A Guide to Using Vitamin E for Skin: Sources, Benefits, and More

The skincare industry has grown exponentially in recent years due to increased awareness about skin health. The market is filled with products infused with various vitamins, acids and other skin-nourishing ingredients. One such popular ingredient is vitamin E.

It is one of the essential components required for a healthy skin. It has several benefits for the skin including hydration, barrier protection, and skin thickening.

Key Highl​ights

• Vitamin E is a group of fat-soluble compounds. It is an antioxidant that helps in protecting your skin cells from damage.
• This vitamin is found in the sebum in the skin, which protects the skin and keeps it moisturised.
• The top benefits of vitamin E include hydration, barrier protection, sun damage protection, reduced inflammation, and skin thickening.
• You can use moisturisers, oils, and serums containing this vitamin to get its benefits. You can also consume this vitamin through cooking oils, seeds, nuts, vegetables, and fruits.

What is Vi​​tamin E?

Vitamin E is a vitamin with antioxidant properties. It is a group of fat-soluble compounds that help in maintaining healthy skin, eyes, and immune function. It is an antioxidant that is useful for protecting your skin cells from damage. This vitamin is found in multiple food sources like nuts, vegetable oils, and seeds. However, in recent years, many companies have formulated skincare products with this vitamin. Topical application of these products can be beneficial for the skin.

How Doe​s Vitamin E Help Your Skin?

Vitamin E is present in the sebum present in the skin. Sebum is an oily substance that protects and moisturises the skin. Oily skin surfaces like the face have a larger amount of sebum and as a result, more vitamin E.

This vitamin has been used in dermatology for more than 50 years. It is mainly found in cosmetic products like moisturisers, serums, and oils.

Top Benefi​​ts of Vitamin E for the Skin

Vitamin E is one of the essential components needed for healthy, soft, and supple skin. Although the research is still in progress, here are the observed benefits of this vitamin for the skin.

Damage Protection

External factors like pollution, smoke, and other environmental stressors can harm your skin and cause it to age faster. Vitamin E strengthens the outer barrier of your skin cells. It protects your skin from external damage.

Protects the Skin from Sun Damage

According to some experimental studies, vitamin E can assist in protecting the skin from ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. When combined with vitamin C, its ability to block UV rays is enhanced. Note that E vitamin absorbs only some of the UVB rays and is not able to absorb UVA rays.

Hydrates Your Skin

Vitamin E helps in keeping the skin hydrated and moisturised. When included in moisturisers, it protects skin cells from damage by making a protective barrier around the cells. It stops moisture loss and keeps the skin soft.

Reduces Inflammation

Vitamin E also has anti-inflammatory properties. It helps in reducing inflammation caused by sun damage. It can reduce the thickening of the skin, erythema (redness of the skin) and oedema (swelling or fluid accumulation).

Barrier Protection

Vitamin E can prevent smooth muscle cell proliferation using a non-antioxidant mechanism. It protects your skin from age-related diseases due to Hypercholesterolaemia (a lipid disorder).

Helps in Skin-thickening

Vitamin E can help in elasticity retention. Choose products that combine vitamins A, C and E to get a thick and firm skin. Vitamin A hydrates the skin, vitamin C protects proteins like collagen and elastin, and vitamin E prevents sun damage and improves blood flow.

How to Incorp​orate Vitamin E Into Your Skincare Routine?

You can incorporate this vitamin into your skincare routine through topical application or your food.

1. Rub Vitamin E Oil​ on Your Face

Vitamin E oils can reduce the signs of ageing and skin inflammation. Since this oil is very thick, you can apply it at night and leave it overnight.

• Wash your face with a cleanser. Ensure you remove all traces of makeup and skincare products.
• Mix one or two drops of pure vitamin E oil with 10 drops of water. You can use jojoba oil, coconut oil, or almond oil.
• Apply the oil to your face and rub in small circular motions. This stimulates the skin and helps you apply the product evenly.
• Leave it on your face overnight and wash it off in the morning.

2. Apply ​​Serums

You can use Vitamin E serums to reduce acne, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation. Generally, companies combine vitamins C and E to enhance the effectiveness of the serum.

• Wash your face with a cleanser.
• Apply a toner.
• Take 4-5 drops of the serum and dab gently on the face for an even application.
• Apply a moisturiser after the serum.

3. Use Moisturise​​rs with Vitamin E

Vitamin E enhances the effectiveness and potency of a moisturiser. It does not cure any skin condition, but it helps in reducing ageing and the absence of moisture. You can directly buy a moisturiser that contains vitamin E. Alternatively, you can follow this method.

• Wash your face with a cleanser and apply a toner.

• Apply any serum that you use.

• Add 3-4 drops of vitamin E to your regular moisturiser.

• Apply the moisturiser evenly on your face.

4. Include Foo​​ds Containing Vitamin E in Your Diet

Vitamin E is found in multiple food items like cooking oils, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds.

• Vegetables: Vitamin E is found in vegetables like broccoli (boiled), red bell pepper, asparagus, and spinach (raw). Especially broccoli can be helpful for sun damage protection and getting glowing skin. Spinach helps in strengthening the natural barrier and provides a glow to the skin.

• Oils: Cooking oils like wheat germ oil, rice bran oil, sunflower oil, and corn oil contain vitamin E. Sunflower oil reduces redness and inflammation. It also helps in the growth of new skin cells. Corn oil assists in the hydration and moisture retention of the skin.

• Seeds and Nuts: These are the best sources of vitamin E. Sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, and cashew nuts provide vitamin E.

• Fruits: Fruits like mango, kiwi, black currants, blackberries, dried cranberries, pickled olives, apricots, and raspberries contain vitamin E. Fruits also contain vitamin C, which compliments the benefits of vitamin E.

Read More: Eat Right and Light!

5. Supplements

You can also get Vitamin E through capsules. These supplements are used to treat vitamin E deficiency. However, keep in mind that supplements are not a replacement for a good diet. You must also be aware of its side effects like allergic reactions.

Does Vit​amin E Have Side Effects?

There are no major side effects associated with skincare products containing vitamin E. You may experience allergic reactions like rash, hives, itching, and swelling due to vitamin E capsules and tablets. Vitamin E oils can also cause allergic reactions like itching and burning. In rare cases, vitamin E supplements can cause bleeding. If you experience any such symptoms after using products with vitamin E, seek medical help immediately.

Get health insurance to safeguard yourself during medical emergencies like this. Reliance Health Infinity Insurance  offers a cover of up to Rs. 5 crore, extended pre and post-hospitalisation cover, and add-on benefits like OPD coverage.

Read more: ​Find out how health insurance works.

Enhan​​ce​​ Your Skincare Routine with Vitamin E

Vitamin E can be a great addition to your skincare routine. It hydrates your skin, protects your skin barrier, absorbs UVB rays, and helps in thickening your skin. Explore the vitamin E-rich moisturisers, serums, and oils available in the market to pick the products that suit your needs. Also, ensure you include vitamin E-rich foods in your diet to get this vitamin.