Vitamin E is one of the most common ingredients in natural skin and haircare products, including eye creams, serums, moisturizers, sunscreens, body lotions, scar creams, shampoos, conditioners, and styling products.
It’s also a staple in DIY skin and hair recipes
But what exactly does Vitamin E do for skin and hair?
Come along as we explore the benefits of vitamin E for skin hydration, photoaging, skin tone, hair and scalp health.
What is Vitamin E?
Vitamin E is an essential fat-soluble vitamin and antioxidant found in various foods, such as wheat germ, sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach, and avocados, as well as in the human body.
It was identified in 1938 and has been used in various applications as a dietary supplement, natural preservative, and for skin and hair health.
There are eight forms of natural vitamin E, also known as tocopherols, with a-tocopherol being the most abundant in the human body.
Tocopherol acetate is one of the most commonly used forms in skin and hair care due to its stability.
Vitamin E is also found in the skin’s natural sebum, where it helps promote skin barrier function by creating a protective layer.
How is Vitamin E Used in Skin & Hair Care?
Vitamin E is used in natural and synthetic skin and hair products for two primary reasons:
- Its natural antioxidant properties make it an effective natural preservative. This is why you’ll often see it called for in DIY skin care recipes.
- It provides a wealth of skin and hair benefits. Vitamin E has been used and studied dermatologically for over fifty years.
A growing body of research has demonstrated its antioxidant and hydrating properties can help promote various aspects of skin and hair health, which we’ll explore next!
Benefits of Vitamin E For Skin Care
Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant and a nutrient.
Antioxidants benefit the skin and the entire body by scavenging free radicals—a type of unstable molecule that can damage cells, including skin cells, over time.
This is why some experts recommend breaking open vitamin E capsules and applying the oil directly to trouble spots, such as age or wisdom spots, or fine lines and wrinkles.
However, this is only one of many benefits of vitamin E for skin and hair.
Moisturizes Dry Skin & Promotes a Healthy Skin Barrier
As mentioned previously, vitamin E is naturally present in sebum, where it forms a protective layer on the skin.
For this reason, it’s frequently used as a natural moisturizing ingredient in body lotions, oils, balms, and butters.
As noted previously, some people also apply the contents of vitamin E capsules directly to their face.
This can work well for individuals with normal or dry skin.
However, vitamin E is considered comedogenic (can clog pores), so applying it undiluted is generally not recommended for those with oily skin or prone to breakouts.
Related reading: What Is A Damaged Skin Barrier? And How Do You Fix It?
May Help Soften Signs of Aging
In addition to its antioxidant properties, which can help prevent skin damage and collagen degradation, research suggests that vitamin E may also help reduce photo-aging (sun damage).
This, along with its hydrating properties, has given it a cult-like following as a safe and natural solution for premature aging.
Vitamin E can be used topically and/or internally by increasing vitamin E-rich foods or taking supplements to support graceful aging.
Always consult your healthcare practitioner for personalized dietary supplement recommendations.
May Brighten and Promote Even Skin Tone
If you’re looking for a natural skin brightener, emerging research suggests vitamin E is worthy of consideration.
Specifically, animal research suggests vitamin E may reduce hyperpigmentation and create a more even skin tone.
This has also been observed anecdotally, but more research is needed.
Promotes Skin Regeneration & Healing
Vitamin E is often recommended for and included in first aid skin care products.
This is primarily due to its antioxidant properties, which create an anti-inflammatory effect when taken internally or applied externally to the skin.
One study also showed that vitamin E combined with vitamin C and zinc helped accelerate wound healing in children.
Another animal study found that wheat germ oil, a rich source of vitamin E, helped accelerate wound healing and reduce wound size within three weeks.
Additional research has demonstrated that vitamin E is as effective as chlorhexidine for post-surgical healing following biopsy and may even aid in healing skin burns.
There is also evidence that emu oil, a rich source of natural vitamin E and essential fatty acids, also helps with wound healing and burns.
Vitamin E may produce these benefits when taken internally and/or applied topically. Talk to your healthcare practitioner for individual recommendations.
May Help With Scarring
Most mothers or individuals who have gained and lost significant weight are familiar with the use of vitamin E oil and creams for reducing the appearance of stretch marks.
Pure vitamin E and vitamin E products are also well-known for helping reduce other types of scars.
Although more research is needed to understand how this works, there is evidence to support its use.
For example, a study published in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery tracked the results of applying either topical vitamin E or a petroleum-based product to the surgical incision sites of children three times a day, 15 days before surgery and 30 days after.
Their findings showed the children in the vitamin E group did not develop any scarring.
Applying vitamin E oil to blemish scars and using vitamin E oil or emu oil (rich in vitamin E and other essential fatty acids) to prevent or treat stretch marks is also a popular trend, often recommended by skincare experts, although it lacks scientific backing.
Note: Caring for surgical sites requires specialized care, so always consult your doctor before applying vitamin E.
Benefits of Vitamin E For Hair
Although its effects on hair are less studied, vitamin E can also help your locks stay strong, hydrated, and shiny.
Here are the details on its benefits for hair and scalp.
Promotes a Healthy Scalp
Healthy hair begins with a healthy scalp, and a healthy scalp needs vitamin E for optimal function.
In many cases, a lack of vitamin E can lead to dryness of the scalp (and skin), resulting in itching, flaking, and a lack of shine and luster in hair.
Research has also demonstrated that vitamin E supplementation and topical use can promote scalp health, thanks to its antioxidant properties, which reduce lipid oxidation and oxidative stress (aka: free radical damage) on the scalp.
