The antioxidant properties of Vitamin E are often harnessed to protect formulas from oxidation. In addition to this, it prevents premature skin aging by limiting the harmful attacks of free radicals induced by sunlight and pollution.
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Vitamin E, an antioxidant that keeps the skin firm.
Summary
- Vitamin E in a nutshell
- Oxidative stress, one of the main factors of skin aging
- How does Vitamin E work to combat oxidative stress?
- Sources
Published April 27, 2022,
updated on June 30, 2024,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
4 min read
Vitamin E in a nutshell.
The vitamin E (INCI name: Tocopherol) is a fat-soluble compound (which likes fatty substances) essential to the body for its growth and functioning. It is present in many vegetable oils (avocado, sweet almond, olive, sunflower...) as well as in various foods (nuts, mango, kiwi, spinach, red peppers...). At the skin level, vitamin E is an essential component of sebum, it ensures its protection against oxidation.
In cosmetic formulations, vitamin E can be of synthetic origin (derived from petrochemicals) or natural. At Typology, the vitamin E is 100% plant-based; it is extracted from sunflower seed vegetable oil.
Oxidative stress, one of the main factors of skin aging.
Oxidative stress is a phenomenon directly related to the body's production of oxygen radical species (or free radicals). These compounds are highly unstable due to their unpaired electron. To stabilize and form an electron pair, they degrade many components essential for maintaining firm and elastic skin, such as collagen and elastin. Additionally, they trigger a reaction called "lipid peroxidation," which degrades compounds present in cell membranes and sebum, significantly affecting the skin's lipid barrier. Even though this phenomenon is inevitable and natural, it is greatly exacerbated by various external factors such as exposure to the sun's UV rays (referred to as photoaging), pollution, smoking, stress, etc. As a result, signs of aging on the skin's surface (wrinkles, fine lines, sagging, age spots) appear more rapidly.
How does Vitamin E work to combat oxidative stress?
Several studies have demonstrated the antioxidant properties of Vitamin E when applied topically. From a chemical perspective, the free hydroxyl function carried by the aromatic ring of this compound captures free radicals and stabilizes them by providing the missing electron. As a result, these radicals become less reactive and no longer degrade the compounds present at the cellular level of the skin.
To mitigate skin aging induced by various environmental factors, vitamin E has been an active ingredient in cosmetics for about fifty years now. When applied topically, vitamin E helps to slow down the formation of wrinkles and fine lines, maintain skin firmness, reduce the risk of age spots appearance, and restore radiance to a dull complexion.
Furthermore, the antioxidant action of Vitamin E is greatly enhanced when it is combined with Vitamin C in the same skincare product. Therefore, we have incorporated these two vitamins into our Firmness & Radiance complex, which provides both preventive and corrective action against the appearance of aging signs. The epidermis is toned, and the complexion is even and luminous.
Sources
EKANAYAKE-MUDIYANSELAGE S. & al. Vitamin E in human skin: Organ-specific physiology and considerations for its use in dermatology. Molecular Aspects of Medicine (2007).
DAHMANE R. & al. Skin photoaging and the role of antioxidants in its prevention. ISRN Dermatology (2013).
HASSAN I. & al. Vitamin E in dermatology. Indian Dermatology Online Journal (2016).
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