What Are All The Usages Of Vitamin E For Skin?

Vitamin E is a key ingredient in a growing number of skin care products such as anti-aging creams and sunscreens. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that works to kill free radicals (destructive toxins in the body that damage DNA). If free radicals are not stopped dead in their tracks, they may accelerate the aging process. According to AltMD.com, skin problems are a sign that the toxins in your body are not being properly eliminated. Vitamin E may help maintain healthy skin as well as correct a number of skin conditions.

Acne

Vitamin E may help treat acne and reduce the appearance of scars the condition sometimes leaves behind. A study co-sponsored by the Department of Dermatology at Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, Germany, and the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology in Berkeley, California, found that vitamin E works to prevent oils trapped in skin pores from turning rancid and hardened. This shielding effect was found to reduce the chances of developing inflamed, painful acne lesions, which are often more prone to scarring. The findings of the study were reported in the "Journal of Investigative Dermatology" in 1999.

Dry Skin

Vitamin E is regarded as a viable healing agent for dry skin. A number of moisturizing products contain vitamin E. You can also apply it directly to the skin by puncturing a pin-sized hole into a vitamin E capsule.

Psoriasis

Vitamin E may help to diminish the effects of psoriasis, a common skin disease that causes an excess of flaky skin cells that commonly occur on the elbows, knees, nails, scalp and mouth. To treat psoriasis, apply vitamin E directly to wet skin.

Sunburn

Vitamin E may guard against and treat sunburn. Vitamin E lotions may help protect the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) from UV damage. It may also enhance the effectiveness of sunscreens.

Photodermatits

Photodermatitis is a condition that occurs when the skin has an allergic-type reaction to the UV rays of the sun. Taking vitamin E supplements in combination with vitamin C may reduce such sun sensitivity, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.