What you need to know about Vitamin E.

The vitamin E is primarily known for its antioxidant effects, benefiting the body, skin, and hair alike. Indeed, it protects the various cells of the body from oxidative stress induced by external aggressions such as the sun, pollution, or even tobacco. The excessive generation of free radicals damages lipids, proteins, and DNA, leading to an acceleration of cellular ageing. As a result, vitamin E is often used in cosmetics to slow down skin sagging, the appearance of white hair and hair loss. However, its benefits do not stop there:

• Vitamin E stimulates blood circulation.

  Vitamin E also promotes cellular renewal and supports the anagen phase, or hair growth phase, thanks to its vasodilatory properties. Indeed, this molecule can stimulate the production of nitric oxide (NO) by the endothelial cells of the blood vessels, which causes a relaxation of the smooth muscles of the vessels and promotes blood flow. This property of vitamin E is also useful in case of a feeling of heavy legs.

• Vitamin E has anti-inflammatory properties.

  Vitamin E can also inhibit certain inflammatory processes such as the NF-κB and JAK-STAT6 signalling pathways, involved in the production of cytokines and chemokines. Several studies conducted with patients suffering from acne or psoriasis, inflammatory dermatoses, have obtained encouraging results following the oral intake of vitamin E. As for its topical application, the evidence is still lacking.

• Vitamin E can alleviate hyperpigmentation.

  Brown spots are a very common skin issue that is difficult to tackle. Although it's not a miracle solution, vitamin E appears to be able to reduce their appearance, when taken orally and/or applied topically. Its effectiveness is based on its ability to suppress the activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme that catalyses the production of melanin. For enhanced action, it is recommended to combine vitamin E with vitamin C, which also has depigmenting properties.

• Vitamin E to preserve oil-based formulations.

  Even though it is not legally possible to classify vitamin E as a preservative, its antioxidant properties enable it to prevent the oxidation of oily cosmetic formulas. It thus protects these from air oxygen and UV rays, preventing them from losing quality and effectiveness, or even becoming comedogenic.

Vitamin E is essential for the proper functioning of the body. In adults, the recommended daily nutritional intake is 12 mg, this figure varies slightly depending on the individual's sex and weight. Cases of overdose (> 1000 mg/day) are rare but can lead to digestive disorders, migraines, fatigue, chest pain or even an increase in blood pressure. Due to its vasodilatory properties, the intake of vitamin E is not recommended for patients taking anticoagulants or those who have had a stroke.

Generally, it is not recommended to take dietary supplements without medical supervision.

With regards to the vitamin E found in cosmetics, it is a gentle active ingredient often used at concentrations less than 0.5%. In 2014, the CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) concluded its safety in skincare when incorporated at concentrations of 0.5% or less. These results concern not only tocopherol but also the following derivatives, which are sometimes found in cosmetics: ascorbyl tocopheryl acetate, ascorbyl tocopheryl maleate, dioleyl tocopheryl, methylsilanol, potassium ascorbyl tocopheryl phosphate, sodium tocopheryl phosphate, tocophersolan, tocopheryl acetate, tocopheryl linoleate, tocopheryl linoleate/oleate, tocopheryl nicotinate tocopheryl phosphate tocopheryl succinate, tocotrienols.