Heres Everything Vitamin E Can Do For Your Skin, According To Dermatologists

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Seasonal vitamins get a lot of praise from skin care enthusiasts, but one important vitamin is often overlooked: vitamin E. You may have heard that vitamin A (also known as retinol) is the gold standard for smoothing fine lines and increasing elasticity. Vitamin B3 (in the form of niacinamide) reduces inflammation and improves acne and vitamin C is important to fight hyperpigmentation. ¹ ² ³ But the list (alphabetically) continues with vitamin E, which deserves a little more attention.

Vitamin E has many benefits for the skin, and the good news is that most people get enough in their diet, says Dr. Susan Chon, MD, a dermatologist and professor at the University of Texas at Anderson. Houston Cancer Center, tells SELF. But a little topical vitamin E (in the form of a rich silk serum or moisturizer, for example) can give your skin a boost.

SELF asked dermatologists to break down the biggest benefits of vitamin E for skin and how to incorporate it into your daily routine, which can help you during the colder months ahead.

What is vitamin E and how does it work?

Vitamin C is considered one of the best antioxidants for the skin, but vitamin E is a member of this group. According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, there are different types of vitamin E, but the most important for the body is alpha-tocopherol, which is found in a variety of foods, including natural oils. , peanuts, almonds, spinach, avocado, pumpkin, red pepper, asparagus and mango. (This is why vitamin E deficiency is rare in the United States.)

Vitamin E is said to act as an antioxidant in the body, fighting off cell-damaging particles (called free radicals) that contribute to various health problems, including autoimmune diseases, asthma, eczema, heart and cancer. ⁴ These radical actions affect the skin and specifically help protect cells from ultraviolet (UV) radiation damage (such as accidental sunburns at the beach) and skin cancer. ⁵

So, what are the main benefits of vitamin E for skin health?

Protects from sun damage.

Regarding the UV protection we mentioned above, vitamin E has a protective and reactive role. Its antioxidant properties can reduce free radical damage caused by the sun's rays, Dr. Chon said. ⁶ (Quick science lesson: If you're exposed to too much UV radiation without sunscreen or proper protective clothing, that radiation can damage the DNA in your skin cells.) Vitamin E also helps reduce UV damage by "blocking" it. Damage to the cells' DNA, Dr. Chon says, can also limit the common effects of sun exposure, including redness and tenderness. At this point...

This can reduce inflammation and help wounds heal.

Vitamin E can be anti-inflammatory because it attacks those nasty free radicals, says Dr. Rachel Westby, a board-certified dermatologist at New York Marmur Medical and clinical professor at Mount Sinai Hospital. In addition to soothing and repairing sun-damaged skin, vitamin E has been proven to help treat serious injuries, including burns. ^{In these} cases, free radicals combine with vitamin C and zinc to prevent oxidative stress (an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body) and speed up the healing process, says Dr. Western Bay ⁸ ^9. However, it is also available for minor and everyday injuries (such as cutting your leg while shaving in the shower). ) added that there is not enough research on topical vitamin E treatment.

Moisturizes dry skin and gives you a soft look.

There's a good reason vitamin E is routinely included in thick, moisturizing body oils: It easily penetrates the top layer of skin, strengthening the stratum corneum (outer layer) and attracting moisture, says Dr. Chon. (As SELF previously reported, a weakened skin barrier can't retain water properly.) That's why topical vitamin E can help with dry and weakened skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis. ¹⁰ (Vitamin E alone is unlikely to treat moderate to severe eczema or psoriasis; if you have these conditions, you'll often need additional treatments prescribed by a dermatologist, Dr. Chon says.)

