Vitamin E Potency Decoded: What “12 000 IU” Really Means – and How Derma E Compares
When you’re shopping for a vitamin E cream you’ll see numbers like 12 000 IU or even 132 000 IU splashed across jars. But unless you’re a chemist, “IU” can feel like alphabet soup. Below we break down what IU means, why it matters for skin health, and how Derma E Vitamin E 12 000 IU Cream stacks up against popular alternatives in Australia.
1. IU vs mg – a quick refresher
-
IU (International Unit) measures biological activity, not weight.
-
For vitamin E, 1 IU equals 0.67 mg of natural d-α-tocopherol or 0.45 mg of synthetic dl-α-tocopherol. ods.od.nih.gov
-
Therefore, 12 000 IU delivers roughly 5.4–8 g of pure vitamin E depending on the source – an intensive but still everyday-friendly dose.
2. Vitamin E Cream Potency Comparison
| Product | Declared potency | IU per gram‡ | How it feels | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plunkett’s Vita E Natural Cream (100 g) | 100 IU/g | 100 IU/g | Lightweight lotion | Blend of natural & synthetic E plunketts.com.au |
| Invite E Concentrated Cream (100 g) | 10 000 IU | 100 IU/g | Rich emollient | Focus on scar repair invitee.com.au |
| Derma E Vitamin E Cream (113 g) | 12 000 IU | ~106 IU/g | Fast-absorbing, light | Fragrance- & gluten-free, face-to-body dermae.com |
| Palmer’s Natural Vitamin E Concentrated Cream (60 g) | 132 000 IU | 2 200 IU/g | Thick, ointment-like | Spot-treatment strength amcal.com.au |
| The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream | IU not disclosed | — | Weightless gel-cream | Promotes 72 h hydration, no IU on pack thebodyshop.com |
‡Rounded from label claims. Actual antioxidant punch also depends on the form of vitamin E and the overall formula.
3. Why Vitamin E potency matters – but isn’t everything
| IU band | Typical use-case | Texture trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| ≤ 100 IU/g | Daily hydration, young or combination skin | Light, layers under make-up easily |
| ~100 IU/g | Derma E / Plunkett’s / Invite E sweet-spot – strengthens barrier, calms redness | Soft cream; absorbs fast yet feels nurturing |
| > 1 000 IU/g | Palmer’s-style “treatment” creams for scars, rough elbows, cuticles | Very occlusive, often best as a night or spot cream |
4. Where Derma E Vitamin E Stacks Up
-
Potency – At roughly 106 IU per gram, Derma E delivers twice the activity of many supermarket vitamin E lotions without tipping into greasy territory.
-
Feel-good formula – Fragrance-free, gluten-free and enriched with safflower, avocado and sesame oils to enhance spreadability and comfort. dermae.com
-
Packed With More E For Everyday versatility – Light enough for the face, strong enough to soothe body dry-spots, and suitable under make-up, without feeling heavy
5. Take-aways for your skincare routine
-
Scan for the IU – If a label omits it (like The Body Shop), assume potency is modest.
-
Match IU to the job – ~100 IU/g for daily barrier support, >1 000 IU/g for targeted rescue.
-
Mind the texture – Higher IU often means thicker base oils or butters. Skincare that’s not ideal for the face or under makeup.
-
Patch-test first – Even “natural” actives can irritate sensitive skin.
Why Derma E is the smart choice
Unlike most everyday creams, Derma E’s Vitamin E range delivers a higher IU punch and keeps the texture lightweight. We pack more antioxidant power into every gram—without the heavy, waxy feel of ultra-concentrated pastes—so you get superior barrier support, faster absorption and a velvety, make-up-friendly finish.
Ready to treat your skin to potent protection and luxe comfort? Choose Derma E Vitamin E 12 000 IU Cream—where extra strength meets effortless wear.