Vitamin E, when taken internally or applied topically, also helps moisturize and condition the scalp, resulting in healthier-looking hair.
Looking for dry scalp relief?
Check out Desert Essence’s NEW Dry Scalp Care Line.
May Help With Hair Growth and Hair Loss
So many people struggle with hair loss and thinning, which can be caused by stress, aging, genetics, lack of sleep, hormonal imbalances, or certain autoimmune conditions.
Some research and anecdotal evidence suggest vitamin E can help.
As mentioned previously, its effects on reducing free radical damage in the scalp may lead to less hair loss and more hair growth over time.
Research suggests it works best when taken as a supplement, but people have found benefits from applying it topically, either directly from the capsule or in vitamin E-based hair and scalp care products.
Vitamin E’s natural conditioning and moisturizing effects may also help with hair growth, health, and fullness.
As always, check with your doctor before supplementing with vitamin E for hair growth.
Moisturizes Dry or Damaged Hair
Vitamin E oil is an excellent ingredient to add to any hair oiling or deep conditioning regimen, especially for dry or damaged hair.
Its natural hydrating properties help deeply nourish the hair and hair follicles, leading to less breakage and dryness.
Adds Luster and Shine
Vitamin E’s natural oiliness adds a beautiful, natural luster and shine to all hair types.
Lightly apply and run it through your tresses or the tips as a natural shine-enhancing product.
People also notice a difference in their hair’s shine after using vitamin E-based scalp treatments over a period of days or weeks.
How to Incorporate Vitamin E Into Your Skin & Hair Routine
As noted in previous sections, there are many ways to add vitamin E to your hair and skin routine, including:
Apply topically
Simply break open a pure vitamin E capsule(s) and apply to your skin or hair. Vitamin E is generally well tolerated by most skin types, but may be most beneficial for normal, dry, or mature skin.
Eat more vitamin E-rich Foods
A healthy diet is always your best source of nutrients, including vitamin E.
Some of the best sources include:
- Wheat germ and wheat germ oil
- Avocadoes
- Salmon
- Sunflower seeds
- Sunflower oil
- Almonds
- Hazelnuts
- Leafy greens
Use Clean Skincare Products with Vitamin E
Many skincare products, including several Desert Essence products, contain vitamin E.
We provide a list of these at the end of this article.
You can also add pure vitamin E to your skincare products, such as facial oils, which will create a less oily finish than applying it undiluted.
Take a Vitamin E Supplement or Multivitamin
If you’re not getting enough vitamin E from your diet or if your healthcare practitioner recommends it, natural vitamin E supplements, like those from our sister company, Country Life, are affordable and widely available.
Since vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin (which is stored in the body versus excreted in urine), it’s important not to exceed the recommended dosage, so check with your healthcare practitioner first.
You can also use vitamin E supplements on your skin or hair by poking a hole in the softgel and squeezing out the oil.
Shop Country Life’s Vitamin E supplements.
Reap The Benefits of Vitamin E in These Desert Essence Skin, Body & Haircare Products
At Desert Essence, we are committed to formulating clean, plant-derived, ethically sourced skin, hair, body, and oral care products to support your healthy lifestyle.
Vitamin E is foundational in several of our products, serving as a natural antioxidant, emollient (which smooths, softens, and hydrates), and a preservative, including:
- Tea Tree Oil Skin Ointment
- Tropical Coconut Hand & Body Lotion
- Jojoba, Coconut & Chamomile Body Oil Spray
- Perfect Pistachio Foot Repair Cream
- Coconut Shine & Refine Hair Lotion
Shop all Desert Essence clean skin, hair, body, personal, and oral care products here.
References Mentioned in This Article:
- “Vitamin E in dermatology”. Indian Dermatol Online J.
- “Tocopherol Acetate in the Bulk Phase: Eight Years of Experience in Skin Treatment”. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2004, volume 1031.
- “Skin bioavailability of dietary vitamin E, carotenoids, polyphenols, vitamin C, zinc and selenium”. Br J Nutr.
- “Effects of topical and oral vitamin E on pigmentation and skin cancer induced by ultraviolet irradiation in Skh:2 hairless mice”. Nutr Cancer.
- “Evaluation of the Wheat Germ Oil Topical Formulations for Wound Healing Activity in Rats”. Pak J Biol Sci.
- “Effects of Topical Emu Oil on Burn Wounds in the Skin of Balb/c Mice”. Dermatology Research and Practice.
- “Emu oil enhances cutaneous wound healing by modulating inflammation through promoting macrophage M2 polarization via MAPK signaling pathway”. Journal of Functional Foods.
- “Immunonutrition: Role in Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration”. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle).
- “A prospective study in children: Pre- and post-surgery use of vitamin E in surgical incisions”. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
- “Vitamin E in human skin: Organ-specific physiology and considerations for its use in dermatology”. Molecular Aspects of Medicine.
- “Serum vitamin E levels and chronic inflammatory skin diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis”. PLoS One,
- “Efficacy of Tocopherol vs. Chlorhexidine in the Management of Oral Biopsy Site: A Randomized Clinical Trial”. Journal of Clinical Medicine.
- “Protective Effects of a Topical Antioxidant Complex Containing Vitamins C and E and Ferulic Acid Against Ultraviolet Irradiation-Induced Photodamage in Chinese Women”. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
- “The Effects of Topical Vitamin E on the Cosmetic Appearance of Scars”; American Academy of Dermatology.
- “Effects of tocotrienol supplementation on hair growth in human volunteers”. Trop Life Sci Res.