Jojoba asked in a comment on a previous post how the Vitamin C Skin Boost compared to Vitamin E oil for the skin since I use both items regularly. My short answer is that I use both the Vitamin C and pure Vitamin E together and I find both products beneficial for my skin so I’m not really in a position to compare the two save to say that they are both very good products. However, her question got me thinking about each of the vitamins C and E and their uses.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a known antioxidant. It helps rid the body and skin of free radicals and helps boost the immune system. Vitamin E for the skin is also well known in its uses for helping to reduce scarring and to lighten existing scar tissue. You will regularly find Vitamin E added into moisturisers and topical applications as it helps reduce wrinkles and also helps strengthen the skin cells, thereby reducing wrinkles and thereby resulting in younger looking skin. Look in the ingredient list for Tocopherol related ingredients and that is likely to be vitamin E.
From a beauty point of view, Vitamin E is essential to combat the signs of aging, reduce scarring and prevent the drying out of the skin and hair. For this, Vitamin E can be both ingested in the form of Vitamin E oil capsules readily available in the market and also through topical application on the skin.
I have personally found that topical application of pure Vitamin E oil does help reduce scars and reduce deep wrinkle lines and if I remember, and take my Vitamin E supplements regularly, I find that my skin feels more supple too.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is yet another well known anti-oxidant. The most well known use of Vitamin C that I used to know of, is to treat colds as it boosts the immune system in order to help it fight the cold virus or bacteria. Vitamin C as most of us remember from our Chemistry/Biology school days naturally occurs in citrus fruits which explains why many products that contain Vitamin C have a citrus smell (usually orange) and is slightly acidic (ascorbic acid).
It was only recently that I checked out the uses of Vitamin C for the skin. I found out that Vitamin C is used for the synthesis of collagen which is the thing that keeps our skin plump and that it is an antioxidant that can help reduce skin damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin C too helps reduce wrinkles and improve skin texture (possibly because of the collagen boosting effects). (You can read more about Vitamin C and its derivatives here and here)
The most interesting thing I’ve found out to date about Vitamin C is that it can help protect the skin against UV rays when used together with Vitamin E (source and source). This must be why an article I read suggested that Vitamin C serums be used UNDER sunscreen to boost the efficacy of the sunscreen.
With this nugget of information, imagine how gratified I was when I realised that the Eucerin White Solution Treatment Fluid SPF40 uses Vitamin E in the moisturiser and I additionally use the Vitamin C Skin Boost under the sunscreen everyday! Double protection? I’d sure like to think so! My skin certainly isn’t looking worse 🙂
Note: I am not an expert. The information in this article is a distillation of other articles I have read over the years online and in print.
Nikki says
August 1, 2008 at 9:30 amVitamin c – check
vitamin e – check
on my next to buy list!
ParisB says
August 1, 2008 at 10:05 amNikki : Look in your present skincare. It might already be in there!
Nikki says
August 1, 2008 at 10:13 amI will, I’m excited to take a look at it when I go home..but I believe I don’t have much Vitamin E’s on my skincare..have to check thanks
Connie says
August 1, 2008 at 4:52 pmGreat tip! 😀 I think I have Vitamin C and Vitamin E in some of my skin care. I’ve been trying so many random products that it’s getting hard for me to keep track -_-
rinnah says
August 1, 2008 at 6:28 pmNicely written up and informative post, PB! *thumbs up*
nkp says
August 1, 2008 at 9:33 pmi just bought the vitamin c skin boost today and i get home to see a lovely post on it 🙂 huuraaahh!
Natallie says
August 1, 2008 at 10:11 pmYou remind me of the most natural supplements my face in dire need of! 🙂 Thanks..
jojoba says
August 2, 2008 at 12:08 ami don’t use vitamin C (internal or external) but i swear by vitamin E oil. it is the best thing ever for my skin. i have gone through countless bottles and colonial dame should grand me an award for that. ha!
thanks for responding to my inquiry. i think i should give vitamin C a try. i just think it’s water soluable so i always drink juice (the first thing in the morning) and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables instead. maybe i shall try it on my skin. 🙂
monstro says
August 3, 2008 at 7:52 pmSo clever! I totally bought the Eucerine and Body Shop Skin Boost.
chin and they’re finally lightening! As for the Skin Boost, even after a few days of using it, I noticed my face looking brighter and skin tone much improved. Pores appeared smaller. This is really good stuff, thanks PB!
Tine says
August 4, 2008 at 12:29 pmToo bad I left my Colonial Dames Vit E gel back home. I could really use it right now. I’ve been having bad skin problems on my chin. Reckon the Vit E will at least improve the condition of the skin, if not remove the bad bits altogether.
ParisB says
August 4, 2008 at 3:40 pmmonstro : Hurrah! I’m so happy they work for you. I’m so happy with these 2 in my skincare routine I don’t think I’m ever changing!
KS says
August 6, 2008 at 12:16 amHi, can i ask where did u get the Vitamin E oil from? How do u use it? Thanks!
nkp says
August 6, 2008 at 3:58 pmhey PB, i was just wonderin how do u use the vit C skin boost serum? morning or night? on clean face before sunblock n moistuiser or over sunblock n moisturiser? im a little confused! plss helpp.. thanks! 🙂
ParisB says
August 6, 2008 at 4:02 pm<b>nkp : </b>
Hi there, I have written about it in my review on Skin Boost. Essentially because its a serum I use it direct on a clean face before anything else.
ParisB says
August 6, 2008 at 9:53 pmKS : Hi there you can read about how I use pure Vitamin E Oil here. This can be purchased from most Guardian pharmacies if you are in Malaysia.
¤nOtcUte¤ says
January 3, 2009 at 2:53 amErm, i have been using this cream called the reborn cream. Been using it the past 2 yrs. Seems that my friends who had been using it has become fairer, thinner, skin looks better, face lifted, spots got lighter and more elasticity to the skin. Well I received a few complements myself :p where I used to look very pale bcoz of having low blood pressure. Therefore after using this reborn cream I had rosey cheeks! I have been sharing this product with few of my friends but must warn you it’s a bit pricey but I used it for my health purposes. Few of my friends only use it for the face whereas you are supposedly to apply on 6 points of the lymphnodes indicated.
Bcoz of this I have cut down on my masks and treatments as I’ve tried many and it doesn’t reli work. I only use a facial cleanser toner and that’s it. I’ve certainly gave up on sunscreen coz it’s so oily. I hardly use body lotion coz too lazy 😛 Anyhow the cream seems to have the capability of increasing the SPF in the skin naturally.
I would like to share a knowledge of mine which is there is something you can do to naturally increase the SPF in your skin. Something you can eat but not many women out there would eat this bcoz it’s a bit ‘cooling’ but it’s juicy and sweet!!! Yes WATERMELON :p It really works!
yanmonster says
May 20, 2009 at 2:57 pmDo you know if this is sold in any Singapore pharmacy? Where is this sold in Malaysia? I might cross the causeway if I can’t find it here 🙂
ParisB says
May 20, 2009 at 3:00 pmHi Yanmonster
Not sure which item you mean. Vitamin C Skin Boost should be sold at any Body Shop store. As for the Vitamin E oil and Eucerin White Solution I get them at Guardian Pharmacies in KL. I’m not sure where they are available in Singapore but I guess Guardian would be a good place to start.
nana says
October 10, 2010 at 4:17 pmi would like to know more about vitamin e injection for the skincare. what is the effect and the benefits of getting the injection?
GOHAR ALI says
April 16, 2014 at 8:27 amI am using C and E for almost nine moths due to cause of fatty liver and my skin almost looks younger and clear from spots. These are great stuffs.