How Vitamin E Can Improve Your Skin?

Looking for a way simultaneously to boost hydration, improve texture, and protect the skin from UV and free radical damage? Look no further than Vitamin E, an often-overlooked skin care ingredient some truly unique properties! The micronutrient can provide numerous benefits to the health and appearance of the skin making it an excellent addition to any skin care regimen.

What is Vitamin E?

As a fat-soluble vitamin, Vitamin E has antioxidant properties that protect cells throughout your body, including your skin. Your skin's natural oils contain Vitamin E to enhance hydration and protect skin cells. People with oily skin tend to have higher levels of Vitamin E while people with dry skin tend to have less Vitamin E. As with other vital substances, Vitamin E levels decrease as you get older, resulting in drier skin and an increased risk of damage. In addition to the natural aging process, Vitamin E levels in your skin are diminished due to sun exposure, certain types of lights, and tanning beds.

How Does Vitamin E Help the Body and Our Overall Health?

Research shows many benefits of Vitamin E to our overall health. It is recognized as a micronutrient that prevents and reverses certain types of damage. Specifically, Vitamin E reduces inflammation, boosts your immune system, protects against blood clots (platelet aggregation), and serves as an antioxidant.

The Skin Care Benefits of Vitamin E

Vitamin E Benefit #1:

Topical Vitamin E Can Help Soften Dry, Irritated Skin

Studies have shown that vitamin E may be useful in managing the symptoms of dry skin.I It has powerful emollient properties when applied topically and can penetrate the skin to impart lasting moisture. It may also promote a stronger skin moisture barrier —a key characteristic of smooth, healthy-looking skin.

Vitamin E Benefit #2:

Vitamin E Helps Your Skin Retain Water

Though “dry” and “dehydrated” are often used interchangeably, in skincare, they're two completely separate issues. Dry skin is a skin type characterized by a chronic underproduction of sebum, skin's natural oil. Dehydrated skin, by contrast, refers to skin that lacks sufficient water—a key component of the skin's natural moisture barrier. Because of this differentiation, it is possible for your skin to be simultaneously oily and dehydrated. We already covered dryness, but vitamin E can also help with dehydration.

Studies show that topical application of vitamin E can increase the skin's capacity to retain water, effectively preventing dehydrated skin.II By limiting excessive water loss, vitamin E also helps keep the skin's natural moisture barrier intact and working as it should.

Vitamin E Benefit #3:

It's a Powerful Natural Antioxidant

One of vitamin E's most critical functions in the skin is to protect against the damaging effects of free radicals (also known as reactive oxygen species). Free radicals develop after exposure to stressors, like pollution and UV radiation. When left to accumulate on the skin, these damaging compounds can trigger various skin concerns, from premature aging to dark spots and discolorations. As an antioxidant, vitamin E helps neutralize free radicals. Ultimately, this helps limit the effect these stressors have on your skin's health and appearance.

How and When to Add Vitamin E to Your Skincare Regimen

For skin care, Vitamin E can be added to any regimen through dietary consumption or topically.

Vitamin E Consumption

Vitamin E is found in many foods, such as:

♦Greens and spinach

♦Sunflower seeds

♦Some oils, such as soybean and safflower oil

♦Peanuts and almonds

♦Pumpkin

♦Fruits and vegetables, such as mangoes, avocados, and red bell peppers

Vitamin E is also available as a dietary supplement and is often found in many daily multivitamins.

Vitamin E considerations

As with any product you plan to apply to your skin, it is best to start with caution and consider all the risks. The good news is that there are few risks to consider with vitamin E oil instead of vitamin E oral supplements. The main concern with topical vitamin E is skin rash or allergic reaction. 

A vitamin E allergic reaction may present as a rash, swelling, itching, hives, or swelling. If a serious reaction occurs, consider seeking medical treatment. 

Fortunately, for many, there are no negatice side effects of using vitamin E oil for skincare. The potential benefits outweigh the potential risks. Consider adding vitamin E oil to your skin care regimen if you're looking for an overall healthier complexion.