Antioxidant known for its anti-photoaging properties (caused by the sun).
Vitamin E (also known as tocopherol or tocotrienol) is a fat-soluble vitamin. Unlike water-soluble vitamins, it is soluble in fats, so the body can absorb and store it. It is the main fat-soluble antioxidant in our skin. It has many properties: anti-free radical, moisturizing, antioxidant, soothing, healing (helps repair and improve the appearance of damaged tissues)... It is also a natural preservative that prevents rancidity caused by free radicals in vegetable oils or butters. Thanks to vitamin E, we obtain smooth, supple, moisturized skin that fights against external aggressions and mainly free radicals.
Vitamin E has different modes of action:
Vitamin E neutralizes excess free radicals in the skin, which are known to cause premature aging. It also helps stimulate the production of collagen, a protein that determines the elasticity of the epidermis.
Free radical scavenging prevents prostaglandin synthesis. This limits inflammation and reduces erythema and edema. Numerous studies show that vitamin E has excellent photoprotective properties, meaning it can protect the skin from UV rays (primarily UVB). It works synergistically with vitamin C, providing antioxidant activity and photoprotection.
It strengthens the skin's hydrolipidic film. Water loss is gradually reduced over the course of applications. Hydration is maintained and the skin is protected from external aggressions.
Vitamin E applied to the skin increases the level of nutrients in the epidermis. This allows for faster regeneration of skin tissue cells.
Vitamin E is used in many different cosmetic products. It is very often used as an antioxidant for the product itself. Thus, vitamin E is found in any formulation containing an oil phase: creams, balms and moisturizing milks for the body and face, shower gels, shampoos and conditioners, cleansing milks or bi-phase cleansing milks, clay masks, scrubs and exfoliants. But also in any oil-based preparation: massage oils, beauty oils, butters... It is particularly useful for the creation of anti-aging creams, after-sun repair treatments or creams for dry skin. Vitamin E is used at a concentration of 0.1 to 0.5% depending on its role (preservative or corrective active ingredient).
Anyone can use vitamin E. However, its use is particularly effective and remarkable for dry and sensitive skin because it is very oily. Furthermore, vitamin E is compatible with all the products in your daily skincare routine. Interestingly, vitamin E works synergistically with other antioxidants such as vitamin C or ferulic acid. However, you must be careful to follow these usage guidelines. Always test the product to see how your skin reacts.
« Since the discovery that vitamin E is the primary lipid-soluble antioxidant in skin that protects cells from oxidative stress, practitioners have used it to treat a wide variety of skin lesions ».
Baumann, Leslie S. Cosmetic dermatology. McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing, 2009. Source
« Topical vitamin E reduced erythema, sunburn cells, chronic UV-B-induced skin damage, and photocarcinogenesis in the majority of the published studies ».
Eberlein‐König, B., and J. Ring. "Relevance of vitamins C and E in cutaneous photoprotection." Journal of cosmetic dermatology 4.1 (2005): 4-9 Source
« In humans, it has been shown that UV-induced expression of human macrophage metalloelastase, a member of the MMP family involved in degradation of elastin, could be inhibited by pre-treatment with vitamin E (5%) ».
Chung, Jin Ho, et al. "Ultraviolet modulation of human macrophage metalloelastase in human skin in vivo." Journal of Investigative Dermatology 119.2 (2002): 507-512. Source
«Topical application of such combinations may result in a sustained antioxidant capacity of the skin, possibly due to antioxidant synergisms. And, since UVA-induced skin alterations are believed to be largely determined by oxidative processes [26], topical administration of antioxidants might be particularly promising ».
« regular application of skin care products containing antioxidants may be of the utmost benefit in efficiently preparing our skin against exogenous oxidative stressors occurring during daily life. »
Dreher, Frank, and Howard Maibach. "Protective effects of topical antioxidants in humans." CURRENT PROBLEMS IN DERMATOLOGY-BASEL- 29 (2001): 157-164.
« (…) improvement in fine lines and wrinkles, skin firmness, skin elasticity, skin laxity, hyperpigmentation, radiance, and skin roughness over baseline in 12 weeks. Ultrasound measurements (…) showed an average improvement of 18.9% in dermal thickness suggesting significant dermal remodeling. These studies confirm that topical resveratrol, baicalin, and vitamin E are valuable ingredient that can be used for skin rejuvenation ».
Farris, Patricia, et al. "Evaluation of efficacy and tolerance of a nighttime topical antioxidant containing resveratrol, baicalin, and vitamin e for treatment of mild to moderately photodamaged skin." Journal of drugs in dermatology: JDD 13.12 (2014): 1467-1472 Source
Cassano, R. "Vitamin E chemistry, biological activity and benefits on the skin." Handbook of diet, nutrition and the skin. Wageningen Academic Publishers, 2012. 144-163. Source
« Experimental evidence suggests that topical and oral vitamin E has anticarcinogenic, photoprotective, and skin barrier–stabilizing properties ».
« (…) combinations with co-antioxidants such as vitamin C may help enhance the antioxidant effects and stability of vitamin E ».
Thiele, Jens J., Sherry N. Hsieh, and Swarna Ekanayake‐Mudiyanselage. "Vitamin E: critical review of its current use in cosmetic and clinical dermatology." Dermatologic surgery 31 (2005): 805-813. Source