Vitamin E Oil Delivers Intensive Moisture to Dry Skin—Here’s Why Dermatologists Love It

Vitamin E is by no means new in the cosmetics industry. Once upon a time, it seemed like every teen magazine touted the ingredient as the solution to treating breakouts and healing acne scars. Additionally, the oil has been praised for its hydrating, antioxidant, and protective properties for skin and damage-repairing effects on hair. While we’re all for trying the latest and greatest products, there’s something to be said for sticking with old favorites.

For a quick recap of what vitamin E oil can do for your skin and how to incorporate it into your current beauty routine, we spoke with board-certified dermatologists Jennifer L. MacGregor, MD, Raymond Schep, MD, Lamees Hamdan, MD, and celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau.

Read on to learn more about this dry-skin-saving ingredient.

Meet the Experts

Jennifer L. MacGregor, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City.

Raymond Schep, MD, is the chief chemist at Colonial Dames Co. and a member of the California Association of Toxicologists.

Renée Rouleau is a renowned esthetician and founder of Renée Rouleau Skincare.

Lamees Hamdan, MD, is the CEO and founder of Shiffa.

What is Vitamin E?

“Vitamin E is an antioxidant vitamin and oil,” says McGregor. “It is often found in topical antioxidant blends or moisturizers.” In skincare products, vitamin E is usually found in oil or cream form.

Alpha-tocopherol (the form of vitamin E that humans can metabolize) is usually produced synthetically, but it is also found in natural products. Avocado, pumpkin, and wheat germ oils are all excellent sources of the vitamin, both for topical and internal use. 1

Vitamin E

Ingredient Type: Barrier Enhancer

Main Benefits: Locks in moisture, smoothes skin, antioxidant

Who should use it: Generally, anyone with dry skin. Vitamin E is not recommended for sensitive skin.

How often can you use it? : You should use vitamin E no more than once a day, preferably at night, as it’s often too thick to apply under makeup.

For: Vitamin C and ferulic acid

Do not use with: Retinol/Vitamin A2

Also, the form of vitamin E you get is important: “Synthetic vitamin E is made up of eight different forms, only one of which is identical to the natural molecule. “As a result, studies have shown that natural vitamin E is at least twice as potent as synthetic vitamin E,” explains Schep. “It’s also used in cosmetics as tocopheryl acetate. [Since] natural D-alpha-tocopherol is about eight times more expensive than synthetic vitamin E, the synthetic form is often used in cosmetics, especially in high-potency products. Additionally, natural vitamin E must go through multiple processing steps to remove pesticides and herbicides, all of which may not be completely removed. Synthetic vitamin E does not have this disadvantage.”

Benefits of Vitamin E for Dry Skin

Protects the lipid barrier: “Vitamin E keeps the lipids in the skin fresh,” explains Rouleau. “This helps keep the skin’s protective barrier intact.” [Keeping them intact] can help seal small breaks in the skin barrier that allow moisture to escape, making the skin feel tight and dry. ”

Keep skin moisturized: Additionally, vitamin E can hold moisture between skin cells for much longer than products without vitamin E.2 According to Rouleau, it moisturizes for up to 16 hours.

Heal skin: Schep explains why vitamin E is so popular: “The main benefit of vitamin E is its ability to speed up the healing of skin injuries, such as burns and wounds, by up to 50 percent. It’s an antioxidant, which can heal the skin after sunburn and any form of irritation and injury. It also increases the moisture content of the skin. Therefore, it has an anti-aging effect on the skin.”

It’s an antioxidant: Vitamin E also has antioxidant (fat-soluble) benefits—it helps neutralize harmful free radicals and, due to its antioxidant effects, can prevent sebum (oil) from oxidizing, which can prevent blackheads.2 “The word ‘anti’ means antioxidant,” Rouleau points out. “When the hardened and clogged oil tops in pores turn dark due to oxidation, vitamin E can help slow this process.”

Soothes skin: Formulas with vitamin E pamper skin that’s been stressed by environmental stress. 2 The ingredient smooths skin and leaves it feeling comfortable after irritation caused by acne, pollution, and sun damage.

Sunscreen: Vitamin E also has photoprotective properties. 3 “When vitamin E is combined with vitamin C and used under sunscreen, it can provide four times more protection than sunscreen alone,” says Rouleau.

Possible side effects of vitamin E

“When vitamin E is applied directly to the skin in pure form in capsule form, it can cause a dermatitis-like reaction, especially in areas where the skin is thinner and more sensitive, such as the skin around the eyes,” warns Rouleau. If you’ve ever had dermatitis (the technical term for skin inflammation) caused by a skincare product, you know it’s not a good idea to use a patch to treat the dermatitis in that area without first testing it before applying.

Vitamin E is also considered comedogenic, meaning it can clog pores and eventually lead to acne. Therefore, it may cause worsening symptoms in those who are prone to acne and pimples. If you notice any changes in your skin after using vitamin E, consult a trusted dermatologist.

Oral supplements vs. topical vitamin E

Vitamin E is naturally found in a variety of foods, and although we need more as we age, most people don’t need to supplement. Topical vitamin E is found in many skin care products and is not only a safer alternative, but also suitable for spot treatments on specific skin areas. Some people prefer to extract the vitamin E from a supplement capsule and apply it directly to the skin for a high concentration, but this can cause allergies and lead to unwanted side effects such as irritation. If you are considering taking an oral supplement, talk to your doctor first, as vitamin E can interfere with the effects of medications.

Application

“If you want to treat a specific scar or area, open a vitamin E capsule and apply the oil to the area for a few weeks,” Hamdan advises. “It’s an excellent antioxidant, and its ability to prevent premature aging has been extensively studied. That’s one reason why I prefer vitamin E as part of an oil rather than pure vitamin E, which is usually the alpha-tocopherol version of vitamin E. If you have sensitive skin, you can still use it—just a small amount and pat it in gently. If you get a rash or redness, that may be a sign that your skin isn’t used to it.”

As for concerns about comedogenicity, “It’s important to note that vitamin E concentrations in skincare formulas are very low,” says Rouleau. This method of use is a far cry from opening a capsule and using the ingredient in its pure form. “It may have been diluted enough that it wouldn’t be a problem.

However, when looking at a product’s ingredient list, it’s hard to know the purity level or how your skin will react to it. But this applies to every ingredient used in every product. Rouleau says it’s best to do a patch test when buying a new product.

Final Verdict

Vitamin E oil is a powerful antioxidant found in skin care and beauty products. It can help fight the effects of free radicals, which can cause skin aging and damage. Vitamin E also has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe and calm the skin, helping to treat conditions like acne and dryness. Additionally, it can help lock in moisture and keep the skin hydrated, which helps boost the skin’s natural barrier function. If you want to reap the benefits of vitamin E for your skin, it’s best to apply it topically. Vitamin E can clog pores and trigger breakouts, especially for people with acne-prone skin. If you notice changes in your skin after using vitamin E, consult a dermatologist.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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