There is a new study on the use of tocotrienols on the skin. They protect against inflammation and a reduced barrier effect on the skin against dust.
It was investigated how the skin can be protected from exposure to dust (in cities). Three substances were compared:
- tocotrienols (TRF)
- alpha-tocopherol (aTP, common vitamin E)
- Retinoic acid (RA, vitamin A)
Short summary:
The pollution of the air with dust, especially in cities, is also a problem for the skin. The dust particles actually penetrate into the skin and cause a series of inflammatory reactions with loss of the skin barrier.
The tocotrienols showed a superior protective effect compared to aTP and RA. Tocotrienol can be viewed as a natural active ingredient that can protect against skin aging caused by fibre dust in cosmetics.
Abstract the study (translated):
Urban dust (PM) is an important air pollutant that triggers molecular processes and damages the skin. We investigated the protective effect of a tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) against the skin aging, inflammation and dysfunction of the skin barrier caused by fibre dust in human epithelial keratinocytes. Alpha-tocopherol (αTP) and retinoic acid (RA) were used as comparison substances.
Our results showed that TRF significantly restored cell viability and reduced the increased intracellular reactive oxygen radicals in stressed keratinocytes. Furthermore, TRF could significantly downregulate the activation of withogen-activated protein kinases in PM-stinated keratinocytes. .. TRF significantly protected the barrier function of the skin in exposure to PM by upregulating filaggrin, transglutaminase-1 and involucrin. In contrast, αTP and RA ka showed protective effects against skin damage in the PM-treated keratinocytes. Overall, this study suggests that TRF has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and skin barrier protective properties and could be used as a potential ingredient in the personal care and cosmetics industry to combat skin damage caused by air pollution.