Vitamin E oil is both a nutrient and an antioxidant that’s always been known for its myriads of health and beauty benefits. Extremely versatile in its purest form, it can be slathered on the skin or swallowed orally as a capsule.

Vitamin E is a nutrient your body needs to support your immune system and help your cells to regenerate. 

Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties make it an absolute essential to your everyday health.

“Through its strong antioxidant properties, it is known to neutralise free radicals (molecules produced when your body breaks down food or is exposed to tobacco smoke or ultraviolet radiation from the sun), that damage cells and may contribute to skin/cardiovascular diseases, cancer or neurological ailments”, stresses the National Institute of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.

Skin Benefits

Vitamin E is most commonly known for its positive influence on the facial skin health and appearance. Using vitamin E oil for your face can help you in several different ways, though one must remember that the evidence to back up these benefits varies, and some of it is largely anecdotal. 

# It Nourishes you Skin

Vitamin E is a powerful fat-soluble antioxidant, which means it can build up in your skin layers, nourishing it and causing it to rejuvenate from within. It reduces inflammation and makes your skin look supple and softer. Burst a Vitamin E capsule to apply for a soft and radiant skin.

Owning to its thick consistency, you may have difficulty putting makeup or serums on top of it if applied in the morning. Thus it can best be applied topically to your face as an overnight treatment. 

# Possesses Anti-Ageing Effects 

Its high antioxidant content affects blood circulation. It promotes healthy skin, thereby reversing signs of ageing such as wrinkles and crow feet. One can experience an evident difference in the firmness and structure of the skin after a topical use of vitamin E oil.

A 2013 review of the literature tells us that vitamin E and other natural ingredients rich in antioxidants are generally accepted as a treatment for delaying wrinkles, also called photoaging. 

# Lightens Acne Scars

Vitamin E oil helps to regenerate new skin cells and can lighten scars on the face.

Some people swear by vitamin E as a spot treatment for acne scarring, but research on if they work is inconclusive. While vitamin E does promote circulation, it doesn’t appear to speed heal. 

Though it may be hard to apply makeup over the scarred area you have spot-treated with vitamin E, it may be best to avoid doing this treatment overnight. Vitamin E’s consistency can clog pores, especially in areas that are prone to acne.

# Lightens Hyperpigmentation 

Dark patches on your skin can be caused by an accumulation of excess of skin coloring pigment melanin, which is triggered by hormones or other causes. Called melasma, this condition is believed to be treatable through the use of topical vitamin E.

The most effective way to use vitamin E to treat hyperpigmentation is to pair it with vitamin C.

# Acts as a Moisturiser

Vitamin E is an oil-soluble nutrient and is hence heavier than water-soluble products. It restores the lost moisture, and this is why it works best for dry and damaged skin. You can mix a few drops of vitamin E oil with your night moisturizing lotion and apply it on your body before going to bed.

# Helps reduce Dark Circles

Applying Vitamin E oil around the eyes is a great way to get rid of dark circles. Add a few drops to your normal cream and massage gently.
 
# Treats Sunburns

Vitamin E is a powerhouse of antioxidants that neutralize the effects of free radicals caused by ultraviolet radiation, hence soothing sunburns. Take a few drops of vitamin E oil and rub it gently over the sunburnt area. 

# Acts as a Cleansing Agent

Vitamin E oil is a heavy emollient and makes for a great way to get rid of dirt, grime and other impurities while simultaneously maintaining your skin’s oil balance. Use a few drops of vitamin E oil on a cotton ball to wipe your face.

# Treats Chapped Lips

Use vitamin E oil as a moisturizer to soften dry lips. Its topical application promotes cell turnover and regeneration to bring new cells to the surface faster, making the lips soft and supple. In addition, the thick and oily consistency of vitamin E oil  also prevents further irritation. You can either pair it with honey, or use it as is. 

Here’s how to apply vitamin E oil to your face as an overnight treatment: 

1. Wash your face clean of any makeup/skin products and dirt or excessive oil. Rinse afterward with lukewarm water, and pat dry.
2. If you’re using pure vitamin E oil, mix one or two drops of it for every 10 drops of a carrier oil, like jojoba oil, almond oil, or coconut oil.
3. Apply the mixture or the vitamin E serum of your choice to your skin using your fingers. Rub your face in small circular motions as you apply the treatment so that you stimulate circulation and spread the product out as far as it will go.
4. Wait at least 20 minutes after application before resting your face on a pillow or any other surface. This treatment is best repeated once or twice a week as part of a skin care routine about 30 minutes before bedtime.

Applying vitamin E as an anti-aging skin-conditioning agent overnight all over face ensures a full and effective absorption.

Vitamin E Face Masks

Beauty mask treatments that contain vitamin E may have skin-softening and anti-aging benefits. Masks with vitamin E tend to be paired with other ingredients, such as vitamin C.

Create your own vitamin E mask by combining vitamin E oil with skin-soothing almond oil, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, honey, and mashed avocado. Leaving this mixture on your face for 10 to 20 minutes may boost your skin’s clarity, brightness, and softness. 

To keep from clogging your pores or throwing off your skin’s natural oil balance, don’t use vitamin E treatments more than once or twice a week. 

# Cures Muscle Spasms

Vitamin E is very good for relaxing the muscles and can therefore be used to cure muscle spasms, especially during periods.

# Effect on nerves

Nerve cells that enable proper cognitive function, are built largely out of cholesterol and polyunsaturated fats. These compounds are highly susceptible to oxidative damage. Vitamin E, through its powerful antioxidant properties (It is a fat-soluble antioxidant, which allows it to cross the blood-brain barrier), protects these fats from oxidation to reduce oxidative stress on the brain.

Patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have been found to have lower levels of vitamin E in the cerebrospinal fluid which nourishes and protects the brain. And since high levels of oxidative stress in the brain may potentially contribute to AD, vitamin E may help protect neurons from undergoing this damage.

How to Get Enough Vitamin E

You’re probably already getting enough vitamin E in your diet, but adding more through healthy foods could help speed up your cell synthesis and make you feel healthier overall.

Foods richest in vitamin E are nuts and seeds – dried apricots, hazelnut, almonds, walnuts; whole grains, vegetable oils, such as corn, soyabean, and wheat germ oil, dark-colored fruits such as blueberries, avocados and blackberries, and vegetables such as sweet potato, broccoli, spinach, parsley and green paprika.

Vitamin E oral supplements, available both in capsules or drops, can help support your body’s nutritional needs. You can find them online and in most health food stores. Added benefit of vitamin E oral supplements may be a glowing and younger looking skin. 

Daily vitamin E intake for adults shouldn’t exceed 15 milligrams. 

Vitamin E precautions and safety

Vitamin E isn’t an effective remedy for everyone. If you experience frequent breakouts or have pores that clog easily, applying topical vitamin E oil could aggravate your symptoms. 

Taking oral vitamin E supplements for a short duration is safe for most people, but taking them for over a year can cause vitamin E to accumulate inside of your body. Too much vitamin E in your bloodstream can result in a reduced platelet count and blood thinning.

If you take blood thinners or if you have a bleeding disorder, speak with your doctor before starting vitamin E oral supplements.