What is vitamin E in skincare?
Vitamin E is a family of eight fat-soluble antioxidants – four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. In cosmetics it usually appears as alpha-tocopherol or its more stable ester, tocopheryl acetate.
Because it is fat-soluble, vitamin E concentrates in the skin’s lipid layers and in sebum, where it intercepts free radicals before they can damage cell membranes. It is one of the most established antioxidants in dermatology.
What skin concerns does vitamin E treat?
It protects against oxidative damage from UV and pollution, supports the moisture barrier, and softens dry or roughened skin as an emollient. It also stabilises other ingredients in a formula, extending their shelf life.
Evidence for fading scars is much weaker than folklore suggests, and pure vitamin E oil applied neat causes contact dermatitis in a minority of people. It performs best as part of a formulation rather than straight from a capsule.
What ingredients are best paired with vitamin E?
Vitamin C is the classic partner: together with ferulic acid they measurably increase photoprotection beyond what either achieves alone, which is why that trio anchors so many antioxidant serums.
It also works alongside squalane, ceramides and niacinamide for barrier repair. Oily and acne-prone skin should use it in a light formulation rather than as a heavy oil. Take our Skin Quiz.
What is crepey skin?
Crepey skin is skin that has become thin, loose and finely wrinkled, with the papery texture of crepe paper. It differs from ordinary wrinkles in that it affects a broad area rather than forming distinct lines, and it appears most on the under-eyes, neck, décolletage, upper arms and inner thighs.
The hallmark is loss of elasticity: pinched skin takes longer to snap back, and the surface looks crinkled even at rest.
What causes crepey skin?
The main driver is degradation of the elastin network in the dermis. Cumulative ultraviolet exposure breaks down elastic fibres and replaces them with disorganised material – the process called solar elastosis – while collagen production falls at the same time.
Age, chronic dehydration, significant weight loss, smoking, and the natural drop in oestrogen around menopause all accelerate it. Body areas get less skincare attention than the face, which is why crepiness often shows there first.
What ingredients are best for crepey skin?
Retinoids remain the best-evidenced option for rebuilding collagen and thickening the dermis over months of use. Peptides support elastin and collagen signalling, and vitamin C protects existing fibres while aiding synthesis.
Layer those over rich hydration – hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, squalane and shea butter – which visibly improves the crinkled look even before structural change happens. Daily SPF on neck, chest and hands prevents further breakdown. Take our Skin Quiz.