These moisturizing benefits mean that vitamin E can help correct uneven skin texture, as a damaged stratum corneum can lead to flaky skin with rough patches. Basically, the firmer the skin, the smoother the skin, says Dr. Toyin Falola, a board-certified dermatologist and professor of internal medicine at the University of Texas at Austin's Dell School of Medicine. the same

What to look for on ingredient labels

Vitamin E is an important ingredient in many face and body products such as lotions, creams or oils and is often combined with other moisturizing ingredients such as ceramide, shea butter and almond oil. If your skin is very dry or you notice signs of dehydration as soon as the temperature drops, Dr. Chon immediately recommends a thick cream with vitamin E (and ideally ceramides, which strengthen the skin's defense). From the shower, because wet skin can better absorb all these good ingredients. Some products to try:

Burt's Bees Body Oil with Lemon and Vitamin E

$10.00, Amazon

Palmer Vitamin E Body Butter

$11.00, Amazon

Ro Derm Nourishing Cream

$20.00, Amazon

Karite DERMA-E Therapeutic Body Cream with Vitamin E, Lavender and Neroli

$13.00, Amazon

It should be noted that vitamin E can be more effective when combined with vitamin C and ferulic acid, which are powerful antioxidants. "Products containing vitamin C and vitamin E have been shown to be effective in protecting against UV rays," says Dr. Western Bay. And you can get additional benefits by adding ferulic acid to the mix. Research shows that the trio of vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid can significantly reduce sun damage and dark spots. ¹¹ ¹² The serum with all three ingredients is SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic ($182, Dermstore), recommended by Dr. Westby for its high vitamin C content (15%). Another option to consider: Timeless Skin Care 20% Vitamin C + E Serum with Ferulic Acid ($25, Amazon).

SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic Acid

$182.00, Dermstore

Ageless Ferulic Acid Skin Care Serum and 20% Vitamin C + E

$27.00, Amazon

Are there any disadvantages to using vitamin E products?

Vitamin E is generally considered safe for all skin types, says Dr. Falola, but if you have chronic skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, you should consult a dermatologist before incorporating it into your skin care routine. Make sure you don't get frustrated.

However, products containing vitamin E oil (including the serums mentioned above) may not be suitable for everyone. "Vitamin E is generally not recommended for very oily or acne-prone skin because it can be comedogenic, meaning it can clog pores," says Dr. Western Bay because it is fat-soluble (it dissolves easily in fats and oils). They are sometimes added to oil formulas and are less likely to gel on already oily or problem-prone skin, she explains.

Another warning, especially for people with sensitive skin: topical vitamin E may cause allergic reactions in some people. It's rare, Dr. Chon says, but if you experience burning, stinging, redness or general irritation after using a vitamin E product, stop using it immediately. He advises. ¹³ (Here are some more tips for dealing with an allergic reaction, just in case.)

Not sure if vitamin E and your skin are doing well? Dr. Chon recommends doing a patch test before use to avoid unwanted side effects. Another important tip: the concentration of vitamin E is usually lower in body fluids than in serum. So it might be a good idea to try a lotion first before moving on to stronger ingredients that your skin can handle. Dr. Cho recommends.

For most people, the benefits of vitamin E outweigh the potential risks. It is an antioxidant that protects, soothes and hydrates your skin. In other words, it's a skincare favorite for good reason and deserves a place alongside dynamic topical vitamins like A and C.

Sources:

Nutrients , vitamin A in skin and hair: an update
Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, Clinical comparison of topical benzoyl peroxide 2.5% plus niacinamide 5% versus benzoyl peroxide 2.5% alone in mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris.
Indian Dermatology Online Journal , Vitamin C in Dermatology
Physiology, Lifestyle, Oxidative Stress and Antibacterial Limits - A Round Trip in the Pathophysiology of Chronic Diseases.
A PLUS : Differential effects of topical treatments with vitamin E and ferulic acid CE on skin tumor growth induced by ultraviolet B light in Skh-1 mice.
Cancer , oxidative stress
Academic Archives of Emergency Medicine , Inflammatory Oxidative Stress and Serum Glutathione Deficiency; A cross-sectional study
Indian Dermatology Online Journal , Vitamin E in Dermatology
PLoS One, Serum vitamin E levels and chronic inflammatory skin diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology , Protective effects of topical antioxidants containing vitamins C and E and ferulic acid on UV-induced photodamage in Chinese women.
Dermatology , Vitamin E in atopic dermatitis: from preclinical to clinical studies
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology , Effect of a topical antioxidant serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid after 1064 nm Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of topical aggressors caused by skin pigmentation.
Karger , Vitamin E in atopic dermatitis: from preclinical to clinical studies

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Originally published by AUTO