Q: Where Does Vitamin E Come From
A: Much of Vitamin E comes from oils like a germ, safflower, sunflower, corn, and soybean oils. There are also a number of seeds and nuts that contain good amounts of Vitamin E. It is also found in green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli. In addition, some manufacturers add Vitamin E to foods for healthy skin such as breakfast cereals and margarine.
What Are The Risks Of Taking Vitamin E
The risks and benefits of taking vitamin E are still unclear. Research has linked the use of vitamin E to an increase in hemorrhagic stroke.
In addition, an analysis of clinical trials found patients who took either synthetic vitamin E or natural vitamin E in doses of 400 IU per day — or higher — had an increased risk of dying from all causes, which seems to increase even more at higher doses. Cardiovascular studies also suggest that patients with diabetes or cardiovascular disease who take natural vitamin E at 400 IU per day have an increased risk of heart failure and heart failure-related hospitalization.
Vitamin E supplements might be harmful when taken in early pregnancy. One study found that women who took vitamin E supplementation during the first 8 weeks of pregnancy had a 1.7 to nine-fold increase in congenital heart defects. The exact amount of vitamin E supplements used by pregnant women in this study is unknown.
A large population study showed that men using a multivitamin more than seven times per week in conjunction with a separate vitamin E supplement actually had a significantly increased risk of developing prostate cancer.
The American Heart Association recommends obtaining antioxidants, including vitamin E, by eating a well-balanced diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains rather than from supplements. If you are considering taking a vitamin E supplement, talk to your health care provider first to see if it is right for you.
Show Sources
Vitamin E Precautions And Safety
Vitamin E isnt an effective remedy for everyone. If you experience frequent breakouts or have pores that clog easily, applying topical vitamin E oil could aggravate your symptoms.
Taking oral vitamin E supplements for a short duration is safe for most people, but taking them for over a year can cause vitamin E to accumulate inside of your body. Too much vitamin E in your bloodstream can result in a reduced platelet count and blood thinning.
If you take blood thinners or if you have a bleeding disorder, speak with your doctor before starting vitamin E oral supplements.
Read Also: How To Tell If You Have A Vitamin Deficiency
Benefits Of Vitamin E For Your Skin
If you have been using any type of cosmetics in the past year or so, you may be surprised at the many benefits of vitamin E for your skin. If you pay close attention to your favorite moisturizers or even some of the other topical skin creams in your arsenal, chances are that vitamin E is present in at least some of them as well. So, why does it get so little love in the beauty world? Here are some of the reasons why.
The reason why many people do not care for vitamin E as much as they should is because of its propensity for drying out the skin. A good example of this is when you use some moisturizer or lotion and leave it on your skin for an extended period of time, the ingredients in it can literally dry out the area and the skin may become dry and cracked, which is something you do not want to happen if you are trying to preserve the moisture in your skin and keep it looking healthy and young. The best way to avoid this, naturally, is to use a product with a low SPF, especially when you are dealing with sensitive skin.
Many people use moisturizers containing parabens, a chemical that has been linked to cancer, and the levels can actually be toxic for those with a predisposition to cancer. When you use products that are rich in vitamin E, you are giving your skin all the nutrients it needs, and you are preventing some of those toxins from doing their damage.
Topical Vitamin E In Dermatology
Topical vitamin E has emerged as a popular treatment for a number of skin disorders owing to its antioxidant properties. It has been seen that reactive oxygen species have the ability to alter the biosynthesis of collagen and glycosaminoglycans in skin. Most of the over-the-counter antiaging creams contain 0.5%1% of vitamin E.
One of the most popular applications of vitamin E is the treatment of burns, surgical scars, and wounds. However, studies looking at the efficacy of vitamin E in the treatment of burns and scars have been disappointing.
Topical vitamin E has also been found to be effective in granuloma annulare. Vitamin E is one of the ingredients in over-the-counter treatments of skin aging. Topical application of the gel containing 2% phytonadione, 0.1% retinol, 0.1% vitamin C, and 0.1% vitamin E has been seen to be fairly or moderately effective in reducing dark under-eye circles, especially in cases of hemostasis.
Recommended Reading: Does Vitamin C Prevent Pregnancy
Where To Find Vitamin E For Your Skin Care Needs
If you’re looking for how to find vitamin E for skin care, then this article will have you well on your way. It’s one of the most common ingredients used in lotions and creams, so you’ll be sure to find information about it in various places.
Vitamin E was first discovered by accident and in fact, this chemical has been around since the 1920s when scientists at a company called Lederle came up with an interesting idea. They had noticed that a lotion containing vitamin E and selenium had a few benefits over the lotions and creams available at the time.
The reason is that they were able to penetrate the skin better and make it stronger, which are the things that are really important if you’re interested in looking after your skin. Vitamin E has even more benefits, and it’s the reason why you see some people using it for treating burns and wounds.
You can get good information on where to find vitamin E for skin care by visiting the websites of the various manufacturers. Lederle is a good brand to start with, as their products tend to contain a lot of the chemical.
