Vitamin E For Skin Problems

Vitamin E is a lipid-soluble molecule that has been used in skin treatments and cosmetics for many years. However, studies on the efficacy of vitamin E for the treatment of specific conditions are often contradictory. The strongest evidence available for the use of topical and oral vitamin E indicates it has photoprotective, wound healing and skin stabilizing properties. Safety studies have shown that vitamin E is relatively harmless and works best when used in combination with vitamin C.

Photoprotection

Human skin contains a molecule known as alpha tocopherol, which is similar to vitamin E. A study by Thiele et al. showed that vitamin E and its analogs are the main antioxidants found in human skin. The study found that upon exposure of skin to UV rays, areas with the least vitamin E exhibited the highest oxidative damage. This suggests a role for vitmain E in photoprotection. According to Manela Azulay et al., these effects are limited to vitamin E applied before sun exposure. Application of vitamin E after sun exposure has no effects.

Healing

Vitamin E has been used in the past to help heal skin lesions because of its purported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. A 2009 study by Fiori et al. tried to systematically address the true effectiveness of this treatment. In the study, patients with skin lesions caused by systemic sceloris were treated with vitamin E gel. They found that "resolution of pain was faster" for patients who received vitamin E treatments. They concluded that topical vitamin E can reduce the time it takes skin lesions to heal.

Combination With Vitamin C

A major concern with vitamin E containing cosmetics and over-the-counter treatments is its inherent instability. According to Dr. Burke of the Mount Sinai Medical Center, the stability of vitamin E is compromised the minute the product is opened and exposed to air and light. Vitamin C is known to regenerate the active form of vitamin E, so combining these two vitamins can have a synergistic effect.

Safety

Several safety studies have been performed to pave the way for vitamin E to be used widely in skin treatment. Most of these studies have been geared toward exploring the possibility that vitamin E can cause an allergic reaction known as allergic contact dermatitis. A compilation of studies and case reports has been published by Kosari et al. They conclude that allergic contact dermatitis is rare despite widespread use of vitamin E in skin care products and therefore recommend vitamin E remain an ingredient in these products.

More Work is Needed

Although vitamin E has been used for a long time, there is still a lot of contradictory information about it. In 2007, Thiele et al. expressed a need for more controlled clinical studies to assess the true effects of vitamin E. Only in this way can the efficacy of vitamin E for specific skin conditions be fully elucidated.