Learn how this essential supplement can aid your efforts to treat skin conditions.
Vitamins, minerals and botanicals are often touted as effective ingredients that can provide skin with moisture and glow. Vitamin E is one of these renowned nourishment sources; in fact some people take supplements with Vitamin E for skin health – but is this really worth investing in or just an inflated marketing ploy?
Amy Kassouf, MD explains the role vitamin E plays in maintaining healthy skin and provides insight as to whether or not it can treat conditions such as dryness, wrinkles and sun damage.
What Is Vitamin E And How Can It Help Your Skin ?
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an effective cancer preventative, safeguarding cells against damage in our bodies. Sebum (skin oil), in particular, contains more vitamin E due to its ability to retain moisture within skin tissues; oilier areas of skin (such as facial features) contain greater amounts of sebum which contains vitamin E
Sebum, along with vitamin E levels, normally declines with age. Vitamin E is likewise exhausted by bright light (UV) sources like:
- Sunlight.
- Tanning beds.
- Some fluorescent, halogen and incandescent light bulbs.
How Vitamin E Benefits Skin
Research on how vitamin E benefits skin is progressing rapidly.
Dr. Kassouf notes that studies attempting to prove its direct therapeutic role have failed. Additionally, its effects are relatively innocuous; all it does is help reduce skin aging and moisture loss more generally.
In creams, vitamin E:
- Stops skin from losing moisture.
- Protects cells from damage.
- Softens skin.
Soften Skin. Its Dr. Kassouf believes vitamin E could also reduce sun damage by blocking UVB rays and decreasing your skin’s aggressive response, which includes:
- Swelling.
- Blushing.
- Thickening.
Vitamin E may block some UVB radiation, though not entirely. Furthermore, it provides no protection from UVA rays that cause sunburn and skin cancer; research studies have proven this fact. Furthermore, vitamin E does not prevent or assist with treating skin cancers either.
Consistent sunscreen application is essential to the wellbeing of skin protection. Therefore, it’s vital that daily routine of applying sunscreen be maintained.
Rub Unadulterated Vitamin E Oil On Skin
Dr. Kassouf recommends vitamin E for those suffering from dry, flaky skin because it enhances moisturization.
However, if your skin is oily or prone to breakouts, additional vitamin E supplements may not be necessary; your sebum production provides sufficient amounts.
Effective vitamin E oil penetrates to protect both the top and center layers of skin.
“Vitamin E may provide an effective remedy for individuals looking to make their skin less dry and itchy,” according to She.
Utilize An Item That Contains Vitamin E
Use of lotion containing vitamin E could provide an effective combination to aid the product in protecting skin cells more efficiently while simultaneously blocking other substances from infiltrating and causing irritation on your skin, according to Dr. Kassouf.
Search for products containing vitamin E to incorporate it into your skin care routine; its name usually reads tocopherol or tocotrienol; lotions with just 0.1% can help increase vitamin E levels in skin. Even better are products combining both vitamins – both cancer prevention agents!
Consume It
“Ideally, vitamin E should be obtained through food sources but supplements may also provide protection from outside threats such as sun damage,” notes Dr. Kassouf. Studies are beginning to reveal the possibility that cell reinforcements could provide extra defense from sun-induced damage.
Food sources high in vitamin E include:
- Sunflower seeds and oil.
- Nuts.
- Corn oil.
- Spinach.
- Broccoli.
- Kiwi.
- Mango.
Mango. For adults taking supplements, Dr. Kassouf advises them to adhere to a daily dietary allowance of 15 milligrams. Avoid exceeding this daily allowance as too much vitamin E stored in fat stores could reach harmful levels; she suggests speaking to their healthcare provider prior to beginning any supplements.
Vitamin E won’t miraculously get rid of wrinkles or stop sunburn from happening; but products containing it may benefit dry skin, while taking an adequate dose could aid your body with resisting environmental stresses from all directions.
