It’s not just your insides that need a good balance of vitamins -- your outer layer does too. Vitamin E is one of the most important ingredients for healthy skin. While the body releases some vitamin E into the skin through natural oils, or sebum, you can increase your intake by consuming more vegetable oils, nuts and green vegetables. But eating the right foods doesn’t necessarily mean your skin gets all the vitamin E it needs -- creams can provide specific forms of the vitamin not found in food. Sunlight generates wrinkle-causing free radicals, but applying a vitamin E cream can boost the skin’s natural defenses against harmful ultra-violet light. It protects against damage by both blocking and absorbing the UV rays; vitamin E is thought to provide more protection against UVB than against UVA rays, so the cream shouldn’t be relied on as a sunscreen by itself. Medical studies have found creams that combine vitamin E with vitamin C have a greater ability to prevent sunburn.
The world is full of damaging free radicals, and sunlight is just one of them. In addition to premature wrinkling caused by sun exposure, free radicals in pollution can reduce the skin’s natural levels of vitamin E, making it more susceptible to wrinkles. Smokers are bombarded by these damaging substances from both inside and out -- cigarettes cause the body to produce free radicals and the smoke itself is packed with them. Moisturize with a face cream containing vitamin E, and you can harness its anti-oxidant properties to help protect against each of these types of potentially aging free radicals. It’s also thought that cream containing the alpha-Tocopherol form of vitamin E may reduce the depth of existing wrinkles and shorten facial lines. In spite of sunscreen diligence, sunburns are sometimes unavoidable. Harness the healing power of vitamin E by gently smoothing a cream containing vitamin E acetate over the sore areas. This specific type of the vitamin can reduce redness, sensitivity and swelling.
One study has shown vitamin E cream can still soothe skin even when applied up to 8 hours after getting sunburned. Store the cream in the fridge for an added cooling sensation on irritated skin. Limit razor burn and irritation by using a shaving cream containing vitamin E. When you’re removing hair from sensitive skin areas, like the underarms or the bikini line, there’s an increased chance of sore, post-shaving redness. Soothe the rash with a cream containing vitamin E, which can act as an anti-inflammatory. Men who suffer from razor burn can get the same relief from a vitamin E cream to calm the skin and reduce redness on the chin and neck. Can You Improve Skin Tone With Vitamin E Oil? Benefits of Vitamin E Oil for Skin Homemade Vitamin E Oil Lotion The Safety of Vitamin E Oil in Pregnancy Does Vitamin E Skin Oil Have Side Effects? Does Rubbing Vitamin E on the Face Help Wrinkles? What Are the Benefits of Using Vitamin E on the Face? How to Rub Vitamin E on the Scalp to Promote Hair Growth
How to Heal Hair With Vitamin E What Does Vitamin A Cream Do? How to Apply Vitamin E From Capsules Directly to the Skin What Does Vitamin E Do for the Body? Vitamin E and Skin Reaction Side Effects of a Vitamin E Supplement Vitamin E Oil for Burns Daily Dose: The Vitamins You Should or Shouldn't Be Taking Benefits of Vitamin E Capsules How Effective Is Vitamin E for Acne Scars? How to Rub Vitamin E on the Skin Which Fruits Give You Vitamin E?The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.Avoid in people with known allergy or sensitivity to products that contain vitamin E. Skin reactions, including inflammation or itching, have been reported with vitamin E applied to the skin.
Vitamin E is likely safe when used in healthy adults at doses commonly found in food, and in healthy people over 65 at doses up to 800 IU taken by mouth daily for up to four months. Vitamin E is possibly safe in people with diabetes or those using agents that lower blood sugar. Vitamin E may cause allergic skin reactions (inflammation or itching), blurred vision, changes in cholesterol levels, changes in insulin resistance, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, headache, heart conditions, increased risk of death, increased risk of fainting or falls, increased risk of heart failure, increased risk of high blood pressure in pregnancy, increased risk of stroke, increased risk of tuberculosis, kidney dysfunction, nausea, severe response to infection (in preterm babies), sexual dysfunction, stomach pain, vision loss, and weakness. Use cautiously in smokers and in people with Alzheimer's disease or mental decline, eye damage, kidney problems, heart conditions, and skin conditions.
Use cautiously in preterm babies. Use cautiously when using long-term (more than 10 years). Vitamin E may increase the risk of bleeding. Avoid in people with bleeding disorders or taking drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding. Avoid using high doses by mouth or high doses injected into the vein. Avoid using high doses in pregnant women, due to the risk of heart problems in the baby. Avoid in people with known allergy or sensitivity to products that contain vitamin E. Many prenatal vitamins contain small amounts of vitamin E. Natural forms of vitamin E may be preferred to man-made forms. Use cautiously in preterm babies. Avoid using high doses in pregnant women, due to the risk of heart problems in the baby. This evidence-based monograph was prepared by The Natural Standard Research CollaborationVitamin E is a type of antioxidant found naturally in certain nuts, seeds, oils and vegetables. Vitamin E oil is available as a topical treatment, oral capsule or softgel.
During pregnancy, women need 15 mg vitamin E daily to keep their bodies healthy. Expectant mothers may also apply vitamin E oil directly to their skin to help prevent pregnancy-related stretch marks. Discuss the safety of vitamin E oil in pregnancy with your medical provider before using topical or oral preparations of vitamin E oil. In a February 2009 study published in "BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology," Dr. Steegers-Theunissen and colleagues reported that women who consumed high doses of vitamin E during early pregnancy were at an increased risk of giving birth to infants with congenital heart defects. This risk was greatest amongst pregnant women who both used vitamin E supplements and consumed more than 14.9 mg vitamin E daily as part of their diet. Though congenital heart defects are common -- affecting nearly eight in every 1,000 newborn infants -- heart structure abnormalities may cause breathing rate changes, blue skin discoloration or a failure to thrive in affected infants.
Pregnant women can limit their risk of experiencing this complication by talking with a doctor before taking vitamin E oil supplements to ensure they take the correct dosage. Orally administered vitamin E oil may cause mild side effects during pregnancy. Such side effects are typically associated with high doses of vitamin E and may include fatigue, headache, weakness, rash, blurred vision, nausea or diarrhea. Taking too much vitamin E may also increase your risk of experiencing bleeding or bruising complications. Seek care from your doctor if any of these side effects persist or become severe. Applying vitamin E oil to the skin is generally regarded as safe for use during pregnancy and is not associated with side effects. Infrequently, vitamin E oil may cause a mild to moderate allergic skin reaction called contact dermatitis. The treated skin region may appear inflamed, dry or flaky and may be intensely itchy. If you develop skin irritation after applying vitamin E oil to your skin, stop using this topical treatment and contact your physician.