There are also other products out there that may contain vitamin E as well. You might not find it in their creams and lotions, but you can get them from other cosmetic companies. Just make sure that the website you visit has a good rating and a complete list of what they sell.
How To Include Vitamin E In Your Diet
You can find Vitamin E in a variety of foods, including vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and leafy greens. Nuts and seeds are especially good sources of Vitamin E, so try adding a handful of almonds to your next salad or snacking on sunflower seeds as a healthy snack. Leafy greens such as spinach and Swiss chard are also good sources of Vitamin E, so make sure to include them in your diet. By adding these foods to your diet, you can make sure that youre getting the Vitamin E you need for good health.
You can also take vitamin E supplements, but its important not to take too much as this can be harmful. The recommended daily allowance for adults is 15 milligrams . If youre taking a supplement, make sure it doesnt contain more than this. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, so its best absorbed into the body when taken with food. Its also important to remember that while vitamin E has many health benefits, its not a cure-all. Be sure to eat a balanced diet and get regular exercise for overall good health.
A few things you should keep in mind when using vitamin E on your skin:
Aloe Vera Hydrating Gel with Vitamin E Melaleuca
Also Check: What Is Vitamin C Serum Good For Skin
Vitamin E To Get Antioxidant Benefits
As an antioxidant, vitamin E can help with skin diseases like eczema, and it can also address yellowing nails, psoriasis, and certain types of ulcers.
Vitamin E is also effective in healing scars and reducing the appearance of scars, although theres not much data on vitamin E oil itself in this application.
Vitamin E can treat Subcorneal pustular dermatoses, cutaneous amyloidosis, Hailey-Hailey disease, epidermolysis bullosa, psoriasis, cutaneous ulcers and scleroderma.
Vitamin E And Skin Health
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it ideal as a skin treatment. It can repair damage to the sensitive skin, lessen swelling, moisturize, and it has anti-aging properties. It can also provide protection from the effects of the suns rays. There are 8 different forms of vitamin E for skin, which is also referred to as tocopherol.
Human beings derive their Vitamin E from food, and we generally take in enough each day to be adequate. It can come from foods like spinach, nuts, whole grains, sunflower oil, olive oil, salmon, and green vegetables. Its important to prevent Vitamin E deficiency, as it can lead to health problems like muscle and nerve damage.
Evans and Bishop discovered Vitamin E in 1922 and others named it tocopherol in 1936. Its been a staple ingredient in skin care products for at least 50 years, particularly in anti-aging products, because many people swear by its positive effects.
Read Also: What Are Some Vitamins That Give You Energy
How Much Vitamin E Oil For Face Is Recommended
National Institutes of Health recommends oral consumption of 15 mg of Vitamin E every day both for teenagers and adults.. There is no data available for the facial application of vitamin E oil. However, most anti-ageing cream that has Vitamin E oil only uses .05 to 1 % concentration of the oil.
Wrapping Up
Vitamin E oil can be the new bestie for your skin. It has a diverse range of benefits to offer if incorporated into your regular skincare regimen. If you are new to vitamin E oil, above mentioned steps of oil application and tips would be highly useful for you. Also, go slow with your vitamin E oil experiment and do not forget the patch test before the actual application. Remember, precaution is always better than the cure.
Interactions With Vitamin E
Vitamin E can interfere with the ability of your platelets to form clots. For this reason, people with clotting issues should seek medical advice from their healthcare provider before taking vitamin E.
Taking it before surgery, for example, could increase your risk of bleeding during and after the procedure. Similarly, if you have clotting difficulties or are taking blood thinners , you should use caution with vitamin E supplements as they can increase your risk of bleeding .
Read Also: Can I Use Vitamin C And Hyaluronic Acid Together
Natural Sources Of Vitamin E
Vitamin E is found in a variety of good-for-you foods. The FDA recommends that adults get about 15mg of vitamin E daily. If you eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet, you’re probably already getting a lot of vitamin E!
Here are some rich sources of vitamin E, according to the National Institutes of Health:
-
1 tablespoon of wheat germ oil, 100% of your daily value
-
1 ounce of dry roasted sunflower seeds, 37% DV
-
1 ounce of dry roasted almonds, 34% DV
-
2 tablespoons of peanut butter, 15% DV
-
½ cup of boiled spinach, 10% DV
-
½ cup of boiled broccoli, 10% DV
You can also find vitamin E in fortified foods like cereal or juice. Nothing on the list look appealing? Ask your doctor if they can recommend a daily vitamin E supplement.
Preventing Aging And Wrinkles On Your Face
Vitamin E is high in antioxidants, and it affects blood circulation. That might be why people notice a difference in the firmness and structure of their skin after topical use of vitamin E oil.
A tells us that vitamin E and other natural ingredients rich in antioxidants are generally accepted as a treatment for delaying wrinkles, also called photoaging.
