Vitamin E and dexpanthenol: key active ingredients in the care of sensitive skin

As the body's outermost barrier to the environment, the skin plays an important role in safeguarding against free radicals. Cell-damaging free radicals can react directly with skin lipids and proteins, impairing the skin's functions. Skincare products containing antioxidants protects the cells against damage from oxidative stress. Vitamin E naturally acts as an antioxidant in the horny layer, reaching the skin's surface mainly via sebum. Because of the environmentally induced increase in oxidative stress the skin needs an increased supply of vitamin E. A shortage of vitamin E may result in cell damage. Studies have shown that topical application of vitamin E can increase the amount of available vitamin in the epidermis.
To protect against environmentally induced oxidative stress, Eucerin® pH5 skincare products contain pure vitamin E or vitamin E acetate. Vitamin E acetate is also absorbed by the skin and converted enzymatically to pure, antioxidant vitamin E.

The vitamin E cycle:

A complex network of antioxidizing systems in the cell neutralizes free radicals and protects the cell from damage.

To promote regeneration of sensitive skin, Eucerin" pH5 skincare products additionally contain highly concentrated dexpanthenol. Topically applied, dexpanthenol is quickly absorbed by the skin and converted to vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid).

Constant renewal of skin cells leads to an especially high turnover of vitamin B5 in the epidermis, because vitamin B5 is involved in the central metabolic processes of energy production. Vitamin B5 enhances the regeneration capacity of the skin from within and helps restore the natural protective function of the skin. In addition, dexpanthenol acts as a good moisturizer.