All The Reasons Why Vitamin E Should Be A Regular In Your Skincare Routine

Written by Sumona Bose22nd May 2020
All the reasons why vitamin E should be a regular in your skincare routine

We are all aware of the many benefits of vitamin C for our skin. But there is another potent vitamin that is equally beneficial, and that is vitamin E! This nutrient improves the overall appearance and elasticity of your skin, making it more supple and youthful.

While the best way to consume vitamins is through natural food sources, there are supplements and topical products available that work well too. Vitamin E helps treat conditions like acne, psoriasis and other signs of ageing along with sun damage. But if this is the first time you are reading about vitamin E benefits for the skin, here's all that you need to know!

 

Did you know?

FAQs about vitamin E for skin:

Apart from its health benefits, vitamin E, a fat-soluble essential nutrient, is also great for your skin. Adding vitamin E to your diet helps improve your immune system, supports cell function, and promotes skin health. Packed with anti-inflammatory properties, vitamin E is also a potent antioxidant, and thus it prevents oxidative damage in the skin caused due to pollution and sun exposure.

 

Benefits of vitamin E for the skin

FAQs about vitamin E for skin:

A few of the major skin benefits you can get from vitamin E are as follows:

 

Vitamin E rich foods

FAQs about vitamin E for skin:

Vitamin E is very easily available in nature, and these are the foods that you should add to your diet on a regular basis to get sufficient amounts:

  • Seafood like shellfish, salmon and oysters
  • Rich, green vegetables like broccoli and spinach
  • Seeds and nuts like sunflower seeds (also immunity boosting) and hazelnuts
  • Exotic veggies like avocado and asparagus
  • Dips like hummus and coconut chutneys
  • Vegetable oils like sunflower, soybean or safflower oil

 

Other vitamin E sources

FAQs about vitamin E for skin:

Apart from vitamin E rich foods, you can also access the nutrient for your skin with two major sources:

Oral supplements:

Oral supplements are the easiest way to introduce vitamin E into your system. While we recommend relying on a balanced diet to get your daily vitamin E fix, supplements can take care of any shortcomings your food might have. But be cautious, and do not overdo it. When consumed in the form of soft-gel capsules and supplements, vitamin E reaches your skin directly in the form of sebum. Sebum is naturally produced by the sebaceous glands in your skin. This is why vitamin E supplements should be consumed in moderation by people with oily skin since they already have enough of this nutrient being produced naturally.

Topical treatments:

Vitamin E is used in many commercially produced skin products available in the market today. Most popularly, it comes in the form of creams and oils which you can apply topically. It is used in a variety of products too, like anti-ageing creams, eye serums, sunscreens, and various makeup products.

 

How to use vitamin E for the skin

FAQs about vitamin E for skin:

Using creams and lotions that are rich in vitamin E can increase sebum production in your skin over time. Because of its thick consistency, vitamin E makes for a perfect all night moisturiser. It cures peeling cuticles and dry elbows. Some people even like to break open vitamin E capsules to apply the oil directly on dry areas of the skin.

 

What is the recommended amount of vitamin E to be used on your skin?

FAQs about vitamin E for skin:

Contrary to popular belief, vitamin E does have a limit to its usage. Depending on your age, you can either use it daily or stick to alternate days. Plus, it is not recommended for people with oily skin to use vitamin E topically on a regular basis.

As far as consumption is concerned, teens, adults, and pregnant women should take no more than 15mg of vitamin E daily. You can either acquire this through your diet or by adding multivitamin supplements to your daily routine.

 

Safety measures around vitamin E intake

FAQs about vitamin E for skin:

While it is safe to consume vitamin E rich foods within limits, it is supplements that you should be careful about. Overdose of vitamin E supplements can reduce the blood's ability to clot during wound healing. It can also create a dependence on supplements, which can be unhealthy as the diet is not being enriched and the body’s dietary needs are not being met.

Limit your supplement intake to one capsule a day, or as directed by your dermatologist. Also, make sure you are purchasing supplements from reliable sources, as there are a lot of counterfeit products available in the market. Look for a regulated stamp from FSSAI (the Food and Safety Standards Act, 2006) on the label of the product.

 

FAQs about vitamin E for skin:

FAQs about vitamin E for skin:

Q. Is it good to apply vitamin E directly on your face?

A. Yes, vitamin E oil can be safely used on your face, if done in moderation. You can use it as an overnight anti-ageing or dry skin treatment. The oil has a thick consistency, which makes it perfect for application before bed. It might be challenging to use it during the day under your makeup and moisturiser because of the thick consistency, so it is best used at night.

Q. Can vitamin E lighten your skin?

A. Since vitamin E is packed with skin regenerative powers that happen on a cellular level; yes, it can lighten your skin. Vitamin E usage has been associated with lightening of dark spots and acne scars on the face.

Q. Is vitamin E bad for oily skin?

A. While vitamin E works wonders for dry skin, it is not advisable to use it for oily skin frequently. The thick and concentrated oil can clog the pores further, leading to dull skin and breakouts. For combination skin, you can use vitamin E just on your cheeks and jawline.

Sumona Bose

Written by

Sumona Bose is a writer, skincare junkie and a self-professed makeup connoisseur. Equipped with a Master's degree in Fashion Management and over 3 years of experience writing in the beauty and fashion space, her passion for learning new things has no bounds. Working closely with dermatologists, beauty excerpts, makeup artists and hairstylists, she brings you the best of all things beauty. From trending skincare ingredients to makeup looks that help you slay, she manages to bring something new (and vital!) to our readers every single time. Her hobbies include home workouts, watching foreign films and binge-watching makeover shows!

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