From Anirva, the maker of Dermal Radiance. This article is general information, not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Vitamin E is a familiar name in skin care. You will see it in creams, oils and many supplements. It is also a nutrient the body needs every day. Here we look at what vitamin E does in skin and what the human studies show, how much is in Dermal Radiance, food sources and safety.
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- Vitamin E is the most abundant fat-soluble antioxidant in human skin [2]. Regulators in Europe accept that it helps protect cells from oxidative stress [3].
- The body sends vitamin E to the skin surface through skin oil. After a person starts a supplement, the level in skin oil rises within one to three weeks [2].
- In an 8-week study, vitamin E by mouth raised the vitamin E level in skin about threefold. A marker of fat oxidation in the skin also fell [4].
- Vitamin E has been studied together with vitamin C. In human studies, the two vitamins by mouth were followed by less skin redness after UV light [5][6][8][9].
- Dermal Radiance contains 20.1 mg of vitamin E. That is 134% of the Daily Value [7].
What is vitamin E?
Vitamin E is the name for a group of fat-soluble compounds with antioxidant activity. There are eight natural forms. Alpha-tocopherol is the form that meets human needs [1].
Adults need 15 mg a day. The diets of most Americans provide less than that amount [1].
In supplements, vitamin E is often supplied as alpha-tocopheryl acetate. This form has a longer shelf life, and the body absorbs it as well as plain alpha-tocopherol [1]. It is the form in Dermal Radiance [7].
How might vitamin E work in skin?
An antioxidant in skin fats
Vitamin E is the most abundant fat-soluble antioxidant in human skin. Levels are higher in the outer layer, the epidermis, than in the deeper layer [2].
Delivered through skin oil
Vitamin E builds up in the oil glands of the skin. It then reaches the skin surface in sebum, the natural oil of the skin. After a person starts a supplement, it takes at least seven days for the level in skin oil to change. One study found a delay of 14 to 21 days [2].
Used up by sunlight and age
UV light lowers the vitamin E content of the outer skin layer. Vitamin E levels in the epidermis also decline with age [2].
What does the research show?
The research on vitamin E by mouth and skin is still growing. The human studies below tested vitamin E by itself or with vitamin C.
A 2004 study of vitamin E for 8 weeks
In 2004, eight volunteers took 400 IU of vitamin E a day for 8 weeks. The vitamin E level in their skin rose from 0.55 to 1.6 ng per mg of protein, which is about a threefold rise. A marker of fat oxidation in the skin also fell [4].
A 2002 trial of vitamin E, vitamin C, or both
In 2002, a controlled trial placed 45 healthy volunteers in three groups for one week. They took 1,200 IU of vitamin E a day, 2 g of vitamin C, or both [5].
The researchers measured how much UV light was needed to redden the skin. With vitamin E alone, the median amount rose from 60 to 65 units. With both vitamins, it rose from 50 to 70 units. With vitamin C alone, it did not change [5].
A 2005 study of vitamins C and E for three months
In 2005, volunteers took vitamins C and E for three months. Their reddening response to UV light was lower, and skin samples showed less UV-related DNA damage [6].
Two 1998 trials of vitamins C and E
Two trials from 1998 used the same measure. In one, people took 2 g of vitamin C with 1,000 IU of vitamin E a day for 8 days. The median amount of UV light needed to redden skin rose from 80 to 96.5 units, and it fell in the placebo group [8].
In the other, healthy volunteers took 2 g of vitamin E with 3 g of vitamin C a day for 50 days. The amount of UV light needed to redden skin rose from 103 to 183 units [9].
Vitamin E is not a sunscreen. Experts suggest daily sunscreen and shade for sun care.
Study summary
| Study | People | Amount a day | Length | Main result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McArdle et al., 2004 [4] | 8 volunteers | 400 IU vitamin E | 8 weeks | Skin vitamin E rose about threefold |
| Mireles-Rocha et al., 2002 [5] | 45 volunteers | 1,200 IU vitamin E, 2 g vitamin C, or both | 1 week | More UV needed to redden skin |
| Placzek et al., 2005 [6] | Volunteers | Vitamins C and E | 3 months | Lower reddening response; less UV-related DNA damage |
| Eberlein-König et al., 1998 [8] | Double-blind study | 1,000 IU vitamin E + 2 g vitamin C | 8 days | More UV needed to redden skin |
| Fuchs and Kern, 1998 [9] | Healthy volunteers | 2 g vitamin E + 3 g vitamin C | 50 days | More UV needed to redden skin |
How much vitamin E is in Dermal Radiance compared with the studies?
| Source | Vitamin E a day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dermal Radiance (2 capsules) | 20.1 mg | 134% of the Daily Value, from the label [7] |
| 2004 study | 400 IU | For 8 weeks [4] |
| 2002 trial | 1,200 IU | For 1 week [5] |
Dermal Radiance provides 20.1 mg of vitamin E, which covers the adult daily need of 15 mg. It also contains 150 mg of vitamin C [7].
The studies used larger amounts. By our calculation from the NIH conversion factors, 400 IU is 180 mg to 268 mg of vitamin E, depending on the form [1]. Those studies tested vitamin E by itself or with vitamin C, so their results do not describe Dermal Radiance as a whole.
Food sources of vitamin E
Nuts, seeds and plant oils are the richest sources [1]:
- Wheat germ oil, 1 tablespoon: 20.3 mg
- Sunflower seeds, 1 ounce: 7.4 mg
- Almonds, 1 ounce: 6.8 mg
The body needs fat in the digestive tract to absorb vitamin E [1].
