The benefits of vitamin E on skin have been touted in several studies. A recent report, outlined April 12, 2010, on the American Academy of Dermatology's website, supports the effectiveness of certain vitamins, including vitamin E, in oral or topical forms to prevent, slow or reverse the effects of sun damage. Vitamin E also has been reported to help aid in nail care and health.
Expert Insight
"It is well documented that ultraviolet (UV) radiation contributes to premature skin aging through the process of photoaging," researcher Jenny Kim reports. Prevent such skin damage before it occurs by using vitamin E, Kim stresses in the study, published online in the "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology." Evidence "supports the potential role of vitamins A, C, E, and B3 in modifying the photoaging process," Kim says.
Photoaging is defined as the cumulative detrimental effects, such as as wrinkles or dark spots, on skin that result from long-term exposure to sunlight, especially ultraviolet light, according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary.
2005 Studies
Prior studies on vitamin E have found similar results. Taking vitamins E and C combined with ferulic acid protects "against oxidative stress in skin and should be useful for protection against photoaging and skin cancer," according to a 2005 report in the "Journal of Investigative Dermatology." The study is titled "Ferulic Acid Stabilizes a Solution of Vitamins C and E and Doubles its Photoprotection of Skin."
Topical and oral vitamin E have anticarcinogenic, photoprotective and skin barrier-stabilizing properties, according to a 2005 report in "Dermatologic Surgery," the official publication of the Association of Dermatologic Surgery.
Yellow Nail Syndrome
Discovery Health's website describes vitamin E as "an antioxidant that protects and repairs your skin." The Discovery Health site reports: "Antioxidants are agents that neutralize the oxidant effect of free radicals, which are molecules that damage collagen and cause skin dryness, fine lines and wrinkles. ... When your skin takes a beating from outside factors, such as the sun's ultraviolet rays, your body can produce free radicals. ... When they form inside your body, they steal electrons from healthy cells like the ones that make up your skin." A damaging chain reaction ensues, the site says, and that is where the use of antioxidants like vitamin E are helpful.
Dissenting Views
While its preventative uses are well-documented, there is no evidence that once skin damage or other ailments occur, vitamin E will be beneficial in treatment, some experts say. Detractors say there is no proof that vitamin E helps skin conditions. Once promoted as safe and effective to treat eczema, vitamin E does not live up to this claim, EczemaNet reports. "Studies show that adding zinc, vitamin E, or vitamin B6 supplement also has not proven effective in treating atopic dermatitis," the website says.
Yellow Nail Syndrome
Prevent yellow nail syndrome with sound nutrition, reports Diet-and-Health.net. The website says 50 percent of all nail disorders are the result of fungal infections. "More common in toenails than fingernails, they often cause the end of the nail to separate from the nail bed," Diet-and-Health.net reports. Using topical vitamin E solution with oral itraconazole is one treatment used to combat the disorder, according to DermNetNZ, the website of the New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated. "Some studies have shown that nutritional supplementation with vitamin E appears to be effective in controlling yellow nail syndrome," the organization reports.
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