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Vitamin E is a supplement rich in antioxidants which help to neutralize the free radicals that affect your skin. Vitamin E is used to condition environmentally-exposed skin, help to keep the surface as intact as possible, as well as help with sunspots.
The National Institute of Health has documented the effectiveness of using vitamin E. There are eight types or forms of vitamin E, and the two most common are tocopheryl acetate and tocopherol, both of which are in many skincare products.
There are many ways to use vitamin E to help treat your sunspots, internally and externally. The recommended dose to take is 400 I.U. in the morning, as well as in the evening. You can also puncture the capsule and use the oil directly on the spots. Wheat germ is the most natural form of vitamin E, though the capsules are more common to use. A diet that is rich in vitamin E is beneficial, as well as adding vitamin C to your daily oral dosage. Using a serum that has vitamin E
Before adding vitamin E to your skincare, you should perform a patch skin test. In its pure form, vitamin E can cause a dermatitis-type of reaction. As stated before, it is best to use vitamin E on normal or even dry skin in comparison to sensitive skin, as you may suffer from some discomfort and topical redness. If you are acne-prone, be aware that oil may clog pores, so be sure to use the oil in conjunction with a good cleansing and exfoliating routine. Some studies have also shown that taking a dosage higher than 1200 I.U. may affect your metabolism and your body’s ability to absorb vitamins A and K. In some instances, vitamin E can have adverse affects on the skin when combined with Retinol and vitamin A.
By using vitamin E on your skin, you will get added benefits. Being an antioxidant, it helps to keep your skin smooth and the lipids fresh. It is excellent for helping to maintain balance, as well as helping to restore your skin’s natural barrier.
Melasma is a specific example of hyperpigmentation. Melasma looks like whole patches of brown or darker skin across the parts of the face and neck. Melasma is common among women who are pregnant - it’s even referred to as “the mask of pregnancy.” But melasma can occur in both men and women who are not pregnant, too. Melasma can be caused by UV damage, but there are also genetic, hormonal, and medication-induced causes for melasma, too.
There are a variety of topical ingredients that can be used to lighten the skin from melasma or reduce its appearance. Each ingredient works in different ways, and each has their own benefits and drawbacks. hydroquinone, arbutin, vitamin C (ascorbic acid, and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, etc) are some of the most commonly used ingredients for melasma treatment.
Hydroquinone is a skin lightening cream that works by suppressing the production of melanin. There are drawbacks to using hydroquinone, however, including cancer risks demonstrated by recent scientific studies, as well as hydroquinone-induced ochronosis.
Arbutin is a synthesized derivative of hydroquinone. It acts as a powerful skin lightening ointment that works a bit differently than hydroquinone. It blocks the production of melanin instead of “bleaching” the skin.
Vitamin C can be used as a brightening agent to lighten the hyperpigmentation of your sunspots or melasma. It works by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase, preventing the formation of melatonin.
Ascorbic Acid is actually the formal scientific name for one form of Vitamin C. It can refer to either a naturally occurring Vitamin C found in foods such as citrus, or a synthetic form of ascorbic acid created to be more shelf-stable for skincare products like discoloration repair lotions and creams.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate is another form of Vitamin C. By synthesizing this compound from Vitamin C, dermatologists are able to give us all the benefits of Vitamin C in a more shelf-stable form that can also be soluble in oil to make more effective, deeper penetrating skin products. (Herndon 2016)
Ingredients in the vitamin A family (ie. Retinol, tretinoin, etc) and acids (glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid) help damaged pigmented skin cells shred faster, so they also help with melasma.
vitamin E may be effective for melasma, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
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