How to Use Vitamin E to Benefit Your Skin, Hair and Health

Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin that acts as a powerful antioxidant to protect cell membranes against free radical damage and it can also benefit your hair and skin. In fact, you can use vitamin E capsules directly and apply the oil to your skin to treat issues such as scars and stretch marks. Vitamin E also protects against LDL cholesterol oxidation.

Vitamin E is needed for the formation of red blood cells. It’s also a great immune enhancer that has protective effects against chronic diseases. Vitamin E can be used to prevent cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes, as well as in skin and hair treatments.

Vitamin E is available in a gel capsule (called softgel), tablet, or liquid form. Some types of vitamin E oils are intended for external use only, so make sure to read the product labels.

Here are some of the benefits of vitamin E:

Vitamin E Benefits for Skin Health

Vitamin E oil helps keep skin hydrated

Vitamin E can be applied topically to your skin in the form of pure vitamin E oil which can be found in capsules. Vitamin E oil is also found in many skin care products, most commonly in sunscreens, anti-aging moisturizers and skin brighteners.

Because vitamin E is a lipid-soluble antioxidant, it can easily access cell membranes of skin cells and protect them against cell damaging lipid oxidation and the destruction of collagen, both of which contribute to the skin’s appearance of aging¹.

Vitamin E helps prevent signs of skin aging

When it comes to anti-aging, vitamins E and C are best friends. They work together to protect cell membranes, enzyme sites, and DNA from damage caused by free radicals.

According to research published in the British Journal of Nutrition, vitamin E contains bioactive compounds that have beneficial effects on skin health². The study stated that when consumed orally, vitamin E administers bioactive compounds that are metabolized and presented to the entire skin tissue in an active form.

The study suggests that taking vitamin E orally is an effective method for getting bioactive nutrients to all areas of the skin in a replenishing fashion. You can also add vitamin E to your diet by enjoying foods high in vitamin E such as: coconut oil, olive oil, spinach, avocados, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, whole grains, eggs and nuts.

You can use vitamin E capsules and apply the vitamin E oil to your face to reduce signs of aging. Vitamin E oil can be thick and greasy so it’s best to put pure vitamin E oil on your face overnight. The oil makes your face appear very shiny and also makes it difficult to put makeup on.

Vitamin E oil helps treat sunburn

Vitamin E oil is used to soothe sunburn as it is absorbed into the epidermis layer of the skin, which can help speed up the healing process.

Vitamin E for scars and stretch marks

Vitamin E oil may also be able to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. When vitamin E oil is applied topically (by using vitamin E oil products or vitamin E gel capsules) it can reduce scars.

Vitamin E  can also fight wrinkles, treat hyperpigmentation, moisturize dry skin, treat chapped lips and strengthen nails.

You can make your own skin moisturizer or facial toner by adding a few drops of vitamin E oil to 2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil and rubbing it on your skin.

Alternatively, you can puncture a few vitamin E capsules and apply the pure vitamin E oil to large patches of your skin to treat stretch marks or large scars.

Taking vitamin E internally promote wound healing

A medical study concluded that taking Vitamin E along with zinc and vitamin C promote wound healing.

Vitamin E oil could also promote wound healing but there is little research about it. You can use vitamin E capsules and apply the pure vitamin E oil to your skin to promote wound healing.

Further reading: The Top 8 Vitamins and Nutrients for a Gorgeous Skin

Vitamin E Benefits for Hair Care

Structurally, vitamin E is made of eight different compounds called tocotrienols and tocopherols.

According to a 2010 study, the tocotrienols found in vitamin E contained powerful antioxidants that reduced lipid oxidation and oxidative stress in the scalp, which can help improve hair growth³. The study found that oral supplementation was best for promoting hair growth, as nutritional deficiencies and oxidative stress were the main causes of hair loss.

Vitamin E can also help condition the hair from root to shaft as well as making it shinier. It may also help prevent premature graying and split ends due to its high antioxidant content.

Vitamin E is one of the best foods and nutrients for healthy, strong and shiny hair, but you can also use vitamin E topically – mix together the contents of two vitamin E capsules with two tablespoons of oil, such as warm coconut or olive oil. Then massage the mixture into the scalp and let it sit for 30 minutes. Wash out the mixture as usual. This can be repeated once or twice per week.

Vitamin E Benefits for Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease and Other Diseases

According to a research published in Acta Vitaminol Enzymol, patients with high levels of vitamin E in their blood have lower risks of death from ischemic heart disease and cancer as well as a lower incidence of infections and breast cancer⁴.

The study also found that vitamin E prevented or reversed neurological symptoms when given to children under the age of 3 with liver disease.

The study also found that vitamin E was also useful for the prevention of retina disease and nerve disease associated with cystic fibrosis⁴. Vitamin E can be used to increase hemoglobin levels and decrease the number of sickle cells in those with sickle-cell anemia (a red blood cell disorder). It may also be useful in improving blood circulation⁴.

A study published in the Alternative Medicine Review stated that vitamin E supplementation in the amount of 400 IR or more per day may be beneficial for patients at risk for or who have already been diagnosed with coronary artery disease. Supplementing with vitamin E may also prevent vascular diseases⁵.

The study showed that vitamin E is a potent antioxidant and its consumption resulted in a 77% reduction in nonfatal heart attack.

How To Use Vitamin E

Vitamin E can be applied to the skin, hair or nails topically in the form of oil or the liquid from vitamin E capsules (or softgel).

If you consider taking vitamin E supplement, always consult with your doctor to make sure you don’t exceed the recommended dosage, and be sure to store your vitamin E supplements in a cool, dry place as they can become rancid.

It should be mentioned that according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, it is recommended to get vitamin E mostly from food rather than supplements. According to Mayo Clinic, most people in the United States obtain vitamin E from the diet, although people with very low-fat diets or intestine disorders may need supplementation.

Also because vitamin E is fat soluble, it is best absorbed into the blood stream when eaten with a meal that contains some fat.

As I mentioned previously, good sources of vitamin E include cold-pressed plant oils, nuts, sunflower seeds, eggs, dark leafy greens, avocados and wheat germ.

Vitamin E – Precautions

Vitamin E supplement may interact with certain drugs and increase the risk of bleeding, especially if you are taking blood-thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin, so be sure to tell your doctor if you consider taking vitamin E supplements.

Read my other related articles:
1. How to Use Argan Oil for Great Hair and Skin
2. How to Use Rice Water for Gorgeous Hair and Skin
3. How to Use Rosehip Oil for Your Face, Skin and Hair
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