What the research does not show yet
- In the 2004 study and in one 1998 trial, vitamin E by itself did not change how easily skin reddened after UV light [4][9].
- The clearest results came from vitamin E taken with vitamin C [2][5][9].
- We found no study of vitamin E combined with all the other Dermal Radiance ingredients.
Safety and interactions
For vitamin E from supplements, the upper limit for adults is 1,000 mg a day [1]. Dermal Radiance has 20.1 mg [7].
High doses of vitamin E supplements can affect blood clotting and raise the risk of bleeding. People who take blood-thinning medicines such as warfarin need care with large amounts, mainly above 400 IU a day [1].
Cancer specialists often advise against antioxidant supplements during chemotherapy or radiation therapy [1].
- Take it with a meal that has some fat. The body needs fat to absorb vitamin E [1].
- Give it time. Vitamin E from a supplement takes one to three weeks to show up in skin oil [2].
- If you take blood-thinning medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist before you take a supplement with vitamin E [1].
Vitamin E is one part of Dermal Radiance
Dermal Radiance is a daily two-capsule supplement with 20 vitamins, minerals and plant extracts. They were chosen to support healthy collagen, skin firmness and elasticity, and radiance. Vitamin E is one of them.
Dermal Radiance has not been clinically tested as a finished product. For this reason, we cannot say how its ingredients work together. The studies in this article tested vitamin E by itself or with vitamin C.
If you take Dermal Radiance, you are not relying on vitamin E alone. It is one of 20 ingredients in each serving. Every ingredient and amount is listed on the label [7].
A daily skin supplement with 20 ingredients
Vitamin E is one of 20 vitamins, minerals and plant extracts in Dermal Radiance, each listed with its amount on the label. Two capsules a day with a meal.
See the full ingredient listIf you are deciding
Vitamin E is the most abundant fat-soluble antioxidant in skin, and vitamin E by mouth does reach the skin [2][4]. Most diets fall short of the daily need, and a supplement can fill that gap [1]. If you would like to try Dermal Radiance, the directions are two capsules a day with a meal [7].
The short version
Vitamin E is the most abundant fat-soluble antioxidant in human skin. The body delivers it to the skin surface through skin oil, and vitamin E by mouth raises skin levels within weeks. In human studies, vitamin E taken with vitamin C was followed by less skin redness after UV light. Dermal Radiance provides 20.1 mg of vitamin E.
Frequently asked questions
What does vitamin E do for skin?
It is the most abundant fat-soluble antioxidant in human skin [2]. In Europe, labels may say that vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress [3].
Does vitamin E by mouth reach the skin?
Yes. It reaches the skin surface through skin oil [2]. In an 8-week study, 400 IU a day raised the vitamin E level in skin about threefold [4].
How long does vitamin E take to reach the skin?
It takes at least seven days for the level in skin oil to change, and one study found 14 to 21 days [2].
How much vitamin E is in Dermal Radiance?
Each serving has 20.1 mg, which is 134% of the Daily Value [7].
How much vitamin E do adults need?
Adults need 15 mg a day. The diets of most Americans provide less than that [1].
Why are vitamin E and vitamin C often paired?
Several human studies tested them together. In a one-week trial, the two vitamins by mouth raised the amount of UV light needed to redden skin. The rise was larger than with either vitamin alone [5].
What foods are high in vitamin E?
Wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds and almonds are rich sources [1].
Is vitamin E a sunscreen?
No. It does not replace sunscreen, shade or protective clothing.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin E: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Updated March 26, 2021. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-HealthProfessional/ (accessed October 4, 2026).
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University. Micronutrient Information Center: Vitamin E and Skin Health. Updated January 2, 2026. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/vitamin-E (accessed October 4, 2026).
- European Commission. Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/432 (accessed October 4, 2026).
- McArdle F, Rhodes LE, Parslew RAG, Close GL, Jack CIA, Friedmann PS, Jackson MJ. Effects of oral vitamin E and beta-carotene supplementation on ultraviolet radiation-induced oxidative stress in human skin. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004;80(5):1270-1275. doi:10.1093/ajcn/80.5.1270. PMID: 15531675.
- Mireles-Rocha H, Galindo I, Huerta M, Trujillo-Hernández B, Elizalde A, Cortés-Franco R. UVB photoprotection with antioxidants: effects of oral therapy with d-alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid on the minimal erythema dose. Acta Derm Venereol. 2002;82(1):21-24. doi:10.1080/000155502753600830. PMID: 12013192.
- Placzek M, Gaube S, Kerkmann U, Gilbertz KP, Herzinger T, Haen E, Przybilla B. Ultraviolet B-induced DNA damage in human epidermis is modified by the antioxidants ascorbic acid and D-alpha-tocopherol. J Invest Dermatol. 2005;124(2):304-307. doi:10.1111/j.0022-202X.2004.23560.x. PMID: 15675947.
- Anirva. Dermal Radiance Supplement Facts label and product page. https://anirva.com/pages/anti-aging-skin-supplement-dermal-radiance (accessed October 4, 2026).
- Eberlein-König B, Placzek M, Przybilla B. Protective effect against sunburn of combined systemic ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and d-alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E). J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998;38(1):45-48. doi:10.1016/S0190-9622(98)70537-7. PMID: 9448204.
- Fuchs J, Kern H. Modulation of UV-light-induced skin inflammation by D-alpha-tocopherol and L-ascorbic acid: a clinical study using solar simulated radiation. Free Radic Biol Med. 1998;25(9):1006-1012. doi:10.1016/S0891-5849(98)00132-4. PMID: 9870553.
