Vitamin E and allergic contact dermatitis.

Reports of vitamin E-induced allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and frequent use of vitamin-E derivatives (tocopherol, tocopheryl linoleate, tocopherol acetate, etc) in skin care products deserves further investigation into tolerability and suitability of vitamin E in skin care preparations. A PubMed search was conducted to review the prevalence of vitamin E-induced ACD. It revealed 931 cases of vitamin E-induced ACD mainly from one large study. There were no reported deaths and only three patients required hospitalization for treatment. It appears that vitamin E-induced ACD is an uncommon phenomenon; incidence is low despite its widespread use in skin care products. Given its antioxidant and photoprotective properties, vitamin E should remain an ingredient in skin care products.