Benefits of vitamin e supplements for skin

Your skincare routine probably involves a ton of vitamins. Sure, you may not think about them too much when you apply a product to your face and body, but they're worth your attention — vitamins are crucial to prompting cell turnover and revealing healthy-looking skin!

One of those important skin nutrients is vitamin E.

Vitamin E benefits your skin by protecting it from free radicals that can damage cells and lead to premature aging. You're exposed to free radicals in your everyday life in the form of air pollution, cigarette smoke and damage from the sun's UV rays. Using vitamin E offers a protective shield against these elements.

Although there are about eight different types of vitamin E, you'll likely only find a kind called alpha-tocopherol in cosmetic products. If you see "tocopherol" on your favorite skin care product's ingredient list, that's vitamin E! Here's what you should know about its natural sources and how to use it as part of your skincare regimen.

Natural Sources of Vitamin E

Vitamin E is found in a variety of good-for-you foods. The FDA recommends that adults get about 15mg of vitamin E daily. If you eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet, you're probably already getting a lot of vitamin E!

Here are some rich sources of vitamin E, according to the National Institutes of Health:

• 1 tablespoon of wheat germ oil, 100% of your daily value (DV)

• 1 ounce of dry roasted sunflower seeds, 37% DV

• 1 ounce of dry roasted almonds, 34% DV

• 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, 15% DV

• ½ cup of boiled spinach, 10% DV

• ½ cup of boiled broccoli, 10% DV

You can also find vitamin E in fortified foods like cereal or juice. Nothing on the list look appealing? Ask your doctor if they can recommend a daily vitamin E supplement.

How Vitamin E Benefits Your Skin

Now that you know a few healthy ways to work vitamin E into your daily diet, you're probably wondering why it's all worth it. We've got you covered. Here are three different ways vitamin E benefits your skin and body:

• Repairs cell membranes. Vitamin E has been linked to rapid and enhanced cellular repair, but now research in Free Radical Biology and Medicine has shown that it can also help with muscle recovery by enabling cell membranes to repair, particularly after exercise.

• May improves eczema symptoms. According to research published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, getting an extra boost of vitamin E may help improve symptoms of atopic dermatitis.

• Reduces signs of aging (with help from vitamin C). Pairing vitamin E benefits with vitamin C can have a powerful antioxidant effect on your skin. There's evidence that combining these two nutrients speeds up wound healing, sends under-eye wrinkles packing and promotes healthy skin cell growth!

Using Vitamin E on Your Skin

With all the wonderful vitamin E benefits within your grasp, it's no surprise this natural ingredient is a crucial component of many nourishing products. Skincare that incorporates vitamin E complements the skin cell renewal process to visibly improve skin’s tone and texture while reducing the look of dull skin and dark spots. The result is brighter, wide-awake skin.

So, go ahead, put on some vitamin E serum and munch on a few sunflower seeds — your complexion will thank you for it!

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Your vitamin intake doesn't have to stop with the one or two multivitamins you take every morning. If you have anything close to a well-rounded skincare routine, you've probably already noticed by now that some of your favorite products include vitamins—A, B3, and C, to name a few—as star ingredients because of the many benefits they offer.

Another one that you might be able to find somewhere on your labels is vitamin E. According to celebrity aesthetician Renée Rouleau, vitamin E is “a hydrating and skin-comforting antioxidant” with a ton of pluses for your skin. It's most often found in moisturizers, serums, and in the form of special capsules that can be applied topically.

To get the lowdown on this potent antioxidant, some top experts detail exactly what vitamin E can do for your complexion and why it's such a useful ingredient when it comes to soothing, protecting, and hydrating your skin.

From when to use it, how to layer it with other products, and what to look for when shopping for a new product, read on to learn more about vitamin E's tightening and brightening benefits.

Meet the experts:

• Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital's Department of Dermatology
• Renée Rouleau, celebrity esthetician and trusted skincare expert
• Nkem Ugonabo, MD, MPH, dermatologist and American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery Fellow at UnionDerm in New York City

What is vitamin E?

If you want to get technical, vitamin E (also called tocopherol) is a potent antioxidant that’s actually produced naturally in our skin, says Dr. Zeichner. But you’ll also see it listed as an ingredient in a lot of skin care products, which incorporate the ingredient to protect against environmental damage from sun exposure, UV radiation, and even pollution.

It's also often listed as an ingredient alongside vitamin C, and there’s a really good reason why. Though vitamin C has similar properties, studies have shown that both vitamins actually work better together to protect skin from elements in the environment. “The two work simultaneously to stabilize and recharge each other,” says Dr. Zeichner. So if you’re looking to super-charge this already powerful ingredient, look for products that contain both C and E.

Vitamin E is also an emollient, which means it’s good for moisturizing and softening. In some cases, the anti-inflammatory properties can also help treat inflamed skin, according to Dr. Ugonabo.

What are the benefits of Vitamin E?

Vitamin E's biggest benefit is protection against free radicals in the environment, says Dr. Ugonabo. Over time, free radicals can cause changes in your skin that not only accelerate aging, but can even leave you more susceptible to issues like skin cancer, “so we love recommending protection against them,” she says. Vitamin E helps neutralize the effects of things like pollution and UV rays to protect you and your face.

Not only will it help skin stay healthy, Rouleau says that vitamin E can stimulate circulation and boost collagen production, soothe irritation and balance excess oil production. She adds that it can also help rehydrate dry skin by allowing for long-lasting moisture retention between your skin cells—much longer than products without it.

Vitamin E is a skin-soother as well: It can help improve and strengthen your skin’s protective barrier, which can help with sensitivity. Its anti-inflammatory properties can often help calm down irritated or sensitive spots as well. Bonus, “it’s also vegan,” says Rouleau.

How can I add vitamin E to my skincare routine?

“The best way to use it is in combination with vitamin C, so I often recommend serums that contain both,” says Dr. Ugonabo.

Since vitamin E is your free radical-fighting friend, you want to put this on in the morning before you start your day for maximum benefits. Dr. Ugonabo says it works best on freshly clean skin, but don’t forget your sun protection as well: “Wash your face, apply the serum, and then sunscreen goes on top.”

Dr. Zeichner agrees: “Think of your morning routine as a time of protection and prevention of damage," he says. "Layer your antioxidant serum underneath sunscreen every morning.”

So after you eat that daily multi-vitamin, don’t stop there! Make sure you’re giving your skin the same protection. Ready to try? Check out these expert-recommended products below.

1

Best Overall

SkinCeuticals

C E Ferulic

2

Best Splurge

SkinBetter Science

Alto Defense Serum

3

Best Sun Protection

MELE

Dew The Most Face Moisturizer SPF 30

4

Best For Brightening

Bliss

Bright Idea Vitamin C & Tri-Peptide Moisturizer

5

Best On-The-Go

RoC

Multi Correxion Revive + Glow Vitamin C Night Serum Capsules

6

Best Lightweight Treatment

Renée Rouleau

Vitamin C & E Treatment

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What are the benefits of vitamin E capsules for skin?