Vitamin E is a set of eight fat-soluble antioxidants, but only one of those---alpha-tocopherol---plays a useful role in human health. Alpha-tocopherol is commonly labeled simply as vitamin E on nutritional supplements or ingredient lists. Vitamin E is produced solely by plants, and humans must obtain it by either eating plants rich in alpha-tocopherol, or by taking supplements. Whether gained through eating spinach or taking a vitamin capsule, vitamin E helps keep skin smooth and healthy.
Antioxidant
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant which helps remove oxygen-free radicals that can cause sun damage or skin cancer. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, skin creams that contain antioxidants can reduce the risk of sun damage to the skin and provide protection on a more permanent basis than rub-on sunscreens, because antioxidants build up in the skin and aren't washed off by swimming or showers. Dr. Maret G. Taber, in an interview reported by the Linus Pauling Institute of the University of Oregon, advises that about 5 percent of the alpha-tocopherol contained in skin creams penetrates through the skin surface and provides strong antioxidant effects to the living cells deep in the skin.
Smoothing Wrinkles
Vitamin E applied topically diminishes small wrinkles and smooths rough skin. UMMC advises that topical vitamin E decreases skin roughness and diminishes the length and depth of facial wrinkles, while the Northwestern Health Sciences University notes that vitamin E improves skin texture. Vitamin E can be applied topically by piercing one end of an alpha-tocopherol gel cap and rubbing the liquid onto the skin or by using a skin cream infused with vitamin E. For a more intense treatment for rough, dry hands, soak your hands in warm water for 20 minutes, pat dry with a soft towel, then coat your hands with vitamin E liquid. Slip on cotton gloves and leave them on until morning. This will ensure that the vitamin E has time to effectively penetrate to deep skin layers.
Winterizing
The harsh, cold winds outdoors and dry, hot air indoors make winter particularly tough on skin. The NHSU suggests consuming extra quantities of vitamins A, B, C and E during winter months to help skin cope with the ravages of winter weather. These vitamins can be obtained through taking supplements, and vitamin E can be added to your diet by eating leafy green vegetables, such as spinach and kale. Berkeley University Health Services also suggests adding nuts and seeds to your diet to bolster vitamin E intake. Vitamin E is especially important in winter, according to NHSU, because it helps all other vitamins in the body to function more effectively.
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