Exploring the Benefits of Vitamin E for Skin

In this article: Is vitamin E good for skin?
Does vitamin E remove dark spots?
Vitamin E and vitamin C combined
Does vitamin E help clear skin?
What about vitamin E on scars?
Different types of vitamin E in skin care
How to use vitamin E for skin
Can you use vitamin E on your skin every day?

The world of skin care frequently changes, with new ingredients getting much of the attention. Vitamin E doesn’t fall into that category – it’s been a stalwart ingredient for quite some time – but it shouldn’t be overlooked. In fact, vitamin E benefits skin more than you might realise, fighting free-radical damage, boosting the effectiveness of other ingredients and so much more (1).

Let’s explore why you should incorporate topical vitamin E into your daily skin care routine, shall we?

Is vitamin E good for skin?

Vitamin E is a naturally occurring component of healthy skin. It offers significant antioxidant properties to help defend from pollution and other environmental stressors that would otherwise weaken skin, causing unwanted, pro-ageing changes (2,3). In fact, the benefits of vitamin E on skin are numerous!

Certain forms of vitamin E also help soothe skin (4). Unfortunately, with time and sun damage, skin’s natural content of vitamin E decreases, depleting its ability to fight the signs of ageing (5).

So, is there anything you can do about this? The good news is you can replenish skin with topically applied vitamin E and it doesn’t have to be from “special” vitamin E capsules. Chances are, some of your skin care products already contain vitamin E, letting you take advantage of so many benefits, including anti-ageing and moisturising properties (6).

Does vitamin E remove dark spots?

Vitamin E doesn’t remove dark spots on its own, but through its role as an antioxidant, it can prevent oxidative stress than can lead to discolourations (7). However, as we’ve said many times, skin care is much more nuanced than just relying on the power of a single ingredient. Where vitamin E truly shines in this regard is in its ability to enhance the power of other ingredients, especially vitamin C.

Vitamin E and vitamin C combined

Without a doubt, research proves using vitamin E and vitamin C together is great for skin (8). When combined, they can improve the appearance of dark spots, strengthen skin’s defences against the impact of environmental assault and brighten a dull complexion (9, 10).

These antioxidants play well together because water-soluble vitamin C (ascorbic acid) works optimally on the surface level, whereas vitamin E is oil-soluble, so it goes deeper. Using both gets you the best of both worlds. If you want to see the two ingredients tag-team, consider a vitamin C booster featuring vitamin E to noticeably improve uneven skin tone and reduce wrinkles.

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman recommends using “vitamin E and vitamin C in skin care for their enhanced effects to improve the appearance of skin tone, skin texture and fine lines.”

Does vitamin E help clear skin?

Research increasingly shows that vitamin E’s relationship to breakouts is more important than previously established – but not in quite the way you might think.

Studies find that a deficiency in vitamin E in the skin is present in some patients with blemishes (11). While researchers aren’t 100% sure of the correlation - there is some suspicion that the reduced vitamin E levels can lead to inflammatory processes in the body (12). The findings indicate that using skin care products containing vitamin E can help regulate its levels in skin’s uppermost layers, along with providing its tried-and-true antioxidant protection.

What about vitamin E on scars?

You’ve likely heard anecdotal stories about putting pure vitamin E on scars, but there isn’t sufficient evidence to show that it helps in that regard (13, 14). In fact, some research shows that pure vitamin E can make matters worse, triggering a sensitised reaction (15).

Save vitamin E for its research-supported use in your normal daily skin care routine, rather than follow this old wives’ tale.

Different types of vitamin E in skin care

There are eight basic forms of the vitamin E molecule, and they can be either synthetically or naturally derived. The most typical forms are d-alpha-tocopherol, d-alpha-tocopherol acetate, dl-alpha tocopherol and dl-alpha tocopherol acetate (2).

The “d” prefix indicates that the product was derived from natural sources, such as vegetable oils or wheat germ; whereas the “dl” prefix indicates that the vitamin was created from a synthetic base.

Research has shown that natural forms of vitamin E are more effective than their synthetic counterparts, but both have antioxidant activity (3).

You’ll most commonly find vitamin E listed as tocopherol or tocopheryl acetate on an ingredient list, which doesn’t indicate whether it’s naturally or synthetically derived, but you can contact the company to find out if you’re curious. Note that when “tocopherol” is listed, you’re getting a blend of the different forms of this vitamin, alpha-tocopherol, beta-tocopherol, delta-tocopherol and/or gamma-tocopherol.

How to use vitamin E for skin

You might wonder just how to incorporate vitamin E into your skin care routine. Outside of topical application, one very popular method is oral supplementation.

So, does taking vitamin E make your skin glow? Studies have found that taking vitamin E orally can improve overall skin health and even improve the look of some skin issues caused by inflammation (10). While everyone’s definition of “glow” might not be the same, we’d have to say that healthy skin is glowing skin!

Using topical vitamin E in your skin care routine couldn’t be easier. Paula’s Choice Skincare offers a variety of different vitamin E products, so you can pick which texture is right for you. From facial oils to serums and moisturisers to masks, there’s something for everyone and every skin care routine.

Can you use vitamin E on your skin every day?

Here’s the short and sweet answer: yes! You can absolutely use vitamin E on skin every day. Since it’s a natural component of healthy skin, it has a lot to offer every skin type, even skin that’s sensitive or prone to redness. We invite you to select your favourite vitamin E product and see its benefits right before your eyes!

Learn more about skin care ingredients.

References for this information:

1. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, March 2022, pages S27-S37
2. Vitamin E in Health and Disease: Interactions, Diseases and Health Aspects, 2021, Edited by Pinar Erkekoglu and Julia Scherer Santos, Intech Open, pages 61-67
3. Indian Dermatology Online Journal, July-August 2016, pages 311–315
4. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, June 2010, pages 7013–7020
5. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, November 2001, pages 1212–1217
6. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, November 2020, pages 3,067-3,076
7. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, July 2023, pages 1-5
8. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, March 2020, pages 671-676
9. International Journal of Dermatology, February 2021, pages 166-173
10. Nutrients, January 2021, pages 1-31
11. PLOS One, December 2021, pages 1-17
12. F1000 Research, July 2020, pages 1-8
13. Dermatologic Surgery, December 2020, pages 1564-1571
14. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, September 2016, pages 959–965
15. Molecular Aspects of Medicine, October–December 2007, pages 646-667