Know Your Ingredients: Vitamin E (Tocopherol)

Vitamin E is not a single vitamin, but actually a group of fat-soluble vitamins with antioxidant effects. First discovered in 1922 Vitamin E has antioxidant properties, fights inflammation, slows the effects of freed radicals and also has moisturizing properties. It is found in most moisturizers and Vitamin E oil is used to treat dry skin and may promote wound healing. 

Because of its moisturizing properties Vitamin E may provide temporary relief from itchy, dry skin. It also may help alleviate the itching, flaking and dryness associated with eczema, or atopic dermatitis. There have been studies that have linked it to a reduction of symptoms from psoriasis and without serious side effects. 

Originally, Vitamin E was extracted from wheat germ oil. (Wheat germ along with bran is the by-product of refined grain, as opposed to whole grains). These days Vitamin E is usually extracted from vegetable oils, the most popular being soybean oil. 

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