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Vitamin E Pills for the Skin

Jun 15, 2011 | By Tanya Louise Coad
Vitamin E Pills for the Skin
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Vitamin E is widely referred to as the "skin vitamin," leading many people to supplement vitamin E pills assuming they have benefits. However the scientific data is mixed, and you're wise to be seeking more information on the topic if you're considering supplementing. And, it's best that you first consult with your doctor.

Antioxidant Defense

You've probably heard of the antioxidant capabilities of vitamin E. According to researchers reporting in the June 2009 issue of "Clinics in Dermatology," these capabilities in vitamin E extend to maintaining skin health. Vitamin E is the body's major fat-soluble antioxidant and comes in eight forms. Four are tocopherols and the remaining four are tocotrienols. Tocopherols are the most important for defending skin cells against damage and are concentrated in the lowest layers of the skin, where they're released by sebum. Vitamin E supplements help build up reserves in the biologically active form known as alpha-tocopherol.

Fast Acting Antioxidant

Vitamin E is an important antioxidant because it works fast at scavenging lipid-peroxyl radicals before they can destroy other lipids, thereby ending the lipidperoxidation chain reaction. Lipidperoxidation refers to the oxidation of lipids. Lipid-peroxyl radicals are lipid free-radicals, and they steal molecules from healthy lipids to repair themselves. This is terrible for your skin, because lipids are the building blocks of the skin matrix. Researchers reporting in the October 2001 issue of "Nutrition" explain that vitamin E is the most effective antioxidant for quickly neutralizing the lipidperoxidation chain reaction.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer rates continue to climb in spite of widespread use of commercial sunscreens, a fact that prompted researchers reporting in the December 2010 issue of "Clinics in Dermatology" to review studies performed on vitamin E's melanoma protective properties. Although they found many animal studies demonstrating a benefit, they found only one showing a benefit in humans. They further cited an earlier analysis of 19 clinical trials that reported supplementing more than 400 IU vitamin E was associated with increased all-cause mortality. This is a finding you should discuss with your doctor if you're considering vitamin E supplementation.

Topical Application

You may have heard of the adage that breaking open a vitamin E pill and rubbing the oil on a wound will prevent scarring. But, according to dermatologists reporting in a December 2007 issue of "Skin and Aging," vitamin E is fast rising up the list of common contact allergens. Contact allergens are substances that produce an allergic reaction when touched. The doctors reporting in the article are emphatic that people must be cautious, because those who are hypersensitive to vitamin E can develop anaphylaxis, respiratory distress that can be severe and potentially fatal.

References

Article reviewed by GlennK Last updated on: Jun 15, 2011

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