You’ll find it in beauty treatments, scar healing products and overnight repair creams. It's also an important antioxidant in your diet, according to nutritionists and health experts.  

Vitamin E has become a popular buzzword in the anti-aging market, and is cropping up in supplements, topical skin treatments, and as an essential nutrient in the latest ‘superfood.’ 

Medispas and dermatologists are touting the benefits of Vitamin E treatments, recommending products that allow you to reap the rewards of this natural emollient and moisturizer. Is all that extra Vitamin E really beneficial to your skin and health, or is it just hype? A closer look at how Vitamin E affects your skin may make you think twice about reaching for that bottle of moisturizer:  

The Great Debate About Vitamin E

The debate continues about whether Vitamin E applied topically or taken internally has the same benefits. Vitamin E is listed as a key ingredient in many top selling beauty products including shampoos, face masks and stretch mark creams, largely because of its natural moisturizing properties. From anti-aging serums to hand lotion, Vitamin E has turned into the ‘miracle’ ingredient for treating dull, dry and aging skin.   

Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin that has many health benefits when it’s part of a balanced diet. Pat Kendall, Ph.D, a Food Science and Human Nutrition Specialist at Colorado State University reports that Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce cellular damage and may even prevent tissue loss from the aging process. A person’s daily requirements vary by age, gender and genetic dispositions, but deficiencies can lead to health problems such as diabetes, a weak immune system, and predisposition to developing certain types of cancer. 

Valuable food sources for Vitamin E include:  

• Wheat germ
• Hazelnuts
• Green, leafy vegetables
• Egg yolks
• Peanut butter
• Avocado
• Vegetable oil  

Still, there is not enough evidence available to suggest Vitamin E supplementation is required – it may be a beneficial addition to your menu, but has not yet been deemed a necessary supplement for the standard diet.   

It's also not the magical solution for correcting skin problems such as scars and stretch marks, according to cosmetic surgeon Dr. Geoffrey Heber in Sydney, Australia; “There is not a single clinical study that proves vitamin E gets rid of scars. Vitamin E does not play a role in wound healing and it has not been shown to remodel scar tissue.” (Source:  Sydney Morning Herald, Aug. 2003)  

The Bottom Line on Vitamin E

If you’re deciding between adding Vitamin E to your diet or your skincare regiment, a combination of both may be your best strategy. Vitamin E-infused skin treatments such as moisturizing facials at the medispa can help rejuvenate the skin for the short-term, while a well-balanced nutrition program can help you improve your health overall. The result? Radiant, youthful looking skin that is the result of ongoing skin maintenance and a healthy lifestyle.  

Learn more about skin rejuvenation in our information guide, or contact a dermatologist in your area for a complete skin evaluation. Addressing potential skin problems before they become untreatable is a simple strategy for overall wellness, and your doctor can help you learn more about the best solution for any problem areas.