How Does Vitamin E Help the Skin?
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Sun Damage
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Vitamin E is essential for good skin health, especially when dealing with ultraviolet (UV) light damage. The antioxidants in vitamin E help to fight the free radicals created from exposure to UV rays, while at the same time aiding the carotenoids given by vitamin A that also help fight UV damage. Applying vitamin E topically can help prevent sun damage or treat sunburn, and it increases the effectiveness of regular sunscreen. All of these factors work together help prevent skin cancer.
Skin Damage
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In addition to its protection from UV rays, vitamin E protects the skin from air pollution. It helps to reduce wrinkles, stretch marks or age spots, and may even help to cover scar or burn damage. Taking vitamin E regularly can help to prevent diseases such as erythema or psoriasis.
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Use
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Vitamin E can be taken either topically or orally. Topically yields the most effective results, although taking it orally allows it to help areas besides the skin. Ideally, vitamin E should be used in its alcohol form, since that contains the antioxidants that protect best against sun damage.
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