Vitamin E Cream for Acne Scars

Many skin creams contain vitamin E, advertising its multiple benefits for your skin. It can be confusing to wade through this language to decipher whether vitamin E has any proven affect on acne scars. It turns out that this is one of the more controversial benefits of vitamin E.

Significance

Vitamin E is made of fat soluble compounds that have strong anti-oxidant properties. These properties protect the cell membrane from the damage of harmful free radical such as UV radiation, pollution and cigarette smoke. Vitamin E works to prevent oxidation by regulating the retinol (vitamin A) levels in the skin. This creates stronger capillary walls, nourishment for cells and red blood cell protection. These are all good things, but do they reduce acne scarring?

Effects

In a study published in Dermatologic Surgery in April 1999, 15 patients who had undergone skin cancer removal surgeries were given skin cream with and without vitamin E. Results for 90 percent of the patients showed that vitamin E had no effect on the scarring. Thirty-three percent contracted dermatitis or other forms of irritation from the vitamin E cream.

Potential

While cream containing vitamin E may not work on reducing acne scars, there are studies that show the potential benefits to scar repair through the consumption of natural sources of vitamin E. A study in the August 2000 edition of International Journal of Experimental Pathology reported that mice with low levels of antioxidants delayed wound healing.

Considerations

The National Institute of Health has found synthetic vitamin E to be half as active as vitamin E in its natural form. So while choosing a skin cream with vitamin E will have some benefits for your skin, it is wise to also get vitamin E through food sources or supplements to maximize your skin's health.

Alternatives

Natural sources of vitamin E are found in almonds, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, peanut butter, peanuts, safflower, sunflower and wheatgerm oils. Vitamin E supplements are also widely available.

References

• Acne Resource Center
• American Chronicle
• National Institute of Health

Resources

• Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Research Center