Vitamin E

Vitamin E is the collective name for a group of fat-soluble compounds with antioxidant activity. It is found naturally in some foods, added to others and sold as a supplement. In cosmetics, its forms are used as antioxidants and skin-conditioning ingredients.

Forms and sources

Natural vitamin E exists in eight chemical forms: alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocopherol and the four matching tocotrienols. Only alpha-tocopherol is recognised to meet human requirements for vitamin E. Good food sources are nuts, seeds and vegetable oils; green leafy vegetables and fortified cereals also contain it. Most supplements provide alpha-tocopherol. The synthetic form, labelled all-rac, dl or DL, is about half as active as the natural form, labelled RRR, d or D.

In the body

As a fat-soluble antioxidant, vitamin E stops the production of reactive oxygen species that form when fat oxidises. Antioxidants might protect cells from the damage these molecules cause. Vitamin E is also involved in immune function. Many health claims have been made for it. In clinical trials, however, vitamin E supplements have not been shown to prevent cardiovascular disease, and the evidence does not support their use to prevent cancer.

How much

In the United States, the recommended intakes are 15 to 19 mg a day for adults and 4 to 19 mg for infants, children and adolescents, depending on age and life stage. Most people there consume less than these amounts, but clear vitamin E deficiency is rare. Groups more likely to get too little include preterm infants with very low birthweight and people with disorders that impair fat absorption.

Too much and medicines

No adverse effects have been reported from large amounts of vitamin E from food. High doses from supplements, however, have been linked in clinical trials to a higher risk of haemorrhagic stroke. In the United States, the upper intake level for supplemental vitamin E is 1,000 mg a day for adults and 200 to 800 mg for children and adolescents, depending on age. Vitamin E supplements can interact with some medicines, including anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs, simvastatin and niacin, and possibly with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

In cosmetics

Tocopherol for cosmetics is isolated on a commercial scale from vegetable oils or made synthetically. In cosmetics, tocopherols work as antioxidants or skin-conditioning agents. In 2014 the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) expert panel concluded that they are safe as used in cosmetics.

Pure alpha-tocopherol has limited stability at room temperature. The most common form of vitamin E in skin care and sunscreen products is therefore its ester, alpha-tocopherol acetate. On ingredient lists it appears as tocopheryl acetate; the EU cosmetic ingredient database (CosIng) lists it as an antioxidant and skin-conditioning ingredient.

In a study with volunteers, the acetate applied to the skin was absorbed less than free alpha-tocopherol, and little of it was converted to the free form. In 2001 the EU Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products found that it does not pose a threat to consumer health and proposed no restrictions on its use.

Products containing it

• All Day Fit A-Z Compact tablets (S 06)
• Anti-Aging Face Cream With Lavender (I 885)
• Anti-Irritation Face Cream With Calendula (I 890)
• Body Cream With Lavender And Herbs (I 879)
• Body Cream, Argana (I 337)
• Body Lotion With Calendula And Avocado (I 783)
• Body Lotion With Lavender And Jojoba Oil (I 886)
• Cell Care Capsules (D 238)
• Energizing Face Cream, Eucalyptus Nun's Valley Madeira (I 140)
• Eye Contour Cream, Secret Of Serenity (I 406)
• Face Cream, Argana (I 897)
• Fito 40 capsules (S 07)
• Forever Young Capsules (S 03)
• Intimate Wash Lotion, Bodycare (I 872)
• Linofit capsules (D 223)
• Massage Oil, Eucalyptus Nun's Valley Madeira (I 141)
• Nigenol Capsules (D 222)
• Peppermint and green tea tablets (S 08)
• Pomegranate seed oil capsules (D 227)
• Red Berry (D 234)
• Shampoo With Calendula (I 778)
• Shampoo With Dead Sea Salt, Viva Activ (I 779)
• Shampoo With Tea Tree Oil (I 777)
• Shower Gel, Eucalyptus Nun's Valley Madeira (I 142)
• Skin Cream With Calendula (I 781)
• Skin Cream With Jojoba Oil (I 780)
• Skin Function Oil, Argana (I 338)
• Ultra Liver Protection Plus Vitamin E capsules (S 01)