If you ask the average woman what the properties of vitamin E are, she will probably reply that it is good for the skin. This is because we most commonly see this vitamin in moisturisers and face creams. Actually, research shows that the benefits of vitamin E when applied to the skin are limited, but actually there are many advantages in taking it internally, in supplements - particularly in liquid form.

Vitamin E is one of the antioxidant vitamins. These vitamins have the ability to neutralise harmful free radicals in the body that can cause serious disease such as cancer. In particular, the antioxidant E can also prevent blood clots that lead to blocked arteries and heart disease, although the American Heart Association suggests that more research is needed before they will recommend E vitamin supplementation to prevent heart disease.

Used externally in a liquid or oil, vitamin E may have some benefits for healing wounds, scars and stretch marks but this is not scientifically proven. It is actually this vitamin's antioxidant properties, when used internally, that help to maintain healthy skin and improve the appearance of acne and scars.

Some other possible advantages of E supplements for women are yet to be substantiated. These include a reduction in the risk of a deadly stroke for post menopausal women, a decrease in premenstrual syndrome for younger women, and a lowered incidence of breast disease in all women.

In America, the recommended daily allowance of vitamin E is 8 to 10 milligrams, but evidence suggests that we need at least 100 milligrams each day to get any tangible benefit. It can be found naturally in fats and oils, leafy vegetables, all types of nut, egg yolks, liver, and whole grains, but many of us should supplement our intake as we do not get enough in our diet.

Those that particularly require vitamin E supplements include people on low fat diets or those who have a medical inability to absorb fats. Being a fat-soluble vitamin, fat needs to be metabolized to absorb it. If it is indeed found that vitamin E really does offer the benefits that are suspected, most women should consider using a regular supplement as well.

Liquid vitamin E supplements are easier to swallow that tablet forms, and are absorbed more quickly and effectively into the blood stream. The liquid form works out to be less expensive than tablets, and you need to take them less frequently to get the same dose. They usually taste better too, and don't leave an unpleasant aftertaste as some vitamin pills do. You should check that the vitamin E in your liquid supplement is natural and not synthetic to achieve maximum benefit.

Although vitamin E deficiency in itself does not cause illnesses, supplementing your intake can have a wide range of benefits from preventing heart and breast disease, to maintaining healthy skin. If you take a combined liquid vitamin supplement, check that it has an adequate dosage of natural E vitamins to allow you to profit from these benefits.