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Vitamin E is a key ingredient in skincare. But why should you use it? And what does Vitamin E do for your skin? We’re going to dive into the benefits of this popular skincare ingredient, explore ways you can make the most of it, and find out how you can get the best possible results when using vitamin E for skin.
What is Vitamin E?
Vitamin E refers to a group of fat-soluble compounds that function as an antioxidant and contribute to the normal functioning of the human body in areas like reproduction, vision, brain health, blood health, and, as we’ll cover in this article, skin health.
Using Vitamin E in skincare
Since Vitamin E contributes to healthy-looking skin, it’s a common ingredient found in skincare products such as face creams, oils, serums, cleansers, sunscreens, and makeup. So why is it so popular and what are the benefits of using vitamin E for skincare routines?
Vitamin E benefits for skin
There is a lot of clinical and anecdotal evidence that Vitamin E is beneficial for skin health. Below are a few of the common skin benefits commonly associated with Vitamin E. Please note that not all of these benefits are applicable to all skincare products containing Vitamin E, as overall formulas are responsible for any benefits to skin:
1. Helps to protect the skin from photoaging
Vitamin E can help to protect the skin from photoaging symptoms like wrinkles and uneven skin tone, but it is important to note that Vitamin E is not a substitute for sunscreen!
2. May help the skin to retain moisture
Vitamin E is commonly associated with improving skinhydration and acting as a moisturizer. While data on this claim is limited, some studies have shown that topical application of Vitamin E can help improve the skin’s ability to retain moisture. Since Vitamin E is naturally found in skin’s sebum (the oily substance our skinnaturally produces to help keep itself hydrated), those with naturally oily skin typically have skin more rich in Vitamin E.
3. May help support even skin tone
Vitamin E is an ingredient commonly found in anti-aging creams and serums due to its correlation with helping to protect the skin from the effects of photoaging. Certain skincare products containing Vitamin E and other antioxidants like Vitamin C may help contribute to reducing the signs of photoaging in the skin such as fine lines and uneven skin tone.
4. Helps protect the skin from UV exposure
Vitamin E absorbs some of the energy from UVB light – one of the types of UV light which can cause skin damage from the sun. Unfortunately, it does not absorb UVA rays (which also contribute to sun damage) and is therefore not an effective source of sunprotection on its own.
What about Vitamin E helping with wound healing or helping to fade scars?
While claims are widely made regarding the benefits of Vitamin E in scar fading and wound healing, there is actually not enough clinical evidence to support that either of these claims are true, and some studies have even shown the opposite.
The best type of Vitamin E for your face
Since your face is the most exposed part of your body to the elements year-round, helping to protect it from environmental damage is important, and Vitamin E can play a role in that. Tocopherols are the most abundant form of Vitamin E found in the human body and you may see an ingredient labeled this way on cosmetic products. Skincare products for the face containing Vitamin E may label Vitamin E as ‘tocopherol’ or ‘tocotrienol’.
NIVEAskincare with Vitamin E
NIVEA offers several skincare products in formulas enriched with Vitamin E to provide nourishing benefits to your skin.
Versatile skincare with Vitamin E for both body and face
NIVEA Soft is a versatile moisturizing cream enriched with Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E for lasting softness. Appropriate for use on the face, body, and hands, NIVEA Soft intensely moisturizes and leaves skin feeling fresh in a non-greasy, lightweight formula that provides 48-hour hydration. The new and improved vegan formula contains no animal-derived ingredients and is formulated to quickly absorb into the skin. For use with all skin types, including oily, dry, sensitive, and normal skin.
NIVEA offers several skincare products for men, including moisturizers, cleansers, and shaving products containing Vitamin E. NIVEAMENskincare products are dermatologically-tested and many cater to sensitiveskin.
NIVEA Oil Infused Vanilla & Almond Oil Body Lotion provides the nourishment of a body oil in a fast-absorbing, delicately fragrant lotion for silky smooth skin. A natural source of Vitamin E, Almond Oil has been carefully blended in a fast-absorbing lotion that provides 24+ hours of deep moisture with no greasy feeling. This dermatologically-tested, Vitamin E-enriched body lotion visibly transforms dry skin into smooth, radiant-looking skin.
NIVEA Cocoa Butter Body Lotion and 5-in-1 Complete Care is a deeply moisturizing body lotion that provides a healthy-looking glow and 48 hours of noticeably smoother-looking skin thanks to its formula combining DeepCare Serum, Vitamin E, and Cocoa Butter. This moisturizing body lotion soothes and pampers dry skin after just one application. Also available as a body cream.
Embrace an all-in-one makeup remover with this NIVEA no-rinse cleanser and face wash, formulated and dermatologically-tested for normal skin. With a formula containing an Amino Acid Complex enriched with Vitamin E for fresher-feeling skin, NIVEA Refreshing Micellar Water for Normal Skin enables you to cleanse skin with just a few featherlight swipes and helps keep skin refreshed and hydrated.
NIVEA Soothing Care SPF 15 Lip Balm enriched with Vitamin E effectively soothes and protects sensitive, dry and chapped lips leaving them feeling soft and looking healthy. Enriched with Shea Butter and natural Avocado and Jojoba Oils, this lip balm has a pleasantly smooth texture that instantly melts into your lips and keeps them moisturized for 24hours*. It also protects lips against UVA and UVB rays with a formula containing SPF 15. *clinically tested
There are more ways to get Vitamin E into your system than just topical applications. Similarly to Vitamin C, the human body doesn’t produce its own Vitamin E and it must be acquired through food, or, in the case of some people who may have trouble absorbing fat or who are dealing with other health conditions, dietary supplements. Here are some ways you can ensure that you’re getting the proper amount of Vitamin E in your system.
What to eat
Good sources of vitamin E include plant oils, like olive, sunflower, corn, or soybean oil. Nuts and seeds are also excellent sources as well as wheat germ and other cereal grains, dark, leafy green vegetables, avocadoes, eggs, and sweet potatoes.
Vitamin E supplements
Using vitamin E-infused skincare is great, but the rest of your body can benefit from Vitamin E as well. If you are diagnosed with a Vitamin E deficiency, your doctor may advise you to supplement with oral Vitamin E supplements or a combination vitamin containing Vitamin E. Always be sure to consult with a trusted physician before taking any supplements.
Vitamin E facts overview
What it does: Functions as an antioxidant to help contribute to the normal functioning of the human body including skin health.
Application: When used topically, Vitamin E is commonly found as an ingredient in skincare products like creams, serums, oils, and lotions. Vitamin E can also be applied directly to the skin as pureVitamin E oil. Vitamin E is also available in oral supplement form.
Found in: Vitamin E naturally occurs in many common foods and in most people, sufficient Vitamin E levels can be achieved through diet alone. Nuts and seeds are often rich in Vitamin E as well as green, leafy vegetables and fortified grains. The following are just some of many foods that are rich in Vitamin E: wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach, broccoli, soybeans, and mangoes.
Features: An effective fat-soluble antioxidant, Vitamin E supports healthy functioning in the body including the skin, particularly when paired with other antioxidants like Vitamin C, making it a valuable addition to your routine.