Some of us have more of it than others – but as we age, we can all find ourselves running low on it. We’re talking about vitamin E which is found, naturally, in sebum, an oily substance produced by microscopic glands beneath the surface of our skin. Sebum moisturises our skin, preventing it from drying out, and protecting it from bacteria. While we may have found oily skin a bother when we were teenagers, contributing as it can to blocked pores and blemishes, as seniors we are often troubled by the opposite situation. Because the production of vitamin E-rich sebum decreases with the years, we have less moisture in our skin, something which causes it to dry out all too quickly. As well as age contributing to a reduction in vitamin E levels, sunlight (as well as tanning beds) also helps to deplete our skin of this important antioxidant.
The obvious solution to supplying our body with the vitamin E it may lack, is to apply it directly to the skin. This can be via a rub of pure vitamin E oil or through applying a product, such as a moisturiser, that contains vitamin E. When looking for vitamin E moisturisers, be aware its often listed on ingredients as ‘tocopherol’ or ‘tocotrienol.’ While you’re checking the label, choose a moisturiser that also contains vitamin C (or ascorbic acid) – when it comes to skin repair, vitamin E and vitamin C work best in tandem. The ongoing use of moisturiser can be a considerable expense given how quickly the skin absorbs it, so if you are having difficulty affording this product, talk to your GP who may be able to offer it in prescription form.
Whatever moisturiser you are using, applying it at the right time, and in the right conditions, will help make the most of it. Generally speaking, the best time to apply moisturiser is when the skin is still damp from, say, a shower or a swim. In this situation, the moisturiser helps to lock in the dampness on your skin. Outside of these times, applying moisturiser at night, before going to bed, helps the product do its work. This is because our skin naturally goes into repair mode while we sleep. After washing your face or showering in the morning, a fresh application is required, and for those who use makeup, moisturiser should be its under layer.
As well as applying vitamin E to the surface of our bodies, we can also work to ensure our diet includes foods rich in the vitamin. Almonds, hazel nuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, as well as wheat germ, are all vitamin E-rich and lend themselves to being incorporated into muesli or porridge mixes (they can often be found ground as meals, sometimes in combination, if you have difficulty chewing them). It comes as no surprise that oily avocado is a supplier of vitamin E, but this skin-supporting vitamin is also to be obtained through healthy quantities of vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, silver beet, and spinach. For those who enjoy seafoods, vitamin E is found in good supply in trout, salmon, and pāua. If you’re a reader of labels, check for foods which are sometimes fortified with vitamin E. These may include margarines, juices, and some breakfast cereals. If you are considering taking vitamin E supplements, always talk to your GP first. This is because excess vitamin E is stored in the body’s fat supplies, and can build up to dangerous levels.
Far from being an ‘extra’ in our care routine, the regular application of vitamin E, via skin care products, and the inclusion in our diet of vitamin E-rich foods, is essential as we age. When we take care of our skin, our skin takes care of us!