Vitamin E Oil Provides Intense Hydration for Dry Skin—Why Dermatologists Love It So Much
Vitamin E is no longer a new thing in the cosmetic industry. In the past, it seemed like every teen magazine touted this ingredient as the solution to treating pimples and healing acne scars.
In addition, this oil has been praised for its moisturizing, antioxidant, and skin-protecting properties, as well as its hair-repairing powers.
While we all love trying the latest and greatest products, we shouldn’t stick with tried and tested products either.
To bring you up to speed on what vitamin E oil can do for your skin and how to incorporate it into your current beauty routine.
We spoke with board-certified dermatologists Jennifer L. MacGregor, M.D., Raymond Schep, M.D., Lamees Hamdan, M.D., and celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau.
Read on to learn more about this dry-skin-protecting ingredient.
Meet the Experts
Jennifer L. MacGregor, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City.
Raymond Schep, MD, is the chief chemist at Colonial Dames Co. and a member of the California Association of Toxicologists.
Renée Rouleau is a celebrity aesthetician and founder of Renée Rouleau Skincare.
Lamees Hamdan, MD, is the CEO and founder of Shiffa.
What is Vitamin E?
“Vitamin E is an antioxidant vitamin and oil,” says McGregor. “It is often added to topical antioxidant blends or moisturizers.”
In skin care, vitamin E is usually found in the form of an oil or cream.
Tocopherol (the form of vitamin E that the body metabolizes) is usually produced synthetically, but it is also found in natural products.
Avocado, pumpkin, and wheat germ oils are all excellent sources of the vitamin for topical and internal use. 1
Vitamin E
Ingredients: Barrier enhancer
Main benefits: Moisturizing, smoothing, antioxidant
Suitable for: Generally suitable for all people with dry skin. Vitamin E is not recommended for sensitive skin.
Frequency of use: Vitamin E should be applied no more than once a day, preferably at night, as it is often too thick to go under makeup.
Combines well with vitamin C and ferulic acid
Do not use with: retinol/vitamin A2
The form of vitamin E also plays a role: “Synthetic vitamin E comes in eight different forms, only one of which is identical to the natural molecule.
As a result, natural vitamin E is at least twice as potent as synthetic vitamin E,” Schep explains. It is also used as tocopheryl acetate in cosmetics.
[Since] natural D-alpha tocopherol is about eight times more expensive than synthetic vitamin E, the synthetic form is often used in cosmetics, especially in high-potency products.
In addition, natural vitamin E must go through several processing steps to remove pesticides and herbicides, and these may not be completely removed.
This disadvantage does not exist with synthetic vitamin E.
Benefits of vitamin E for dry skin
Protecting the lipid barrier: “Vitamin E keeps the lipids in the skin fresh,” explains Rouleau. “This helps keep the skin’s protective barrier intact.
[Intactness] helps fill in small cracks in the skin barrier, preventing water loss that can make the skin feel tight and dry.”
Keeps skin moisturized: Additionally, vitamin E helps hold moisture between skin cells for longer than products without vitamin E. 2 It provides up to 16 hours of hydration, according to Rouleau.
Repairs skin: Schep explains why vitamin E is so popular: “The main benefit of vitamin E is that it speeds up the healing of skin damage, such as burns and wounds, by up to 50 percent.
It has antioxidant properties, which can repair the skin after sunburn and various irritations and injuries. It also increases the skin’s hydration level, which slows down the aging of the skin.”
It’s an antioxidant:
Vitamin E also has antioxidant (fat-soluble) properties—it helps neutralize harmful free radicals, and because of its antioxidant properties, it can inhibit the oxidation of sebum (oil), which can help prevent blackheads.
2 “The words ‘anti’ and ‘oxid’ refer to antioxidant activity,” explains Rouleau. “As the hardened and clogged oil tips in pores turn black due to oxidation, vitamin E can help slow this process.” Soothes Skin: Formulas with vitamin E take care of environmentally stressed skin. 2 The ingredient smoothes skin and provides a sense of comfort after irritation caused by acne, pollution, and sun damage.
Sun Protection: Vitamin E also offers photoprotective properties. 3 “When combined with vitamin C and used under sunscreen, vitamin E can provide four times more protection than sunscreen alone,” says Rouleau.
Possible Side Effects of Vitamin E
“If pure vitamin E is taken in capsules and applied directly to the skin, it may cause a dermatitis-like reaction, especially on thinner and more sensitive skin, such as the skin around the eyes,” warns Rouleau.
If you’ve ever had dermatitis (the medical term for skin inflammation) caused by a skincare product, you know that applying skincare to the area without doing a patch test is never a good idea.
Vitamin E is also considered comedogenic, meaning it can clog pores and eventually cause acne. Therefore, it may worsen symptoms for people who are prone to acne and breakouts.
If you notice any changes in your skin after using vitamin E, consult a trusted dermatologist.
Oral Supplements vs. Topical Vitamin E
Vitamin E is found naturally in a variety of foods, and while we need more of it as we age, most people don’t need supplements.
Topical vitamin E is found in many skin care products and is not only a safer alternative, it’s also suitable for spot treatments on specific areas of the skin.
Some people like to extract vitamin E from a capsule and apply it directly to the skin to get a high concentration. However, this can be sensitizing and lead to unwanted side effects. Irritation.
If you’re considering taking an oral supplement, talk to your doctor first, as vitamin E may interact with medications.
Application
“If you’re looking to treat a specific scar or area, you can pierce a vitamin E capsule and apply the oil to the affected area for a few weeks,” advises Hamdan.
It’s a fantastic antioxidant, and its ability to fight premature skin aging has been extensively studied.
That’s why I prefer taking vitamin E oil over pure vitamin E, which is usually the alpha-tocopherol version of vitamin E.
Even if you have sensitive skin, you can use vitamin E—just take a small amount and apply it gently.
If you experience breakouts or redness, this may be a sign that your skin is having trouble tolerating it.
As for concerns about comedogenicity, “it’s important to note that vitamin E is found in very low concentrations in skincare products,” says Rouleau.
This application is a far cry from piercing a capsule and applying the ingredient in its pure form.
So if you want to try the latest vitamin E serum, go for it; it’s probably diluted enough that it won’t cause problems.
However, it’s difficult to determine a product’s purity level or how your skin will react to it based on its ingredient list. This applies to every ingredient in every product, however.
Rouleau says it’s always best to test for compatibility before purchasing a new product.
Bottom line: Vitamin E oil is a powerful antioxidant found in skin care and beauty products. It can help fight the effects of free radicals that cause skin aging and damage.
Vitamin E also has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe the skin and help treat conditions like acne and dryness.
Plus, it strengthens the skin’s natural barrier function, locking in moisture and moisturizing the skin. For vitamin E to benefit the skin, topical application is recommended.
Vitamin E can clog pores and cause acne, especially in acne-prone skin. If you notice any changes in your skin after using vitamin E, consult a dermatologist.
