Everything You Need to Know About Skin Cancer Prevention
An expert weighs in on how to guard yourself against the deadly disease, from preventive tips to tell-tale symptoms to know.
When it comes to vitamins, there are two classifications that determine how molecules can move within and get stored in the skin: water-soluble or fat-soluble. “Vitamin E is a group of fat-soluble antioxidants,” Scott explains. Among other things, this means it has the potential to be stored within the skin cells longer before needing replenishment than a water-soluble vitamin. “[Vitamin E is] essential to cell function and skin health,” Garrette adds. “It has anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce UV-induced skin damage from free radicals.” Further, Scott notes that vitamin E can vary. “There are actually at least eight different forms of vitamin E in nature,” she says. “The one we use on our body is called alpha-tocopherol.”
“In the skin, free radicals can contribute to premature aging and collagen breakdown, hyperpigmentation and more. When used topically vitamin E can help protect the skin from this free radical-induced damage, so it may be able to help keep skin more supple and protect from hyperpigmentation,” says Scott. Additionally, as Garrette calls out, vitamin E can calm inflammation in the skin as well as slow down visible signs of aging caused by the sun. “Vitamin E is also great at nourishing and moisturizing the skin topically,” he says. “It's even more beneficial for those who suffer with chronically dry skin or eczema as it has long-lasting moisturizing and soothing benefits.”
There’s a lot to consider when selecting the right vitamin E formulation for your own needs, but Garrette says something to consider first is whether to use pure vitamin E vs. seeking it out within a larger formulation. “Vitamin E can be used in its pure oil form, but it's usually included in most moisturizers, serums, and other skincare products,” he notes. “It can be used anytime of the day, all over the body, in your morning and night time skincare routines.” Scott says it’s also great to use under sunscreen daily, “...to get more protection from the day-to-day environmental stressors.”
This isn’t to say vitamin E is suitable for everyone, though. Scott points out that it can further aggravate certain skin conditions and recommends treading lightly if you have acne-prone skin. “Vitamin E can potentially worsen acne,” she warns. When in doubt, consult your dermatologist to determine the best course of action.
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