Vitamin E (alpha-tocopheryl acetate) has been used in dermatology primarily for its antioxidant properties, which theoretically can help protect skin cells from oxidative stress and inflammation associated with dermatitis and other inflammatory skin disorders. Some small clinical studies and case reports have suggested that topical vitamin E may have beneficial effects in reducing symptoms such as erythema, pruritus, and edema in atopic dermatitis and other eczematous conditions. For example, a few randomized, placebo-controlled trials have shown modest improvement in atopic dermatitis severity when vitamin E is used as an adjunct to standard therapy, likely due to its role in scavenging free radicals and stabilizing cell membranes.

However, the quality and scale of these studies are generally limited, and meta-analyses have concluded that while there may be some benefit, the evidence base is weak and inconsistent. Additionally, oral vitamin E supplementation has not consistently demonstrated benefit in well-designed trials. Topical application is more commonly studied, but results vary and sometimes show no significant difference compared to placebo. Major dermatological guidelines do not routinely recommend vitamin E as a first-line or standalone therapy for dermatitis. Thus, while the use of vitamin E for dermatitis is supported by some mechanistic rationale and limited clinical evidence, the strength of that evidence is modest at best.