Vitamin E, we couldn’t be more nuts for you!
Last time we shined the spotlight on an impressive ingredient, it was for vitamin C, a powerful and popular antioxidant. But today, we're shifting the focus onto another age-old facial favorite. From providing hydration to lightening dark spots, get ready to know all the benefits of vitamin E for skin!
What is Vitamin E?
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that comes in multiple forms but synthetic tocopheryl acetate is often the type of vitamin E that you’ll find in the ingredient lists of many topical serums and moisturizers, and even digestive supplements that contain this antioxidant. And the reason D-alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E’s natural form) isn’t as commonly used in skincare and other beauty products is due to its hefty price tag and lengthier pesticide removal process.
Ready to dive into the benefits of vitamin E for skin?
Benefits of Vitamin E for Skin
Moisturizes + Hydrates
Moisturized and hydrated skin? That’s what we like to see!
Because vitamin E is fat-soluble, it’s able to penetrate deep into the layers of your skin, providing it with the moisture your skin needs to remain soft and supple. And for those with dry skin, vitamin E is great for soothing and healing irritation or inflammation. To seal in moisture, this nourishing nutrient works hard to close any cracks in the skin, which in turn helps restore and strengthen the outermost layer of your skin (AKA your skin barrier).
Prevents Skin Damage
Another skin benefit of vitamin E is that it’s a natural sun protectant! When paired with sunscreen, this antioxidant works even better at shielding your skin from harmful rays and neutralizing other environmental stressors like air pollution. Vitamin E also helps prevent the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin, all of which, by the way, can be caused by frequent UV exposure… so take it easy on the sunbathing, folks!
Lightens Dark Spots
Do you ever look at your spots and say…?
If so, vitamin E is about to become your new BFF. When applied topically, vitamin E works to slough off dead and damaged skin cells to make way for new skin cells. It also works to prevent further hyperpigmentation (dark patches caused by too much pigment) from forming. However, vitamin E can only do so much on its own for lightening dark spots. For more effective results, pair vitamin E with its pal, vitamin C. You won’t be disappointed!
Foods Rich in Vitamin E
Although many people think nuts and seeds are the best source of vitamin E, there are so many fruits and veggies that are jampacked with this essential nutrient, too! Below are some of our faves!
Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds are what your skin needs!
Did you know that sunflower seeds are the best whole food source of vitamin E?! They’re also high in selenium, which, like vitamin E, functions as an antioxidant to protect skin against free radical damage. It also doesn’t hurt that this skin-perfecting snack is packed with essential fatty acids like oleic and linolenic, which promote the formation of collagen and elastin, two important skin proteins.
Spinach
Now we know why Popeye ate so much spinach…
Like sunflower seeds, spinach is high in many essential nutrients such as vitamin A, C, K, and you guessed it… vitamin E! All these vitamins in spinach work together to help keep your skin radiant, reduce inflammation, heal scars, lighten dark marks, protect from free radical damage, and strengthen the skin’s outermost layer. A true skincare all-star!
Avocados
Holy guacamole! Not only do avocados taste yummy, but they also do a whole lot for skin.
Avocados contain an abundance of healthy fats and are high in both vitamin E and C (one of our fave nutrient duos). The fats and vitamins in avocados can help speed up skin cell renewal, which is beneficial for conditions such as acne and eczema, protect skin from oxidative damage, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They can also increase skin elasticity, due to a carotenoid called lutein and help reduce redness and inflammation thanks to their oleic acid and chlorophyll content. If you’re digging what this superfruit can do for your skin, check out some awesome DIY avocado masks here.
Side Effects of Vitamin E
Topical vitamin E is generally safe for most skin types but if you have sensitive skin, this antioxidant may not be the right fit for you. But for those with sensitive skin, do know that most beauty products that contain vitamin E are low in concentration. With that being said, the best thing to do is to test patch any vitamin E serum or moisturizer (and any new product for that matter) and be on the lookout for any reactions such as redness and itchiness.
And if you’re prone to developing acne, it’s best to choose a vitamin E product that’s light and water-based and not one that’s heavy and oil-based. Unsure what your skin type is? Have a look at our guide to the six different types of skin here.
The Best MOZ Products with Vitamin E
Not only do our Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C serums contain vitamin C, but they contain vitamin E, too! If you want a recap of how they can benefit your skin, click here! And if both products happen to interest you, don’t forget that they conveniently come in a set. What an awesome gift they’d be to receive during the holiday season…
And if your facial hair needs a lil’ extra TLC, we’ve got the perfect hydrating pal for you! Our Natural Argan Hair Oil, formulated with vitamin E, helps seal in moisture, prevent breakage, and deter free radicals from forming. It also nourishes hair, helps repair split ends, and increases the natural shine in hair for a healthier appearance while hydrating the skin beneath the beard.
And that's it for today, pals! We hope you enjoyed learning the benefits of vitamin E for skin! Join us next time for a look into witch hazel, another impressive skincare ingredient. Catch ya on the flip side!