Vitamin E in skin care is a great ally to support a smooth, moisturised, and radiant complexion. This humble ingredient is playing more of a protective role in your skincare than you may realise!
What is Vitamin E?
The best way to protect your skin from signs of premature ageing? Ensure your diet and skincare routine are jam-packed with vitamins for antioxidant power.
Antioxidants prevent the free radical damage (oxidative stress) that attacks skin cells and leads to signs of fine lines, dry skin, sunspots and wrinkles.
This is where Vitamin E in skin care can play a beneficial role in your routine.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that is oil soluble (this means it can only be dissolved in oil) and healthy skin calls for a balance of both water and oil-soluble nutrients.
Different forms of Vitamin E
As an ingredient in skincare, Vitamin E can be naturally or synthetically derived and both offer the benefits of antioxidant activity.
Vitamin E occurs in eight different forms, but tocopherol is the only form used by our bodies. What is Vitamin E used in skin care? When checking the ingredients in Vitamin E skin care products you’ll find it listed as tocopherol or tocopheryl acetate.
Vitamin E skincare benefits
Vitamin E in skincare promotes a soft, healthy and youthful-looking complexion thanks to a variety of benefits.
Support hydration in the skin barrier
As an oil-soluble ingredient, Vitamin E is effective for a dry complexion and does a superb job at increasing moisture retention in the skin’s outer layer.
This is particularly good news for dry and sensitive skin types that lack moisture in the skin barrier which leads to flaking, cracking and flares of sensitivity.
A strong, resilient barrier is better able to prevent water loss through the skin - a process known as transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
While some TEWL is common, dry and sensitive skin types can lose excessive amounts of water due to a compromised skin barrier - which is a characteristic of this skin type.
Your skin needs natural lipids (oils) to retain moisture - lipids act like ‘glue’ to bind the skin cells together and reduce the formation of ‘cracks’ in the skin surface. In turn, minimising water loss. Vitamin E skin care works to replenish natural lipids and keep this barrier strong.
By promoting hydration in the all-important skin barrier, Vitamin E assists in strengthening the skin against external stressors like allergens and toxins.
For all-round barrier support, include both oil-soluble and water-soluble ingredients, like Vitamin B5 and niacinamide, in your routine.
Improves the appearance of dark spots
Vitamin E can penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, rather than only working on the surface. By accessing the deeper layers it can help minimise the appearance of pigmentation (brown spots) for a smoother, more even skin tone.
When Vitamin E is teamed with Vitamin C (more on this in a moment) this combination can help brighten the skin too.
Minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Free radicals are the #1 enemy of collagen. They speed up the signs of ageing by breaking down the collagen in the skin.
Collagen, along with elastin, provides structure and ‘bounce’ for the skin. When the cells are attacked by free radicals, they become weak and this leads to sagging and the appearance of fine lines.
As an antioxidant, Vitamin E skin care slows this process down and helps support the integrity of collagen and the firmness of the skin. While it might not have the stellar reputation of Vitamin A for slowing the signs of ageing, this workhorse ingredient can still play a helpful role in keeping skin youthful.
Helps the effectiveness of SPF
Vitamin E can help defend the skin against cell mutation which is caused by exposure to the sun and pollution.
A study reported that topical use of Vitamin E for skin care led to significantly less acute and chronic skin damage induced by UV rays.
Vitamin E shouldn’t replace your daily SPF but it can bolster your protection when used together.
The dream team: Vitamin E and Vitamin C
When Vitamin E meets Vitamin C in a skincare formula, it’s a master pairing.
This powerhouse duo is advantageous for the skin because both ingredients help stabilise each other in skincare formulations and can boost collagen production, minimise hyperpigmentation and improve skin texture overall.
Research shows that pairing these two ingredients can also help prevent the formation of acne comedones and increase SPF protection even further than Vitamin E alone.
But can it heal wounds?
Google the benefits of Vitamin E for skincare and you’re sure to find claims of its power for healing wounds and scars. While there may be anecdotal evidence to support speedier healing, such results are unsubstantiated by clinical data.
What you need to know about pure Vitamin E capsules and oil
For some, if Vitamin E is applied directly to the skin in a capsule form it may negatively impact the skin and cause contact dermatitis.
This is a fairly common reaction, especially for those with sensitive skin. As such, it can be risky to apply pure Vitamin E in capsule or oil form directly to the skin without patch testing.
No matter what skin care you are using, we recommend always patch testing before applying a new formulation liberally to the skin.
Vitamin E for Skin care with Vela Days
Here’s where you’ll find this beneficial ingredient (listed as tocopherol) in the Vela Days range.
Moisturising Active Oil Serum for the Face
This silky fast-absorbing and deeply hydrating face oil contains rare plant oils, L22®, active phyto-extracts, and Coenzyme Q10 to repair compromised barrier function and provide a powerful, glowing boost for your skin and day.
Multi-Active Hydrating Face Serum
The Active Compound is a one-of-a-kind serum that gives your skin the optimum dose of each essential vitamin and nutrient for glowing skin. Innovative actives, minerals, adaptogens, and antioxidants naturally brighten, soothe, fortify, and support your most radiant complexion morning and night.
Our truly unique gel texture is made from rare plant oils which contain vitamins A, B, D & E and Omega 6 & 9 to restore skin, thoroughly purify pores and provide long-lasting moisture for the skin, rinsing off cleanly.
Shop the Complete 3-Step full skincare routine pack today.
