Vitamin E

Vitamin E: Anti-Aging Antioxidant

What is Vitamin E?

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that is commonly used in skin care products to prevent free radical damage, fight the signs of aging, and protect the skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Although, the name makes it sound like a single substance, Vitamin E is actually a family of eight fat-soluble vitamins that perform different functions throughout the body.

There are two different categories of Vitamin E—Tocopherols and Tocotrienols. The Vitamin E family is made up of four Tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) and four Tocotrienols (also alpha, beta, gamma, delta).

Alpha-Tocopherol is the most prevalent type of Vitamin E and is also the most fat-soluble Both topical and oral forms of Vitamin E effectively protect the skin from free radical and UV damage. Studies have shown that the topical application of Vitamin E increases vitamin levels in skin and adipose tissue, preventing skin damage from the sun.

How does Vitamin E work?

Vitamin E is universally known as the "youth-preserving" vitamin. Women have used vitamin E to maintain their beauty for centuries. Vitamin E fights free radicals, harmful skin damaging factors found in the sun, environment and electronics like the computer. Free radicals are blocked and repaired by vitamin E. Vitamin E also rebuilds collagen for a youthful appearance.

Sun exposure can cause oxidative stress in skin cells. However, Vitamin E works together with other nutrients to prevent oxygen from becoming too reactive when stressed. By calming the oxygen molecule, Vitamin E prevents oxidation and free radical damage to other cells.

Studies have even found that after topical and oral Vitamin E use, skin showed less acute and persistent skin damage induced by UV rays. They have also found that Vitamin E usage resulted in later onset and lesser incidence of skin cancer.

What conditions does Vitamin E treat?

In addition to its anti-aging, free radical fighting properties, there is also evidence that Vitamin E repairs skin damage from acne. Studies have shown that Vitamin E reduces the appearance of scars left by acne and that acne in both men and women improved with Vitamin E treatment.

Vitamin E also regulates Retinol (commonly known as Vitamin A) levels. Retinol is essential for keeping skin healthy, maintaining good vision and nourishing membranes in the body. A decrease in Retinol leads to an increase of oxidation in cells, which in turn leads to a toxic effect and cell damage. Vitamin E minimizes cell oxidation and equalizes Retinol levels.

Additionally, lack of Vitamin E can result in dry skin, damaged hair, easy bruising, eczema, psoriasis, PMS, poor wound healing and hot flashes. Adding topical Vitamin E or taking it orally can lessen the severity of some of these issues.

Vitamin E is non toxic when found in natural sources. However, if taking Vitamin E as a supplement, it should be noted that an increase in Vitamin E intake, combined with Vitamin K deficiency can cause prolonged bleeding time because blood has trouble clotting.

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