Vitamin E is the main fat-soluble antioxidant present in our skin. It is a great defender against free-radicals, which are known to break down the collagen which gives skin its firmness. This nutrient can be found in many food items such as vegetables, oils, seeds, nuts, corn, soy, wheat, margarine and certain kinds of meats and dairy products.

The natural form of vitamin E is represented by a “d” in the beginning of its name and “dl” is used for the synthetic form. Studies have found that the natural form is more effective and is absorbed more easily. The term tocopherol is used to refer to a group of components, which are further divided into alpha, beta, gamma and delta subtypes. Alpha-tocopherol is the most powerful and active one, while delta-tocopherol appears to be the least effective and does not possess any antioxidant properties. In cosmetic products, a blend of tocopherols containing all subtypes is usually used.