Vitamin E has a well-deserved reputation for easing skin problems. It is commonly used in skin lotions and creams, and it may also benefit the skin when taken orally. However, it isn't a cure-all. Talk to your doctor before using it to treat your skin condition.
Function
Vitamin E plays a role in immune system function. Like other antioxidants, vitamin E protects the body from cell-damaging free radicals generated by the ultraviolet rays of the sun, stress, and pollution. Free radicals can prematurely age the skin and rob it of elasticity. In fact, depletion of vitamin E from the outermost layer of the skin is one of the first events in the skin-aging process, according to a review in the "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology." In many skin care preparations, vitamin E is used as both an emollient and a humectant, smoothing the skin and helping it trap and retain moisture from the atmosphere.
Research Studies
Controlled studies indicate that the topical application of vitamin E may reduce sunburn, diminish the incidence of skin cancer, and perhaps even retard the growth of melanoma, according Dr. Jacqueline Junkins-Hopkins writing in the "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology." Vitamin E may also play an important role in acne prevention. Dr. Z. El-akawi wrote in "Clinical & Experimental Dermatology" that people with acne had significantly lower levels of vitamin E in their bloodstreams compared with healthy volunteers without acne. A study published in "Journal of Drugs and Dermatology" showed that vitamin E, when combined in a topical ointment with silicone and hydrocortisone, is more effective than placebo for healing scars. However, research has not shown vitamin E to be effective for healing scars when used alone.
Considerations
Vitamin E is made only by plants and must be obtained through dietary sources. Nuts, spinach, whole grains, olive oil and sunflower oil are high in vitamin E, but even with the healthiest diet, it can be difficult to get the recommended daily amount of 15mg/day. An adequate amount of vitamin E is included in most multivitamins. You can also take vitamin E as a stand-alone supplement.
Types
There are eight types of vitamin E. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, the type known as alpha tocopheryl acetate is the most effective for penetrating the skin. A review in the "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology" claimed that the most effective concentrations of vitamin E in skin preparations range from 0.1 to 1 percent. Pure vitamin E can be topically applied to the skin, but it is also effective when used as an ingredient in creams, serums and lotions.
Considerations
Studies are not conclusive about the practical uses of vitamin E as a skin treatment, so ask your doctor for advice. Don't take over 1,000mg per day. Vitamin E can cause excess bruising in people who take anticoagulants or who have blood clotting issues. Direct application to the skin is generally considered safe, but it can cause contact dermatitis in people who are sensitive to it. Test vitamin E first on the inside of your forearm before applying it elsewhere.
References
- "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology"; Antioxidants and Their Chemopreventive Properties in Dermatology; J. Junkins-Hopkins; April 2010
- "Clin Exper Dermatol"; Does the Plasma Level of Vitamins A and E Affect Acne?; Z. El-Akawi; May 2006
- Linus Pauling Institute: All About E
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