How Vitamin E Heals, Inside and Out
Vitamin E may be one of the more common skincare ingredients out there, but don't let that put you off. It's one of the best vitamins for promoting healthy, glowing skin - and in the same league as vitamin C.
While the best source of vitamin E comes from vitamin E supplementation and foods such as sunflower seeds, vegetable oils, wheat germ, and hazelnuts, it's equally as beneficial when applied topically to the skin. From restoring sun damaged skin to addressing dryness, let's take a look into why you should be stocking up on vitamin E.
WHAT IS VITAMIN E?
Vitamin E is an essential nutrient with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It helps support the immune system, cell function, and (as we're focusing on in this article) skin health.
Many people take vitamin E supplementation for a number of reasons. Mainly it's for health purposes. See, high doses of vitamin E can boost the immune system, prevent oxidative stress in the body and reduce the symptoms of fatty liver disease, retinopathy, alzheimer's disease, heart disease, cystic fibrosis, and age-related macular degeneration.
Researchers say it can also reduce your cancer risk and your risk of getting cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and heart attacks. Indeed, its protective effects are impressive and a great added value to public health. Other scientists say vitamin e supplementation can also increase immune function, prevent heart failure, and lessen the risk of prostate cancer. With regular vitamin E supplement use, users can promote a healthy and disease-free body.
As important as vitamin E intake is, don't ignore its skin-beautifying effects. This vitamin may combat Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, and age-related macular degeneration, but studies show it also does wonderful things for the skin.
Increase your vitamin e intake by all means, but don't ignore the myriad of vitamin e skincare products out there just waiting to transform your complexion.
HOW VITAMIN E BENEFITS THE SKIN
In addition to keeping your body healthy, vitamin E can also treat a variety of skin conditions like psoriasis and acne. Thanks to its antioxidant properties, vitamin e can fight free radicals that cause premature aging in the skin too.
Approved by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), getting enough vitamin E both topically and internally is an excellent way to improve the appearance of your skin. Clinical trials show that the use of vitamin e in skincare tackles a number of skincare concerns. In some cases, the use of vitamin E topically offers more potent anti-aging effects than some antioxidant supplements.
"Topically, it can be very helpful [for] a range of skin disorders, as well as skin repair," says dermatologist Ava Shamban. "It assists in various kinds of cellular restoration from sun damage to healing support for scars or burns."
Let's take a look at the main beauty benefits of vitamin E.
Prevents Cell Damage
Antioxidants are important both topically and internally as they prevent oxidative damage to cells by diminishing free radicals.
"Free radicals are on a destructive quest to become stable, so they are ready and willing to snatch an electron from anything that comes in its path, including DNA, skin proteins, connective tissues, and cell membranes," explains cosmetic chemist Ni'Kita Wilson. "The more you can quench the free radicals' thirst for stability, the better your skin will be protected, which is where vitamin E comes into play."
In fighting off free radicals, vitamin E can shield the skin from sun damage too.
Moisturizes and Heals
Vitamin E contains tocotrienols that help to moisturize and health the skin. According to a systematic review of vitamin E, it additionally helps to strengthen skin barrier function, which basically prevents any bad stuff getting in.
According to studies published in the BMJ and AMD medical journals, vitamin E (tocotrienol) is also a natural anti-inflammatory, so it can help calm the skin and tackle any irritation. Just like fatty acids and beta-carotene provide anti-inflammatory effects, meta-analysis reports show that vitamin E is just as effective.
Relieves Skin Conditions
From eczema to psoriasis, vitamin E is an excellent treatment for inflammatory skin conditions. If you have a vitamin e deficiency, you may even notice an increase in dryness or worsened skin conditions. That's because a vitamin e deficiency signifies you are getting too less of a vitamin that play a crucial role in skin health.
This alpha-tocopherol vitamin prevents the increased risk of dry skin, eczema, psoriasis, and acne. So whatever the form of vitamin e (serums, creams, multivitamins, or food sources), you can definitely look forward to better skin. If you're not getting much vitamin E, this could be the cause of your skincare complaints.
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
Thankfully, vitamin E is a natural and safe product. Whether you take it as a dietary supplement or as part of your skincare routine, it's generally safe to use for all skin types.
Of course, if you have sensitive skin and you're new to using vitamin E, start small and then increase the amount you use to prevent irritation.
TO TRY OR NOT TO TRY?
According to the NIH and RDA, the recommended dietary allowance of vitamin E is around 15mg per day. You can easily get enough vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol or d-alpha-tocopherol) through dietary reference intakes. The food and nutrition board in the United States strongly recommends taking such fat-soluble vitamins to promote healthy blood cells. Just like vitamin D is important for healthy bones and muscle weakness, vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol) protects the immune system and keeps the skin healthy.
Good sources of vitamin E come from wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds, and beta-carotene food sources. Combined, high-dose vitamin E and beta-carotene pose even more potent benefits. The institute of medicine has carried out a number of randomized controlled trials and vitamin e cancer prevention trials to confirm its powers. That doesn't mean it's any less important that vitamin K or vitamin D, but it does show how effective it can be in preventing heart attacks and reducing the risk of prostate cancer.
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