What is vitamin E?
Vitamin E is naturally found in our bodies, certain foods, and if you look closely to the label, you’ll notice that it’s in many skincare products. It’s a natural anti-inflammatory, so it can be soothing and help calm the skin. It can also strengthen skin barrier function.
There are eight different forms of naturally occurring vitamin E, however, the ones found in skincare are tocopheryl acetate and tocopherol. These forms are found in skincare because, according to the National Institute of Health, they are the only form of vitamin E that’s recognised to meet human requirements.
How does Vitamin E benefit my skin?
Our skin is constantly stressed by the environment we are in. Things like unprotected sun exposure and air pollution are the main stressors. Vitamin E fights off these free radicles, creates a protective layer on your skin and helps assist cellular restoration.
Some of the main benefits of Vitamin E in skincare products include:
Anti-aging
Lack of proper skincare, as well as excessive intake of substances such as alcohol and tobacco, can accelerate your skin’s aging process. Vitamin E is an essential component in anti-aging products as it is an antioxidant. This helps to fight free radicals which protect the skin from damage and ultimately could help minimise the risk of wrinkles appearing.
Combats Dryness
Vitamin E helps the skin retain its natural moisture. The barrier it creates to protect the skin from free radicals also helps prevent water loss from the skin. Thus, when using skincare products enriched with vitamin E, the skin can appear brighter, more moisturised and healthier.
Helps heal Sunburns
Vitamin E can also aid in the relief from pain and discomfort associated with Sunburn. UV damage from extended sun exposure can lead to skin redness, stinging and irritation. Vitamin E is easily absorbed into the skin and can have a calming and healing effect. Furthermore, Vitamin E is also often added to sunscreen lotions to improve the quality of the sun protection it provides.
Fades Scars
Vitamin E is a wonder ingredient when dealing with scar removal. Vitamin E can soften the skin and lead to the lightening and smoothing out of the appearance of small scars. Vitamin E supports the skin’s natural regenerative process in order to replace damaged skin cells with new ones. It is important to note, however, that Vitamin E may not be as visibly effective on larger scars such as those from surgery.
Fades Stretch Marks
Similarly to its effectiveness on scars, Vitamin E is also effective in improving the appearance of stretch marks. Pregnant women should reach for their Vitamin E enriched skincare as soon as the stomach starts expanding. Furthermore, Vitamin E can help with the appearance of already existing stretch marks.