Whether through one’s diet or one’s skincare routine, vitamin E is a tried and tested anti-aging powerhouse.

When applied directly to the skin, vitamin E offers protection from ultraviolet radiation or UV rays, one of the main contributors of rapid skin aging. Countless research studies have produced results proving that the topical application of vitamin E prevents and repairs damage from UV rays.

In the same vein, having a vitamin E-rich diet provides skin cell membranes the same protection from damage brought about by free radicals. Free radicals accelerate aging by damaging cells, tissues and organs and therefore play a huge role in the development of over 200 diseases, such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

According to James Jessup, University of Florida’s associate professor in the College of Nursing and affiliate on the Institute of Aging, who spearheaded research focusing on the correlation between vitamin E and anti-aging, human bodies constantly produce free radicals.

"When we are young, however, our body also creates antioxidants to battle these free radicals. Yet in our late 30s and early 40s, we begin to produce more free radicals and fewer antioxidants," he said.

If estimates by nutritionists prove to be nearly accurate, it is quite disconcerting to know that over 95% of Americans follow diets that do not meet the recommended dietary level of vitamin E 30 mg per day at present. This is most likely due to vitamin E being more difficult to acquire from food sources alone, unlike other vitamins and minerals.

As a fat-soluble nutrient, vitamin E may be stored in the body for some time. However, the recommended level of 30 mg per day must be maintained on a regular basis for its anti-aging properties to perform at their best.

A book authored by Vincent Giampapa, M.D, Ronald Pero, Ph.D. and Marcia Zimmerman, C.N., titled The Anti-Aging Solution: 5 Simple Steps to Looking and Feeling Young details many of the benefits of vitamin E, including its direct effect on anti-aging. They have identified that vitamin E decreases the risk of heart disease, lowers LDL cholesterol oxidation and reduces the risk of stroke by protecting LDL cholesterol. In diabetic patients especially, vitamin E improves insulin action and raises levels of glutathione, another antioxidant and detoxifying agent.

As stated in the book, Vitamin E has also been shown to diminish cognitive decline, slow down cataract development, protect against intense exercise and smoking-induced oxidative damage and lessen inflammation by enhancing immune response.

An online article by Andreas M. Papas, MD and Maggie Spilner, Get Younger, Healthier Skin with Vitamin E, puts emphasis on getting the correct form of vitamin E to achieve that youthful look even as you get older. "In order to get the maximum protection from vitamin E, make sure you are getting the complete form of vitamin E which contains the entire family of tocopherols and tocotrienols in their natural unesterified form."

In this day and age, health supplements with concentrated yet carefully prepared doses of vitamin E have become a must. Due to high demand, the range of anti-aging products containing vitamin E in the market continues to expand. With so many options available, customers need to be more discerning when selecting products for their health and wellness regimen.