Vitamin E for Skin: Benefits and Side effects

“Stop wishing you had great skin and get it!” Read about the benefits of vitamin E for healthy skin.

Great skincare isn’t only about the stuff we use; it’s also about how we approach our lifestyle and nutrition. Taking care of your skin is a smart investment.

Vitamins are vital for maintaining skin texture and health if you’re looking for natural approaches to support healthy skin.

Vitamins are best obtained via nutrient-dense foods, however, multivitamin supplements and topical vitamin treatments can also be beneficial.

This article delves deeper into vitamin E and what it may do for your skin. Stay tuned to unveil the benefits of vitamin E for skin!

Vitamin E and Skin health

Vitamin E has potential health benefits associated with it. One of which is its benefit on skin health!

When applied topically, it helps with skin problems and restores the damaged skin. It aids in a variety of cellular restorative processes, from UV damage to scar or burn recovery.

The question here is, what role does vitamin E play in terms of skincare? What is the process behind this?

Vitamin E acts as a protective barrier from daily environmental stressors like unprotected sunlight exposure and pollution by fighting free radicals.

It also aids the body’s ability to fight against free radicals by keeping the skin healthy and supple.

Vitamin E also has “moisturizing and healing” properties and aids in the improvement of the skin’s natural barrier. It’s a “workhorse of a vitamin”.

Vitamin E is also a potent antioxidant besides its role as an important vitamin that aids in immunological regulation, cardiovascular and brain health, and vision maintenance [1].

Benefits of taking Vitamin E for skin

Vitamin E’s health benefits span a wide range of medical conditions. However, the most obvious benefit is in the treatment of damaged skin and hair, such as dry skin, dehydrated and aging skin, etc.

Listed down are the benefits of taking vitamin E for the skin:

1. Vitamin E and Premature aging of the skin

Vitamin E prevents your body and skin from wrinkles, dullness, and sagging by slowing the aging process.

Vitamin E improves the skin’s flexibility by enhancing the fundamental creation of collagen protein, which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles [2].

It reduces dark spots and chapped skin in the same way. When applied topically to dark spots, it reduces the appearance of the spots and smooths rough skin by moisturizing cell membranes [3].

2. Vitamin E and sunburn

Let’s start with the basics: the best way to avoid photodamage or sunburns is to avoid exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can come from the sun or tanning beds.

Sun protection is a recurring theme among the best vitamins for the skin, and vitamin E is no different.

Make sure you apply sunscreen to protect your skin from scorching heat and sunburn!

Vitamin E may offer anti-tumor and photoprotective benefits, according to research [4].

3. Vitamin E and lipid barrier on the skin

Skin serves as a barrier to the external agents, and skin cells, like many other cell types in your body, contain lipid membranes. Free radicals can damage cells by collapsing the lipid (fat) membrane [4].

To keep you from losing water and electrolytes too quickly, skin cells have lipid membranes covering the outside of the skin.

This prevents moisture from evaporating too quickly. Vitamin E can help keep this protective layer intact and repair cellular damage that has already been done by free radicals.

4. Vitamin E and skin whitening

Vitamin E is a successful treatment for most skin concerns [5]. The skin can appear dull and lusterless if it has an uneven skin tone or is dry owing to aging or toxin buildup.

One of the many benefits of vitamin C has also been observed to work wonders for the skin.

Topical application of vitamins E and C has been discovered to help minimize the harmful free oxygen radicals, according to scientists. These nutrients have the potential to brighten the skin [6].

Hence, vitamin E for skin whitening can be given a try! There are also other foods that are beneficial for skin whitening like strawberries, broccoli, citrus fruits, etc.

5. Vitamin E and skin health:

The health of your skin plays a major role in protecting your body, so you should take better care of it. This will aid you against falling sick or sustaining harm to your bones, muscles, or internal organs [7]. Vitamin E shields the skin from the appearance of scars, wrinkles, and fine lines.

Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that may help to protect skin from UV damage. Besides, using vitamin E topically on your skin can help nourish and protect it from harmful free radicals.

6. Vitamin E and stretch marks

Stretch marks are white striations on the skin that arise as a result of overstretching, causing the skin to lose elasticity and smoothness. It’s a rather typical pregnancy and significant weight gain adverse effect.

Vitamin E oil, when applied regularly and gently to stretch marks, might restore suppleness and lightens noticeable stretch marks [8].

7. Vitamin E and healing

Many people believe that rubbing vitamin E oil on cuts and bruises will speed healing and make them less apparent. Stores around the world sell vitamin E ointments and creams that promise to heal certain injuries.

Vitamin E may influence cellular signaling, according to research. As a result, studies suggest that vitamin E can help heal wounds [9].

8. Vitamin E and nail health

Yellow nail syndrome is characterized by peeling, damaged, and pale nails, and vitamin E supplementation is known to help prevent it.

Vitamin E oil’s hydrating characteristics may improve nail health by preventing damaged cuticles and dry skin surrounding the nail plate [4].

9. Vitamin E and inflammation

Vitamin E has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties across several studies.

These characteristics help to speed up the process of skin regeneration, which involves the replacement of dead skin cells with healthier ones, resulting in a more radiant appearance. It also protects your skin from the effects of pollutants [10].

Side effects of Vitamin E for skin

The usage of vitamin E isn’t recommended for all skin types due to the sensitivity it can trigger. Sensitive-skinned individuals should avoid using this vitamin in their skincare regimen and favor vitamin E food sources instead.

If you’re unsure, consult your dermatologist, who can give you advice based on your skin type.

