The antioxidant properties of Vitamin E are frequently utilised to protect formulas from oxidation. In addition to this, it prevents premature skin ageing 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 ageing
- How does Vitamin E work to combat oxidative stress?
- Sources
Published February 23, 2024,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
4 min read
Topics:
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 ageing.
Oxidative stress is a phenomenon directly linked to the body's production of oxygen radical species (or free radicals). These compounds are highly unstable due to their unpaired electron. In order to stabilise and form an electron pair, they degrade many components essential for maintaining firm and elastic skin, such as collagen and elastin. Furthermore, 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 ageing 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 stabilises them by providing the missing electron. As a result, these radicals become less reactive and no longer degrade the compounds present at the level of skin cells.
To counteract skin ageing induced by various environmental factors, vitamin E has been an active ingredient in cosmetics for around fifty years. 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 appearing, and restore radiance to a dull complexion.
Furthermore, the antioxidant action of Vitamin E is significantly enhanced when combined with Vitamin C in the same skincare product. As such, we have incorporated these two vitamins into our Firmness & Radiance complex, which provides both preventive and corrective action against the appearance of ageing signs. The epidermis is toned, and the complexion is even and luminous.
Sources
EKANAYAKE-MUDIYANSELAGE S. & co. 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. et al. Vitamin E in Dermatology.Indian Dermatology Online Journal (2016).
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