Skin & Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an essential fat-soluble vitamin and antioxidant that is present in foods and supplements. Many types of lotions, oils, skin and scar creams also contain vitamin E as an ingredient and claim to improve skin or help reducing the effects of aging. Benefits of vitamin E for health conditions such as heart disease and cancer have not been determined.

Antioxidant Properties

Antioxidants include nutrients such as vitamin E, vitamin C, selenium and beta carotene, according to the American Dietetic Association. Antioxidants help prevent or repair cell damage in the body caused by free radicals. Free radicals are believed to damage cells and contribute to certain disease such as cancer and heart disease. They are also believed to contribute to the process of aging.

Anti-aging

There are many claims that vitamin E has anti-aging properties. However, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, research has not shown that vitamin E decreases skin wrinkling, texture or discoloration. Vitamin E combined with vitamin C in vitamin supplements may help protect skin from sun damage. It’s important to note that consuming vitamin E in excess may be harmful.

Scars

Some skin creams containing vitamin E claim to help fade scars. However according to Medline Plus, there is no evidence that applying topical vitamin E to scars will help heal or improve the appearance of the scar. Applying vitamin E directly to skin may even cause irritation. However, according to the Cleft Palate Foundation, aside from skin irritation, there are no other known negative effects from using topical vitamin E skin creams on scars.

Vitamin E Recommendations

According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, vitamin E recommended dietary allowances for adults are 15mg per day; women who are breastfeeding require 19mg of vitamin E per day. Tolerable upper intake levels for vitamin E, or the highest amount that can safely be consumed, are 1,000mg per day for adults.

Vitamin E Sources

Sources of vitamin E include dietary supplements and food sources. When consuming vitamin E supplements, a health-care provider should be consulted and care should be taken to not consume vitamin E in excess. Food sources of vitamin E include fortified cereals, nuts and seeds--especially almonds and sunflower seeds--vegetable oils--especially sunflower and safflower oils--peanut butter, wheat germ and leafy green vegetables, such as spinach.