Vitamin E for Sun Damage (Photoaging)

A workhorse antioxidant that defends your skin from daily oxidative damage. Pairs especially well with vitamin C, and it's in nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.

Why it works for Sun Damage (Photoaging)

An oil-loving antioxidant that protects the skin's surface fats from UV damage. It works well with vitamin C (which recharges used-up vitamin E) and ferulic acid in a morning serum. On its own the evidence for sun damage is thin; it is used to boost vitamin C, not to replace a retinoid.

How Vitamin E works

Lipid-soluble antioxidant that donates a hydrogen atom to neutralize free radicals before they propagate damage through cell membranes.

Evidence

4 citations from our ingredient database. Full citation list on the Vitamin E ingredient page.

journal2022

Neves JR et al., Efficacy of a topical serum containing L-ascorbic acid, neohesperidin, pycnogenol, tocopherol, and hyaluronic acid in relation to skin aging signs, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2022;21(10):4462-4469 — tocopherol-containing antioxidant serum reduced pollution-induced damage and improved aging signs

regulatory safety2021

Warshaw EM et al., Patch Testing With Tocopherol and Tocopherol Acetate: The North American Contact Dermatitis Group Experience, 2001 to 2016, Dermatitis 2021;32(5):308-318 — 15-year NACDG data: positive patch-test reactions to tocopherol rare given widespread cosmetic use

journal2005

Lin FH et al., Ferulic acid stabilizes a solution of vitamins C and E and doubles its photoprotection of skin, Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2005;125(4):826-832 — ferulic acid + vit C + vit E combo doubled photoprotection vs C+E alone (cross-listed; same paper cited for Ferulic Acid and Vit C)

journal2004

Panin G, Strumia R, Ursini F, Topical alpha-tocopherol acetate in the bulk phase: eight years of experience in skin treatment, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 2004;1031:443-7 — clinical experience supporting topical alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) acetate as an antioxidant skin-conditioning agent

Products with Vitamin E in our catalog

These are the catalog products that list Vitamin E as a tracked ingredient.

Drunk Elephant

C-Firma Fresh Day Serum

$80 · Serum

SkinCeuticals

C E Ferulic

$182 · Serum

Eucerin

Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream

$14 · Moisturizer

Versed

Skin Soak Rich Moisture Cream

$20 · Moisturizer

Bondi Sands

SPF 50+ Fragrance-Free Daily Sunscreen Face Lotion

$19 · SPF

COSRX

Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++

$19 · SPF

Full Vitamin E guide →Sun Damage (Photoaging) overview →