Vitamin E For Skin: Your Next Skincare Superhero

Move over, vitamin C. There's a new antioxidant superhero in town, and her name is vitamin E! 

Even though this active ingredient is constantly being ghosted by almost everyone in the skincare world, vitamin E is a potent antioxidant, and it's pretty much a miracle worker for your skin. 

That’s why we are going to share why it should be your new BFF when it comes to skincare. From its ability to protect you against sun exposure to its hydration-boosting properties for all skin types, vitamin E is definitely a superhero worth adding to your routine. 

So read on and get ready to meet your new skincare sidekick!

What does vitamin E do?

Just like her popular friend vitamin c, Vitamin E is kind of the DUFF of the antioxidant squad. However, that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have great properties for the skin. 

For starters, having antioxidant properties means that it works as a shield to protect your cells from external damage, like sun exposure and pollution which can ultimately cause premature aging. 

It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce the redness and skin irritation associated with acne. Additionally, as a topical treatment, vitamin E can help with wound healing, including postoperative scar formation and acne scars. 

Most importantly, vitamin E is essential for renewing skin cells. This process helps to keep your skin looking youthful and radiant by getting rid of dead cells and promoting the development of new healthy cells. 

Types of vitamin E you can find out there

Vitamin e comes in many different forms, but the most common are alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol. 

Before you get scared about these complicated, scientific, college fraternity-like names, let us explain them to you in an easier way:

• Alpha-tocopherol

Alpha-tocopherol is the most active part of vitamin E in humans and it's the form that's found in supplements and skincare products.

So let’s get this straight: being the most active form of vitamin e means that alpha-tocopherol is an oh-so-mighty beast that bears all the skin benefits of vitamin e.

• Beta-tocopherol

While alpha-tocopherol has the upper hand in the vitamin e world, beta-tocopherol is like the little sibling that is beneficial for the skin but not as much. 

Beta-tocopherol is the shape of vitamin E that's found in the highest amounts in the blood. When vitamin E is taken orally, beta-tocopherol is preferentially absorbed and used by the body. However, when applied to the skin, it's not clear if this form is as effective as its older sibling.

So, all in all, alpha is great for topical vitamin e products, while beta is amazing for oral vitamin e supplements.

Vitamin C vs. Vitamin E: The two titans fight

Both Vitamin C and vitamin E are antioxidants. They work to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals and can be found in any vitamin supplementation product. But, if they are basically like twins, how can you tell them apart? 

Here are the main differences: 

• Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning it dissolves in fats and oils. It is found in foods such as nuts, seeds, and leafy greens. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning it dissolves in water. It is found in fruits and vegetables such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and broccoli.
• Vitamin E helps to heal wounds, protect against sun damage, reduce skin cancer risk, and regenerate new skin. Vitamin C lights the skin and boosts collagen production.

And don’t get us wrong, vitamin E can also promote collagen production, however, vitamin C is more commonly used in anti-aging products since it is more effective in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

• When it comes to skincare, topical vitamin E is often used as an ingredient in moisturizers and sunscreens. Vitamin C is often used in serums and treatments since it can help to brighten your skin and even out your skin tone.

So, should you use vitamin E or vitamin C for your skin? Both vitamins offer benefits for your skin. If you are looking for protection from the sun, vitamin E is a good choice. If you are looking to brighten your skin or even out your skin tone, vitamin C is a good choice. You can also use both vitamins together to get the best results.

11 Benefits of vitamin E that demonstrate its awesomeness

So, what is vitamin e good for? This potent vitamin has a long list of skin benefits and we could spend the whole day talking about everything that it can do for you, but let’s be honest: you want answers and you want them right away. So, let us unwrap the most awesome benefits of vitamin e for skin: 

1. An anti-aging machine

Vitamin E has been shown to be effective in reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. This is because the forms of vitamin e help to protect the skin layers from damage caused by free radicals. 

Without getting too nerdy, free radicals are annoying molecules that are in the environment and can cause deterioration to the skin, being one of the main contributing factors to the formation of these skin problems. So, by protecting the skin from free radical damage, vitamin E can help to reduce the appearance of these signs of aging.

Additionally, vitamin E helps to increase blood flow and oxygen to the skin. This is important because it can help to improve skin health by reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and plumping up the skin to make it appear more youthful and radiant. 

2. An acne-fighting ingredient

Does vitamin e help acne? Good news for acne-prone skin friends: YES!

Acne is a skin condition that vitamin E can help with. This vitamin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help to reduce the redness and swelling of pimples. Vitamin E can also help to heal scars that are left behind by acne.

Moreover, vitamin E has been shown to be an effective sebum reduction agent. The reason why this happens is because it's a powerful antioxidant. When applied to the skin, vitamin E scavenges for free radicals that can damage sebaceous glands and cause them to produce more sebum *aka acne-causing oil*. That’s why, by reducing the number of free radicals on the skin, vitamin E helps to keep sebum production under control.

