Does vitamin E help with scarring?
Vitamin E is one of the longest-favoured ingredients in skin care, generally touted as a miracle worker for skin beauty and health. You’ve likely spotted it in oils, creams and serums, or heard word-of-mouth stories about using it for almost any skin issue. But when actually applied to repair specific issues such as wrinkles and scarring, does vitamin E live up to the buzz?
In this article, we analyse the research to determine how effective vitamin E really is at reducing the visibility of scars and wrinkles.
Does vitamin E help with scars?
The idea that vitamin E enhances the appearance of scars is a myth, spread mostly through word-of-mouth testimony and anecdotal evidence. Some people use vitamin E topically on wounds and scars in the hope of making them less visible for a better overall appearance. Yet, if we consider the scientific evidence, there’s very little to support vitamin E’s effectiveness in that regard – in fact, some evidence suggests the opposite!
For example, a large double-blind, placebo-controlled trial examined the impact of topically applied vitamin E on surgical scars. Patients having skin cancer excision surgery in this trial applied a cream containing vitamin E or a placebo cream to various parts of their scars for four weeks.
After this period, the scars were assessed by doctors and patients alike – neither of whom knew whether the cream used was a placebo or contained vitamin E. In 90% of the cases, topical vitamin E did nothing and, in some situations, actually made the scars look worse. The study concluded that topical vitamin E does not benefit the cosmetic appearance of scar tissue.[1]
Aside from the absence of any cosmetic improvement, another issue of serious concern raised by this study was the risk of excessive contact dermatitis. Nearly 33% of the patients in the study experienced a painful rash, redness and an itching sensation on the area of scar tissue treated with vitamin E cream. This suggests that in some people, application of vitamin E directly to the skin, particularly on healing wounds, may be more of a problem than a solution. Some other studies have also indicated side effects to topical vitamin E, such as contact urticaria and eczematous dermatitis.[1]
Though vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps to reduce cell damage caused by oxidative stress – a key mechanism in wound healing – the evidence to support its efficacy in reducing or preventing visible scars is thin. And because there is a risk of skin irritation associated with applying vitamin E topically, it’s not advised to use vitamin E creams to help limit the visibility of scars.
Can vitamin E help with wrinkles?
Vitamin E is also widely linked to anti-ageing cosmetic treatments. Often, these treatments cite vitamin E’s ability to keep the skin looking young and smooth – but does it really do this?
Well, the key thing to consider here is vitamin E’s role as an antioxidant, through which it protects skin cells against free radical damage. This kind of damage, caused by unstable molecules, is known to age the skin and lead to wrinkles.[4] In many cases, exposure to free radicals comes about due to environmental stressors such as UV radiation and air pollution.
By neutralising these free radicals, vitamin E can protect the integrity of skin cells and collagen fibres, helping to maintain the firmness and elasticity of the skin. If left unprotected against free radicals, collagen can begin to break down, eventually leading to the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
So, on paper, vitamin E’s antioxidant action could promote skin health and even reverse some signs of ageing such as wrinkles. However, there is little evidence to support this in scientific trials.
Vitamin E is added to most skin products for overall antioxidant activity, often in combination with other antioxidants such as vitamin C, to offer total protection to the skin. Use of antioxidant-filled products on a regular basis can add to overall skin health and protection against environmental elements that may cause or exacerbate premature ageing of the skin.
Does taking vitamin E orally help the skin?
In the sections above, we’ve focused on the topical application of vitamin E – in other words, applying directly to the skin in a cream, serum or similar cosmetic product. But what about taking vitamin E supplements?
Taking vitamin E orally in the form of supplements helps to deliver the nutrient in a more holistic way – it is distributed throughout the body and consequently reaches all tissues, including the skin. In this way, the antioxidant benefits of vitamin E can be achieved whichever way you take it.
For instance, oral supplementation with vitamin E and selenium can protect the skin from oxidative stress and hair damage by removing skin lipid peroxides – molecules formed by the oxidative action of free radicals.[2] Vitamin E supplementation has also been shown to be effective in reducing skin malondialdehyde levels, which is a marker of ultraviolet radiation-induced oxidative stress.[3]
Finally, regardless of what topical treatment, oral supplement or combination you decide on, being familiar with the evidence-backed benefits and capabilities of vitamin E is important so you know what to expect. Thinking of starting vitamin E supplementation? Consult with a medical professional for expert advice on the best choice for your skin and overall health.
References
[1] Baumann, L. S., & Spencer, J. (1999). The Effects of Topical Vitamin E on the Cosmetic Appearance of Scars. Dermatologic Surgery, 25(4), 311-315.
[2] Pincemail, J., & Meziane, S. (2022). On the Potential Role of the Antioxidant Couple Vitamin E/Selenium Taken by the Oral Route in Skin and Hair Health. Antioxidants, 11(11), 2270.
[3] Richelle, M., Rollier, A., Applegate, L. A., & Offord, E. A. (2006). Effects of oral vitamin E and beta-carotene supplementation on ultraviolet radiation-induced oxidative stress in human skin. Journal of Dermatological Science, 42(2), 143-148.
[4] Nachbar, F., & Korting, H. C. (2004). The role of vitamin E in normal and damaged skin. Journal of Molecular Medicine, 82(1), 7-17.
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