Known for its antioxidant action, hydrating benefits and photoprotective qualities, Vitamin E is a versatile ingredient your skin will love.

Vitamin E is a chemical compound required for the proper function of many organs in our body. From boosting the immune system and aiding cellular signalling to maintaining healthy eyes, blood, brain and more, Vitamin E is a multi-taking vitamin that nourishes your body and skin.

Often listed as tocopherol, Vitamin E is an essential ingredient often incorporated into skincare products, thanks to its hydrating, antioxidant, healing and protective qualities. At ChitoCare beauty, we have included it in our skincare line, so you can make the most of this powerful antioxidant vitamin. 

Benefits of Vitamin E

Like all vitamins, Vitamin E boasts many good qualities that benefit our health, including our skin. Like everything in life, the right amount is key and, thankfully for your skin, Vitamin E has been formulated in different potencies to treat different kinds of needs. Typically, people with sensitive skin should use high-potency serums with caution or after consulting with their healthcare professional. Let’s look at some of the basic qualities of Vitamin E that every skin type can benefit from.

Antioxidant

Like most vitamins, Vitamin E works as an antioxidant. Antioxidants are the warriors of the body, preventing cells and DNA from oxidative stress damage. Oxidative stress occurs when there is a proliferation of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that can cause damage to healthy cells, DNA, connective tissues, cell membranes, and collagen and elastin fibers. Side-effects of oxidative stress in the skin include sagging, dryness, fine lines, wrinkles, itching, soreness, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, texture changes or loss of elasticity. Moisturizers and lotions containing Vitamin E, like ChitoCare beauty Body Lotion and Hand Cream, can help fight free radicals and keep skin protected from environmental aggressors.

Moisturizing

One of Vitamin E’s special qualities is its ability to protect the skin’s lipid barrier. Harsh cleansers and soaps, or scrubbing too hard, can strip your skin’s lipid barrier of natural oils your skin needs, causing dryness, cracking or tightness. A healthy lipid barrier will prevent moisture (oils) from escaping, sealing up the little cracks that lead to loss of water and oils. In products such as our ChitoCare beauty Hand Cream and Body Lotion, Vitamin E absorbs and locks in moisture, keeping the lipid layer of the skin healthy and your skin smooth and soft.

Photoprotection

Vitamin E is depleted by ultraviolet light (UV) sources, like sunlight, tanning beds and blue light. When applied topically in the form of creams, lotions and serums, Vitamin E penetrates the surface of the skin and protects the top and middle layers, called the epidermis and dermis. When combined with Vitamin C, together they can provide great photoprotection from UVB rays.

As sun damage is the number one cause of premature skin aging, by absorbing UVB rays, Vitamin E can help treat the results of sun damage, such as inflammation, swelling, redness, itching and roughness. Creams and moisturizers containing Vitamin E can provide a soothing, calming effect to the skin, especially for people suffering from skin diseases like eczema or dermatitis.

It is important to note that Vitamin E alone is not sufficient protection from UV radiation at large, as it does not block UVA rays. A sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher should be used daily to provide adequate protection from the sun. Our ChitoCare beauty Face Cream is a good place to start, containing SPF 15, moisturizing coconut oil, restorative aloe vera leaf juice and anti-aging Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract.

Where to find Vitamin E

Vitamin E can be found in many foods: vegetables like sweet peppers, broccoli, beet greens, collard greens and spinach, fruits like kiwi, mango, orange and apricot, oils like sunflower and soybean oil, nuts and seeds like almonds, peanuts and sunflower seeds, legumes, whole wheat flour, even some meats and dairy products. In skin care, Vitamin E has great emollient qualities, so it is most often used in the form of lotions, oils and creams, while several different forms of Vitamin E have been developed to best bring out its active qualities.

Tocopherol is a type of Vitamin E that occurs naturally, while tocopheryl acetate is synthetically processed. Such processing of Vitamin E has the benefit of clearing the final formula of pesticides and other chemicals and toxins, making it perfectly safe for the skin while also maintaining its bioactive qualities. ChitoCare beauty Hand Cream and Body Lotion contain tocopherol, while our ChitoCare beauty Face Cream contains tocopheryl acetate. These both act as powerful antioxidants, protecting cells and DNA from harmful free radicals and promoting cellular beauty.