When vitamin E acetate was applied topically to mouse skin exposed to UV-B rays, it got absorbed and converted into active vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) at significantly higher levels than in non-sun-exposed skin. This suggests the ingredient works better as a UV protectant when your skin actually needs it most, though this was tested in mice, not humans.

Researchers applied vitamin E acetate to hairless mice daily and measured how much was absorbed into their skin and converted to active vitamin E, comparing UV-exposed and non-exposed groups.

Funding not disclosed in abstract