To get the most benefits for acne, you can apply it topically in a vitamin e oil or cream. Or you can also take vitamin e supplements, but be sure to talk to your doctor first to see if they are right for you.

Check out the best skincare products for acne-prone skin here. 

3. A scar fader

One of the most common questions we get asked is whether or not vitamin E can help with scar healing. The short answer is yes! Pure vitamin E has been shown to be effective in scar management, both new and old.

This is possible because vitamin e works by helping the skin to produce new collagen fibers, which are essential for scar and wound healing. But why is collagen so important? 

As we age, our bodies produce less collagen. This protein is not only responsible for keeping our skin looking plump and elastic, but also is a must when it comes to healing.  When we have a wound, our body needs to create more collagen to help with the restoring process. In this sense, vitamin e is essential for the production of collagen, so getting enough of this vitamin is important if you have minor scars, wound healing disorders, or even if you want to reduce postoperative scar formation. 

So, if you have a wound or scar that's not healing as quickly as you'd like, look no further than vitamin e to speed up the healing process and get you back to having healthy skin.

For this benefit, you can either use topical vitamin e or oral vitamin e!

4. Dry skin moisturizer

The skin hydration effects of vitamin e are a godsend for people with dry skin!

Vitamin e is often praised in the cosmetic and clinical dermatology world thanks to its moisturizing properties. It can be taken orally or applied topically, and works by helping the skin to retain moisture since it can be easily absorbed by the skin and trap all the hydration in! 

So, if you have dry skin, you may want to consider using topical vitamin e products to help keep your skin hydrated. 

5. Treats atopic dermatitis

Eczema is a chronic skin condition that causes the skin to become dry, itchy, and inflamed. There are many different types of eczema, but the most common form is atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is often seen in children but can occur at any age.

There is no cure for eczema, but there are treatments that can help to control the symptoms. One treatment option is vitamin E. This is because, being an antioxidant, vitamin e can reduce the inflammation caused by atopic dermatitis and helps to repair the skin barrier.

Important: When using vitamin E oil for eczema, be sure to start with a small amount and gradually increase as needed.

6. Treats PCD

Pigmented contact dermatitis is a type of skin inflammation that results in a darkening of the skin. It can be caused by exposure to certain chemicals, metals, or other substances. Symptoms include itching, redness, and swelling. 

How does vitamin e help? Well, this little antioxidant helps to lighten the skin by inhibiting the production of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. Moreover, any form of vitamin e can soothe inflammation and reduce redness, evening out the skin tone. 

7. Protects against sun damage

Vitamin e for skin can act as an antioxidant to help protect the skin against damage from ultraviolet (UV) rays, that’s why it is often used in moisturizers and sunscreens. 

Bear this in mind: While vitamin E won't provide complete protection from sun damage, it can help reduce the amount of harming your skin experiences, thus reducing the possibility of developing dark spots, wrinkles, fine lines, and even skin cancer induced by UV rays, including basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. 

8. Removes dark spots

Vitamin e can remove dark spots because it is a natural antioxidant, which means it helps to repair damaged cells *aka skin cells with dark spots* and improves the overall cosmetic appearance of your skin. 

Furthermore, vitamin e is also known for its ability to lighten the human skin and even out the skin tone. 

For this benefit, you shouldn’t use vitamin e supplementation or oral vitamin e. Instead, you should go for topical vitamin e, like vitamin e oil or antioxidant serums, and add it to your skin care routine daily. 

Important: always wear sunscreen when applying vitamin e topically, since it can increase your skin sensitivity to the sun.

9. Tightens loose, saggy skin

Scientific evidence suggests that vitamin E may help improve the look of your skin to make it look tighten and radiant. This is because vitamin e can slow down the loss of collagen and elastin, the proteins that give our skin its structure. 

Moreover, as we age, our skin loses its ability to retain moisture, which makes us end up with sagging skin as a sign of aging. Vitamin e helps to retain water inside the layers of your skin, tightening up your skin and giving you a natural botox effect look. 

10. Reduces inflammation and redness

Some studies have shown that vitamin E can help reduce the severity of acne by reducing inflammation. It’s thought to work by scavenging free radicals that can damage cells and lead to inflamed, sensitive skin, or other pigmentation skin disorders. 

This transforms vitamin E into a powerhouse for those with oversensitivity caused by pollution, the sun, or other environmental factors.

11. Prevents stretch marks

Stretch marks are normal *yes, n-o-r-m-a-l* markings that can occur on the skin during periods of rapid growth, usually during puberty or when you lose and gain weight fast. They may appear as indented streaks on the surface of the skin that are a different color than the surrounding skin.

In this sense, topical vitamin E is key to preventing stretch marks since it works by keeping the skin moist and supple. When the skin is dry, it is more susceptible to stretching and tearing. Vitamin e helps to keep the skin hydrated, which in turn prevents stretch marks from forming.

However, let us stress this again: stretch marks are totally normal so, it is valid if you want to prevent them by using any form of topical vitamin e, but just don’t feel bad if they do appear. Stretch marks are part of life! 

