Vitamin E Review

Overview

Vitamin E is an essential vitamin that is necessary for proper skin health and disease prevention. Used heavily in anti-wrinkle creams to reduce skin aging, Vitamin E is available nearly everywhere -- just visit your local grocer. Some believe that applying this mineral to your skin reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and there is some truth to this. Vitamin E is also a powerful skin protector, used in sunscreens to block UVA rays.

Vitamin E has numerous benefits with few side effects, but this vitamin alone cannot decrease all signs of aging. Like any other vitamin, it must be taken with other minerals to be fully effective. This means consumers must eat a healthy diet to gain the antioxidant benefits of this disease-fighting vitamin. There are other downsides to Vitamin E, including questionable benefits in the reduction of scars, but consumers should not skip this essential vitamin. When used as a wrinkle reducer Vitamin E is still under scrutiny, but the health benefits of this vitamin might be worth more than a few unwanted wrinkles.

Let's see how Vitamin E truly works.

Product Details

Vitamin E is a powerful vitamin, and an abundance of it could improve your skin. Vitamin E is first regarded as a powerful antioxidant (a chemical that repairs damaged cells) and does help repair damaged cells in the epidermis. Some experts believe damaged cells in the epidermis promote wrinkles and fine lines -- this is not scientifically proven, however. It is proven that free radicals in the epidermis will increase skin aging, but does not necessarily increase wrinkles or fine lines. An abundance of free radicals can result in dull, blotchy skin and loss of skin elasticity.

Unfortunately, vitamin E does not help in one important area: the reduction of stretch marks. It was previously believed vitamin E could eliminate stretch marks, but new evidence proves the opposite. In one clinical study, participants noticed darkening and worsening of stretch marks, contrary to previous trials.

If you plan to take Vitamin E, there's another catch -- this only improves the skin when applied topically. Vitamin E is a common ingredient in many skin creams, including cocoa butter. It also does not target all modules of skin refinement and the de-aging processes, so although it may decrease advanced skin aging, it won't help improve the overall look of your skin.

The Good

• Is a fundamental vitamin for rejuvenating skin.
• Is found in nearly all anti-wrinkle creams, and also in oral supplements.
• There are no side effects if taken appropriately.

The Bad

• Must be applied topically to work.
• Might worsen stretch marks and scars.
• Vitamin E is not guaranteed to decrease wrinkles and fine lines.
• Needs to be used with other ingredients to be effective.

The Bottom Line

Vitamin E is vital for your skin's health, but it's not necessarily a miracle worker. It is important to use creams enhanced with vitamin E to nourish your skin, but look for anti-wrinkle creams that depend on other ingredients for the best defense against premature aging.