Types of Vitamin E

Vitamin E exists in eight different formats and can be broken down into two major chemical groups; these groups are tocopherols and tocotrienols. Tocopherols and tocotrienols can be again sub-divided into alpha, beta, gamma, and delta forms. Tocopherol is the type of organic compound that is found in many skin care products; alpha- tocopherol is the strongest format of vitamin E available.¹

Alternate Names for Vitamin E

You may find Vitamin E described as any of the following names on a product label, although the INCI name should be ideally used (in the United States):

• tocopherol

• tocopherol acetate

• tocopherol phosphate

• tocopherol linoleate

• tocopherol succinate.²

Benefits of Vitamin E for Aromatherapy Topical Use

Vitamin E has several benefits when applied externally but the primary reason that vitamin E is added to aromatherapy skin care products (and used in massage oils) is its value as an anti-oxidant. Anti-oxidants prevent the formation of free radicals in the body, a group of atoms that can cause cell damage and contribute to the aging process. Vitamin E also helps to repair tissues, reduce scarring, strengthens capillary walls, and promotes healthy skin.¹

Vegetable Oils That Contain Vitamin E

Vitamin E is found in many cold-pressed vegetable oils which are used in aromatherapy skin care products and massage practice. Vegetable oils that are rich in vitamin E content include:

• carrot (Daucus carota)

• corn (Zea mays)

• linseed/flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum)

• peanut (Arachis hypogaea)

• soy (Glycine soja)

• wheatgerm(Triticum vulgare).³

Learn More About Carrier Oils with Sedona Aromatherapie

If you would like to learn more about carrier oils and aromatherapy, consider the Sedona Aromatherapie home study Certification in Professional Aromatherapy or the Foundation Course in Aromatherapy.

References:

1. Balch, James F, Phyllis A. Balch,1997, Prescription for Nutritional Healing, US: Avery

2. The Essence of Mineral Make-Up website, Tocopherol Acetate: Skin Vitamin E, accessed 02/08/16

3. Price, Len, 1999, Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy and Massage, UK: Riverhead

• Author is a UK-certified aromatherapist, published author and editor in aromatherapy, an approved education provider for the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), an aromatherapy business owner, and Chief Editor for the NAHA Aromatherapy Journal.