How it works: Vitamin E is the body's major lipid (or fatty) state antioxidant. It's main role is to prevent against lipid peroxidation, a process in which ultraviolet radiation and pollution causes damage to the skin's cell membranes

leading to signs of photoaging and the formation of skin cancers. Vitamin E also has moisturizing effects that can help to soften the skin.

Effectiveness: Vitamin E comes in many types and the most popular formulation in skin care products is alpha-tocopherol (usually 1%). Vitamin E has been shown to protect the skin from sun damage and redness 2-fold as well as decreasing the formation of sunburn cells and providing protection from ultraviolet induced DNA damage. Vitamin E works well with other antioxidants, in particular vitamin C, which together these to products where shown to provide double the protecion of either product alone. Of note, vitamin E DOES NOT help improve healing or the appearance of scars. In fact, a study has shown that vitamin E had no effect or actually worsened the appearance of scars in over 90% of patients.

Where to find it: Vitamin E can be found in many products including daily facial moistruizers and sun screens.

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