INFLUENCE OF VITAMIN-E ACETATE ON STRATUM-CORNEUM HYDRATION

The influence of vitamin E (tocopherol, CAS 10191-41-0) on stratum cor neum hydration was tested in O/W and W/O emulsions. Additionally, the O/W emulsion was used in an in vivo/in vitro method to gravimetrically obtain evidence concerning the water-binding capacity of the stratum corneum. In the W/O emulsion, 2.5 %, 5 %, and 7.5 % vitamin E were com pared. With both types of emulsions, vitamin E increased the stratum c orneum hydration statistically significantly (p = 0.0002). In addition , we could provide evidence of an enhanced water-binding capacity afte r treatment with vitamin E (p = 0.05). For the hydrating effect of vit amin E, its concentration is of importance. The optimum concentration turned out to be 5 %.