The skin is subjected to various types of chemical and physical environmental stresses (including UV radiation) which can lead to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between the production of oxidizing reactions of the skin (with production of free radicals) and defence mechanisms of the organism. It is the cause of the occurrence of cancerous tumours and chronic degenerative diseases, as well as skin aging. Evidence of skin aging is seen with the formation of wrinkles, loss of elasticity, decreased collagen and degradation of elastic with structural differences in physiological aging and photo-induced aging. Oxidative stress condition is established easily in cases of radiation or internal causes (such as heart disease). Tissue response to oxidative stress can be short term (skin rash, inflammation) and/or long term (thickening of the skin, appearance of wrinkles, the appearance of precancerous and cancerous lesions, degeneration of elastic tissue and collagen fibres).

Vitamin E is a molecule with an antioxidant action that contains anti-inflammatory proprieties which absorb UV radiation. Studies have shown that vitamin E can be deeply penetrate the skin and that increased antioxidant benefit it is obtained from topical application of vitamin E rather than taking vitamin E orally.

Continuous topical application of vitamin E reduces Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL), reduces subtle wrinkles and improves skin hydration as confirmed by studies of the long-term application of vitamin E (5% concentration measured with a corneometer). Further studies have verified the effect of increased skin hydration after the application of vitamin E with the greatest results coming after application of pure vitamin E.

Published studies give scientific support to the role of vitamin E, universally recognized as an effective antioxidant that can counteract the physiological aging of the skin.