Though the side effects of topical application of vitamin E are rare, it can sometimes cause contact dermatitis, skin redness, and xanthomatous reactions (fat buildup under the skin) [4].

Look for the term “non-comedogenic” (meaning it won’t clog pores) on the label, if your skin is susceptible to acne breakouts.

Vitamin E products for skin

Let us take a look at the vitamin E-loaded products readily available in the market. Vitamin E for skin and hair is popular in the industry.

Vitamin E capsules

Vitamin E capsules are high in vitamin E oil, which you can combine with other ingredients to make face masks, lotions, and other cosmetics.

These capsules can be combined with some common face mask ingredients like yogurt, honey, papaya paste, olive oil, and milk.

There are two types of vitamin E capsules available: natural and synthetic

Natural: D-alpha-tocopherol is found in this form of vitamin E. This is the most active form of vitamin E, and your body absorbs it quickly.
Synthetic: This is a synthetic vitamin E that comes in eight different isomers. Only one of the eight isomers resembles actual vitamin E.

Vitamin E capsule risks:

To be on the safe side, perform a patch test. Wait 24 hours after applying a small dose of vitamin E capsule to your jaw area. Keep an eye out for any allergic reactions.

However, vitamin E pills may not be suitable for everyone. Continue reading to find out if vitamin E capsules are safe to ingest in the first place.

Vitamin E Supplements

It’s generally enough to eat meals high in Vitamin E to keep your skin healthy.

“Sebum”, the oily secretions produced by sebaceous glands, supplies vitamin E to the skin when consumed orally, through food, or through supplements [11].

Vitamin E contents in the dermis and epidermis may be higher in those with oily skin.

Vitamin E concentrations may be higher in oily parts of the skin, such as the cheeks and nose, than in dry areas.

The supplements are available in the form of oil, tablets, or powdered forms.

Vitamin E pills have grown increasingly popular as antioxidants in recent years. These are compounds that shield cells from harm.

The hazards and advantages of using vitamin E supplements, on the other hand, are still unknown.

If you wish to consume vitamin E supplements, be sure to take advice from your healthcare professional for dosage and other recommendations.

Vitamin E cream

Topical Vitamin E is offered as a cream or oil. An anti-aging lotion, an eye serum, a sunscreen, or even makeup can all comprise vitamin E.

There is a high absorption rate of vitamin E into the skin. When used topically in the form of creams or any other products, Vitamin E may be retained in the sebaceous glands longer.

Vitamin E and vitamin C-rich products do not degrade quickly when exposed to ultraviolet light.

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Cancer found that applying vitamin E topically to animals prevented UV-induced acute and chronic skin problems [12].

Vitamin E oil for skin

Vitamin E oil’s antioxidant and moisturizing characteristics make it potentially beneficial for fighting inflammation and slowing damage caused by free radicals [4].

Vitamin E oil, as well as products containing it, can be purchased both online and in stores.

Although vitamin E oil is thick and difficult to apply to skin, it can be an effective moisturizer for dry, uneven skin. When it comes to applying skincare products, those that contain vitamin E as an active component may be simpler to use.

Applying vitamin E oil topically to trouble spots like the cuticles and elbows may help. Using vitamin E oil for the face is a popular choice!

Vitamin E foods and skin health

Vitamin E is just as necessary as any other nutrient, even if it draws little attention. However, the majority of us have forgotten this. Making a few modest dietary changes will help you get more vitamin E.

Plant-based oils, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables all contain vitamin E. You can include certain vitamin E rich foods like:

Wheat germ oil

Sunflower, safflower, and soybean oil
Sunflower seeds
Almonds

Peanuts, peanut butter
Beet greens, collard greens, spinach
Pumpkin

Red bell pepper
Asparagus
Mango

Avocado

On food labels, natural vitamin E is frequently identified as d-alpha-tocopherol. Vitamin E is also manufactured.

In Vitamin E jargon, dl-alpha-tocopherol is the synthetic version of the vitamin. In comparison to synthetic vitamin E, natural vitamin E has a higher absorption rate.

When combined with vitamin C, vitamin E absorbs even better.

Complementary recipe for Vitamin E face mask (for glowing skin)

Self-quarantine at home is not at all pleasant. You cannot leave the house, go shopping, or even meet up with friends. You can, however, use this time to enhance your appearance.

Yes, now is “the” time to put all your efforts to good use and experiment with some “at-home tricks” for luminous skin.

And nothing could be better than vitamin E, which is incredibly beneficial to your health. Here’s how.

Ingredients:

2 tsp Papaya pulp
2 Vitamin E capsules
1 tsp Rosewater

Recipe:

Vitamin E capsules should be pricked and blended with papaya pulp
Next, add rose water and mix
Apply it on your face and allow it to dry

Wash your face with clean water and dab lightly with a face towel

Wrapping up

Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that may help to protect skin from UV damage.

The benefits of vitamin E when topically applied to your skin can help rejuvenate and protect it from harmful free radicals.

Consult your dermatologist before you turn to products enriched with vitamin E.

FAQs:

Q: What are the benefits of vitamin E capsules for the skin?

A: Vitamin E nourishes the skin from the inside out and contributes to the photoprotection of the skin [13].

Q: Can you leave vitamin E oil on your face overnight?

A: Yes, you can apply vitamin E oil to your face and leave it on overnight. It’s particularly beneficial for people who have dry skin, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, or dark circles.

Q: Can vitamin E improve skin tone?

A: Yes, it can lighten the dark spots and scars and enhance the natural skin tone.