess was that using those vitamins would probably be purely for marketing purposes, not for any actual effect :) Except for hair products maybe, but your question is about skin. – Armatus Nov 25 '12 at 13:12
@Armatus (1) Why different for hair and skin? (2) How about their various derivatives, some of which may be more stable, soluble in water or oil, and therefore used for skin products? Such as L-Ascorbic Acid (a derivative of VC) has been used as antioxidant, VB3 and VB5 have been used for anti-aging. – Tim Nov 25 '12 at 13:26
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migrated from chemistry.stackexchange.com Nov 24 '12 at 20:21

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