Zinc and vitamin E have been used for many years as treatments for conditions in dermatology, or skin medicine. Zinc is an essential nutrient for proper enzyme functioning within all the organs in your body, including your skin. Vitamin E has protective antioxidant properties. Both zinc and vitamin E are present within skin tissue. Nutritional zinc deficiencies can manifest as skin abnormalities and treated topically with ointments or internally with supplementation.
Zinc
Zinc is a mineral involved in the activity of hundreds of enzymes within your body. It is highly prevalent in tissues with high cellular division, such as the epidermis of your skin. It functions in cellular growth, repair and maintenance. Also, it has a role in inflammation, immune response and skin protection. Zinc is naturally present in foods and available as a supplement.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E, or alpha tocopherol, is a fat-soluble vitamin functioning as a cellular antioxidant and a protein assisting in nerve signal transmission. Since vitamin E functions as an antioxidant, it has been studied for its photo-protective and wound-healing effects. Topical application studies, such as J.Y Lin's study at Duke Univeristy in the 2003 "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, prove the significance of vitamin E in reducing skin damage from ultraviolet exposure (see resource #1). According to Jens Thiele at Boston University in 2007 "Molecular Aspects of Medicine", adding co-antioxidants, such as vitamin C, to vitamin E products, may substantially increase the protective properties of sunscreens (see reference #2).
Faster Wound Healing
The skin requires higher levels of zinc during wound healing and ingested as well as topical zinc has been shown to enhance the rate of wound healing. Since wound repair involves a complex pathway of cellular biochemistry, zinc and zinc-containing enzymes become highly involved in the healing process. Zinc is critical to the repair process. Topical zinc allows absorption for early wound healing and promotes wound cleansing. Studies using vitamin E for enhancement of wound healing and prevention of scarring are currently inconclusive, as demonstrated by L.S. Baumann's 1999 study in "Dermatologic Surgery" done at the University of Miami (see resource #2). Therefore, it is not recommended by physicians at this time (see reference #5).
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
According to James Schwartz and co-authors for the Procter & Gamble Company in a 2005 issue of "Dermatologic Surgery", oral zinc has shown effectiveness in treating several inflammatory conditions, such as acne, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The zinc inhibits histamine, an important mediator of the inflammatory response. Also, it has an impact on the response of cells and cell messengers. Since dandruff, acne and psoriasis have inflammatory components, zinc is available in treatment products for these conditions. Pyrithione zinc, or ZPT, works in shampoos, while zinc oxide ointment treats diaper dermatitis. Both topical zinc and vitamin E formulations can be used to protect your skin from inflammation due to sunburn.
Protective Qualities
Zinc oxide cream is commonly used as a physical sunblock. The University of California's School of Medicine discusses how the white zinc cream reflects and scatters all UV radiation, protecting your skin without irritation. According to B.A. Jurkiewicz at the University of Iowa in an 1995 issue of "The Journal of Investigative Dermatology," vitamin E has photoprotective qualities, as well. If vitamin E is applied to the skin before UV exposure, it decreases itching, swelling and burning reactions. Also, chronic skin damage, such as wrinkles and tumor formation, can be diminished by topical vitamin E formulations, according to an article review by Jens J. Thiele that was published in 2007 in "Molecular Aspects of Medicine."
References
- "Nutritional Cosmetics Beauty From Within;" Zinc, Selenium and Skin Health--Overview of Their Biochemical and Physiological Functions; Bruno Berra, Angela Rizzo; 2009
- "Molecular Aspects of Medicine;" Vitamin E in Human Skin--Organ-Specific Physiology and Considerations for Its Use in Dermatology; Jens Thiele, Swarna Ekanayak-Mudiyanselage; June 2007
- "Dermatologic Surgery;" Zinc and Skin Health--Overview of Physiology and Pharmacology; James Schwartz, et al.; July 2005
- National Institutes of Health: Vitamin E
- "Canadian Family Physician;" Vitamin E for Treating Children's Scars; Dipen Khoosal, Ran Goldman; July 2006
- University of California, San Francisco; Sunblock; May 2007
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