Ganoderma
Health And Beauty Products - Do Vitamin E Creams Work?
Whilst skin care products generally won't deliver nutrients deep
into the actual living cells beneath the
superficial layers of the skin, the vitamin E in many products is
actually useful.
Scientists have found that by applying
antioxidants to the skin, free radical damage that would normally
occur through exposure to UV light (say, from the sun), can be
prevented or at least minimized. Vitamin E is a popular ingredient
in many skin care creams.
The scientists found that the protective effects of vitamin E
from that period of UV exposure were apparent 2 and 3 days later.
The group of people who had vitamin E cream applied to their skin
had less signs of inflammation than the group who were given the
lotion without vitamin E.
Inflammation is a sign of cell damage,
and was measured in this study by the amount of blood flow to that
area as compared to normal. This was a placebo controlled, double
blind study, which means that some people received the lotion with
vitamin E, some didn't and neither group knew which it was getting.
The conclusions these scientists made were that vitamin E was
effective at preventing the visible signs of aging on skin.
Whilst vitamin E in creams and lotions will benefit the skin,
there is strong doubt on whether it can help in some of the beauty
products it is in.
For example, when vitamin E is advertised as
being of benefit to strengthen or thicken eyelashes, this is
something of a misnomer, and is not supported by science. Paula
Begoun, the 'cosmetic cop' writes that there isn't a product out
there that will strengthen and thicken eyelashes. The best you can
do in this instance is to apply an eyelash primer and mascara to
make eyelashes appear thicker. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and the
research verifies only benefits that relate to this antioxidant
activity.
Another of the promises associated with vitamin E creams is that
it helps to heal scars. This is not something that has been
verified scientifically. Research quoted in Wikipedia found that
when vitamin E was applied to patients who had undergone surgery,
it did not reduce the size, shape, or color of scars. In fact, up
to one third of patients experienced complications like allergies,
dermatitis, and irritation that in fact can make a forming scar
worse.
Activated manuka honey is a much better option in reducing
scarring, and healing skin.
Vitamin E remains an excellent antioxidant. It is helpful when
taken as a supplement for a whole host of issues, including
protecting the liver, and minimizing the damage smoking does. And
it is great for the skin in terms of preventing sun damage from the
oxidizing effect of UV light.
It is a good 'beauty vitamin' when
taken as a supplement. Erica Angyal describes how it protects cell
membranes from damage and helps maintain their flexibility, which
can diminish as we age. It also works to increase the level of
vitamin A in our body. And it is very beneficial for skin problems
like acne and psoriasis.
She recommends taking 400 to 800 IU of
vitamin E a day, to prevent premature aging and improve the lustre
of skin.
References:
.cosmeticsdesign.com/news/ng.
asp?id=62583
Erica Angyal, Gorgeous Skin In 30 Days (Lothian Books, 2005)
If you'd like to learn more about
vitamin E, click here. If you're an acne
sufferer, and want some help deciding on either an in salon or at
home acne facial, check out this article.
I have studied computer programming, shiatsu and various
natural therapies including
herbs, macrobiotics, oriental
healing and swedish massage.
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