Vitamin E products from A to Z

From topical vitamin e products and vitamin e oil to oral vitamin e supplements, there are many ways in which you can add vitamin e into your day-to-day life and each one of them has a long list of benefits for your skin health. But which one is the best depending on your skin concerns? Let’s discover it: 

Topical vitamin e

As its name suggests, topical vitamin e is the one that you can directly apply to your skin. There are many different skin care products on the market that contain vitamin e, including creams, lotions, and serums. You can find vitamin e as a topical treatment in both over-the-counter and prescription products.

Most of these skincare products include vitamin e oil as their main ingredient since it is easily absorbed by the skin and is non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog your pores and cause acne. 

Moreover, you can find topical vitamin e mixed with other skincare ingredients. 

Oral vitamin e

This is another type of vitamin e supplementation that goes through your mouth and helps your skin from within. 

Oral vitamin e is good for a lot of things! It can boost your immune function, helping your skin to regenerate itself, prevent skin cancer by protecting you from sun exposure, and even smooth wrinkles in fine lines.

In this sense, oral vitamin e can be found by itself or hand in hand with other antioxidants. 

Dietary vitamin E

Vitamin E for dietary intake can be found in many foods, including nuts, seeds, and leafy green vegetables. However, for it to be effective, you have to consume the right amount of vitamin e, that’s why you can also find it in many dietary supplements.

Be sure to always talk to health professionals before including this type of vitamin e in your day-to-day.

Synthetic Vitamin E

There are two types of vitamin e, natural and synthetic. Natural vitamin e is found in foods like oils, vegetables, and seeds. Synthetic vitamin e is made in laboratories and is often used as a supplement. 

While synthetic vitamin e may have some benefits, it's not as effective as natural vitamin e when it comes to skin health. That's because natural vitamin e contains other nutrients that are essential for healthy skin, such as phytochemicals and antioxidants. 

So, if you're looking for a skin care product that contains all the effects of vitamin e, make sure to choose one that contains natural vitamin e instead of synthetic vitamin e.

Skincare cocktails with vitamin e that you must try

Vitamin e can be mixed with other natural ingredients to create a potent skincare concoction. Here are our favorite ones: 

Ferulic acid

This acid is another potent antioxidant that can help to boost the effects of vitamin e. When these two ingredients are combined, they can help to brighten skin, improve elasticity, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Plus, vitamin e + ferulic acid can also help to protect skin from environmental aggressors like pollution.

So if you're looking for a skincare superhero that can help to improve the look and feel of your skin, try vitamin e + ferulic acid. You'll be glad you did!

Other antioxidants

Yes, two antioxidants can be mixed together. In fact, they work well together to provide even more skin benefits. For example, Vitamin C is known for its brightening properties while vitamin E is an antioxidant powerhouse that helps protect the skin from free radical damage. When used together, these vitamins can help improve your overall complexion. 

To mix both vitamins together, simply add a few drops of each vitamin into your palm and mix them together before applying to your face. You can also add them to your favorite skincare products or create your own DIY serum by mixing equal parts of each vitamin with a carrier oil like jojoba or coconut oil.  

However, it is always best to get an antioxidant serum correctly formulated instead of mixing them by yourself. That way you won’t risk irritation and redness caused by too many antioxidants. 

Jojoba oil

Vitamin e oil + jojoba oil are a moisturizing, acne-prone-friendly combo! 

Yes! In fact, vitamin E and jojoba oil are often used together in natural skincare products. Jojoba oil is a lightweight oil that can help to moisturize and protect the skin. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that can help to reduce the appearance of scars and fine lines. Together, these two ingredients can make an effective skincare team!

Do’s and don’ts when using vitamin e skincare products

When it comes to vitamin e and your skin, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Here are some dos and don’ts to follow:

Do’s

• Use vitamin e skincare products as directed by the manufacturer or your dermatologist.
• Be sure to cleanse your skin before applying vitamin e.
• Apply the vitamin to damp skin for best absorption. 
• Follow up with a moisturizer after applying vitamin e oil or any type of skincare product

Don’ts

• Don’t use more products than what is recommended. 

• Don’t apply vitamin e to broken or irritated skin. 
• Don’t forget to wear sunscreen when using this vitamin, as it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, especially if you already have sensitive skin. 

Vitamin E skincare: Where to find the best products? 

So, if you’re looking for a superhero skincare ingredient, vitamin E is your new BFF. It not only helps keep skin healthy and hydrated but also has anti-aging benefits that can help keep you looking young and radiant.

Now, are you convinced of the superhero status of vitamin e? If so, it’s time to start shopping for the best products at Asian Beauty Essentials. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Our shop stocks some of the best vitamin e skincare around. So whether you’re looking for a new moisturizer, serum, or face mask, we’ve got something perfect for you. 

Thanks for reading our blog post on vitamin e for skin! We hope you have found it helpful and informative.