Also Check: Are Alive Women’s Vitamins Good For You
How To Use Vitamin E
There are two ways to apply vitamin E onto the skin, using pure vitamin E oil or products formulated with vitamin E. However, layering oil can be a tricky task if you have multiple products in one regimen. The suggested procedure, if you want to use pure vitamin E oil, is to layer the oil after a cream product . Since vitamin E is oil-soluble, it will be able to penetrate through the cream and help lock in the moisture. It is worth noting that oil is generally heavier and thus might feel too heavy and greasy for an AM routine, especially if you want to top it off with makeup.
Dr. Ciraldo recommends applying vitamin E-formulated serums or creams onto the face and vitamin E oil for the other parts of the body, such as the legs or arms. Fellow board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, David Kim, M.D.,addressed Allure that those with oily or acne-prone skin should be cautious with vitamin E oil, as it can potentially exacerbate breakouts. It’s better to apply products containing vitamin E to minimize the potential of clogged pores.
Discover Our Vitamin E Skincare
Want to try vitamin E for yourself? Youll find it in our bestselling Vitamin E skincare, an easy and effective range for all skin types. Our iconic Vitamin E Moisture Cream has been around since the 1970s chances are, youll know someone who loves it. The Moisture Cream is enriched with vitamin E as well as hyaluronic acid, which works hard to keep skin feeling plumped and hydrated.
Also Check: What Vitamins Do I Need
Should You Use Vitamin E Oil For Your Skin
Studies have simply concluded that while the benefits of vitamin E oil for skin health exist, the ideal dosage information and other factors for topical vitamin E havent been established mainly due to a lack of controlled clinical trials providing some agreed-upon parameters.
The complete answer to whether or not you should use vitamin E oil for your skin involves a more personal look at your skin needs.
Your dry skin or acne-prone skin may require different support, and while vitamin E oil is generally good for your skin, it may not be the exact thing your skin actually needs.
Your skin might have acne for reasons related to hormones, for example, and it might show signs of aging due to issues unrelated to vitamin E.
For best results for your personal skin health its best to consult with a healthcare professional.
May Protect Lipid Barrier And Lock In Moisture
One of the primary functions of our skin is to act as a barrier to the outside world. Like many other types of cells in your body, your skin cells have lipid membranes. One of the ways free radicals cause cellular damage is by breaking down the lipid membrane on your cells. The lipid membranes on the outermost layer of skin lock in moisture, stopping you from unnecessarily losing water and electrolytes. Vitamin E may help prevent the breakdown of this layer and heal cellular damage already done by free radicals .
You May Like: Is Vitamin C Good For Your Liver
How To Use Vitamin E On Your Face
Vitamin E is best used as a key ingredient in your natural skin care products. Fleur & Bees vitamin C serum, moisturizer, eye cream, and detox mask all contain vitamin E.
You can also use vitamin E oil on face as a moisturizer or makeup remover. Be sure to store it in a cool, dry place. Vitamin E can be purchased in bottles on its own or as capsules that can be broken open and applied to skin.
To use as a makeup remover, just apply it to a cotton ball or soft cloth and swipe your makeup off. As a moisturizer, use it in a skin care routine along with the following products:
Minimizes Scars & Hyperpigmentation
Nobody wants scars to blemish their skin. Vitamin E oil can be used to reduce scarring thanks to its moisturizing properties. Research shows that well-moisturized skin is less susceptible to scarring, so if youve recently cut yourself, apply the oil before scarring occurs. Over time, it can also reduce the appearance of scars and even hyperpigmentation.
On its own, vitamin E oil can moderately reduce the appearance of dark spots of melasma or hyperpigmentation. Paired with vitamin C, it becomes a powerhouse. You can find many cult-favorite skincare products that contain both vitamins to reduce the effects of hyperpigmentation.
Read Also: Where Is The Cheapest Place To Buy Vitamins
Worried About Dark Circles Under Eyes Due To Extended Screentime Note These Tips
1) Vitamin E helps prevent signs of ageing: pollution, smoke, and impurities destroy collagen in your skin and this leads to the formation of wrinkles, early ageing, and dullness. Hence it is important to search for a good Vitamin E cream to help protect your skin. Vitamin E protects the skin from damage from external factors.
2) It absorbs UVB light – Vitamin E forms a protective layer on the skin thereby preventing skin from harsh UVB light that causes ageing of the skin. The combination of Vitamins C and E together work wonders with your SPF and gives an excellent effect on your skin.
3) It moisturizes – Vitamin E is a great moisturizer, it helps skin maintain its health by keeping it repaired and rejuvenated. Vitamin E in moisturizers has antioxidants and helps to fight inflammation.
4) Works on visibly reducing scars – pollution and stress make it harder for scars to heal. Protecting from pollution and impurities Vitamin E doubles up by helping with the process of healing scars.
5) It helps in reducing acne – one must find the right formula of ingredients that helps with acne problems. A lightweight Vitamin E cream is recommended to keep acne at bay.
From where does the skin get a good dose of Vitamin E?
Also, look for products that are chemical-free and made with natural ingredients, this reduces the chance of damaging the skin and will result in a long-lasting effect.
