Acne is a skin disease most commonly found in adolescents. It usually consists of blackheads and whiteheads called comedones, red scaly skin called seborrhoea, pinheads called papules, pimples or pustules, large papules called nodules and quite often is accompanied by scarring from previous outbreaks. In adolescence, a teen’s self image is at its most fragile state, and so severe bouts of acne can wreak havoc with their confidence.

Vitamin E has been long touted as a cure for acne and the cosmetic industry uses it extensively in their skin care products, however recent studies are asking the question “does vitamin E help acne”. Many specialists including dermatologists and aestheticians are doubtful of its effectiveness in its topical form. Some claim it can even exacerbate the acne because it is itself an oil, and oil, or sebum, is one of the culprits in the formation of acne.

However, studies do indicate that persons with a deficiency of Vitamin E and Vitamin A in their blood are more likely to suffer from acne and the lower the level of Vitamin A the worse the acne was. The study indicated that the action of Vitamin E alone would not resolve the issue and seems to suggest that it may be the combination of the 2 together that could help alleviate the acne problem. Vitamin A which is important to maintain healthy skin is regulated by Vitamin E.

Another question which is often asked is “Does vitamin e help acne scars?”  Because scars are the after effect of acne which is damaged skin, the action of vitamin e oils may be helpful in this respect. Some studies do show that using vitamin e oils topically can visibly reduce the appearance of acne scars considerably. Vitamin e is an antioxidant and important in the protection of cell membranes from further damage.

So using vitamin E in its topical form can have some benefits for acne scars, but vitamin E is more likely to have greater effect if taken orally for the acne itself. Treating acne from within is actually treating the cause and not the after effects. If your diet is lacking in certain foods rich in vitamin E, it is always a good idea to take a vitamin supplement which ensures you are getting the correct dosage. Because Vitamin E is fat soluble, it is possible to overdose if too much is ingested so one should pay attention to recommended dosages.

Eating foods rich in vitamin E is a recommended method of obtaining what you need, but is not always possible. These would include foods such as leafy green vegetables, asparagus, nuts, seeds and wheat germ, and you are getting not only vitamin E in its purest form, but reaping the benefits of all the other vitamins and minerals these foods provide for a healthy diet and healthy lifestyle.