Direct evidence for bioconversion of vitamin E acetate into vitamin E: an ex vivo study in viable human skin.

For better stability, vitamin E is commonly used as the non-active esterified pro-drug. Such esters are postulated to be hydrolyzed to the free active form by skin-related esterases. So far, successful conversion of esterified vitamin E to free vitamin E (tocopherol) has been mainly delineated from observed biological effects.