vitamins C and E work synergistical

vitamins C and E work synergistically; when vitamin E becomes oxidized by free radicals, it is regenerated
in the membrane by vitamin C.3-5 Previously, we have reported that L-ascorbic acid applied topically to the skin reduces the photoinjury produced by both UVB and UVA irradiation.

6 Thecritical role of
-tocopherol for the antioxidant protection of the stratum corneum lipid bilayer and protection against stratum corneum protein oxidation has been recently reviewed.

7 In this study, we report on a combination of antioxidants, L-ascorbic acid and
-tocopherol, optimized with regard to concentration and pH for maximum photoprotective effects.

We demonstrate that this combination of vitamins
C and E is superior to either antioxidant alone.

The combination provides for a 4-fold protection
when compared with vehicle against erythema produced
by solar-simulated irradiation and inhibits the
generation or accumulation of thymine dimers in skin.