Is Vitamin E Effective When Applied Topically?

vitamin E cream

Vitamin E in cream form

When it comes to health and beauty, vitamin E is considered one of the most beneficial in skin care. As an anti-oxidant, it helps slow down the aging process and strengthens the nails and hair. Vitamin E often comes in capsule form. However, in recent years, more and more people are applying it topically. Many people claim that this powerful anti-oxidant can do wonders when applied directly to the skin.

Did You Know that Vitamin E Comes in Different Forms?

According to New York based plastic surgeon, Dr. Stafford Broumand, vitamin E comes in different chemical formulations, four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. Each of the four tocopherols and tocotrienols exists in alpha, beta, gamma and delta forms. Of all these forms, alpha tocopherol is the most beneficial to humans.

Can Vitamin E be Applied Directly to the Skin?

Society has since evolved to make use of oral vitamins as topical application. Most of the time, vitamin E capsules are punctured and the oil is applied directly to the skin. It is believed that vit. E oil can hasten wound healing, prevent the formation of scars, prevent wrinkles, help sun damage skin recover and help in removing acne scars.

Is Vitamin E Effective as a Topical Application?

According to the Linus Pauling Institute, a micronutrient research division of the Oregon State University, vitamin E is effective as an anti-oxidant when applied directly to the skin.

Vitamin E is absorbed by the epidermis and dermis. With continued application, it can accumulate in the lipid matrix and cell membranes of the stratum corneum. However, the rate absorption varies and several external factors can also influence the effects of vit. E to the skin. For instance, exposure to UV rays can make it unstable that it is easily destroyed in the skin. For this reason, guidelines should be kept in mind when applying topical vitamin E.

Vitamin E oil

Vitamin E in oil form

How to Improve the Efficacy of Topical Vitamin E?

Topical vitamin E can be stabilized by applying vitamin E conjugates concomitantly. These conjugates can either be tocopherol esters or tocotrienol esters.

To increase its absorption and anti-oxidant function, take vitamins C and E together. When both of these vitamins are combined, they act as a strong barrier against the harmful UV rays of the sun. Vitamin C also has anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it a good partner in repairing damaged tissues and wound healing.

Choose skin care products that contain vitamin E than using capsules meant to be taken orally. Vitamin E enriched skin care products are specially formulated to be absorbed by the skin and typically comes in cream, oil or lotion form. Capsules, on the other hand, contain vitamin E oil, which may feel heavy and thick on the skin when applied.

Although it is your own choice, as to which form of vitamin E to use, the absorbency and efficacy of the chosen form should be considered. It also depends on your reason for applying the product. If you are trying to combat excessive dryness, then vitamin E oil is recommended. However, if it is for anti-aging and skin maintenance, then cream or lotion is better.

 

Photo credit: beaut.ie & Vitacost



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