Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a family of fat-soluble antioxidants that includes tocopherols and tocotrienols. In skincare, alpha-tocopherol and tocopheryl acetate are common forms used for antioxidant support, skin conditioning and protection of formula lipids from oxidation.

Topical vitamin E is widely used but clinical evidence for many popular claims, such as improving scars on its own, is weaker than its reputation suggests. Its most defensible role in cosmetics is as a lipid-phase antioxidant and conditioning ingredient, often paired with vitamin C and ferulic acid.