What Is Vitamin E And How Does It Help Your Skin
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant, helping protect cells from damage throughout your body. Its found in our sebum , which creates a natural barrier to keep moisture in your skin. So oilier skin surfaces, like the face, contain greater amounts of vitamin E. And since people with oily skin have more sebum, they also have more vitamin E on their skin.
Sebum, along with vitamin E levels, naturally declines with age. Vitamin E is also depleted by ultraviolet light sources like:
- Sunlight.
- Some fluorescent, halogen and incandescent light bulbs.
What Are The Benefits Of Vitamin E For Your Skin
Since vitamin E is both an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory, this vitamin has many different benefits for skin:
- Protecting from discoloration: If you are prone to dark spots or hyperpigmentation, mixing vitamin E into your skincare routine could be beneficial. “The anti-oxidative effects of vitamin E can be preventative to darkening of the skin due to sun exposure,” Burgess says.
- Anti-aging: As an antioxidant, vitamin E also mitigates damage caused by free radicals, which makes it a powerhouse anti-aging ingredient. Burgess explains that vitamin E helps fight “against the oxidative effects of environmental and intrinsic aging.”
- Combating acne: Vitamin E can also help calm acne-prone, reactive skin. “The anti-inflammatory properties may curtail an acne breakout,” Burgess explains. This could also help minimize any discoloration that comes from acne.
Vitamin E Mends Split Ends
Who doesnt enjoy being pampered with beautifully coloured, blow-dried and styled hair! The side-effect is, of course, undesirable split ends. Its easy to simultaneously pamper your scalp and hair with deep oil conditioning massages that help to repair hair cuticles, and mend split ends. Take equal measures of olive oil, coconut oil, vitamin E oil, and any other oil you have like hemp oil mix them together and use for massage with hot oil in order to nourish the scalp. Gently rub it into split ends in to seal them, and prevent further splits.
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What Is Vitamin C
Vitamin C, which also goes by ascorbic acid and L-ascorbic acid, is a vitamin that isnt actually produced by the body. Instead, the only way to get it is through supplements or your diet citrus fruits like oranges are famously rich in vitamin C. And it has vital functions throughout the body. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient in tissue repair and the enzymatic production of various transmitters, says Dr. Patricia Wexler, a dermatologist in New York City.
While you can certainly eat your way to a healthy vitamin C intake, your skin in particular reaps the biggest benefits when its applied topically versus ingested via an oral supplement or your diet, no many how much grapefruit you eat. Topically, its 20 times more potent than the oral intake, says Wexler.
How To Use A Vitamin C Serum And Reap Its Benefits
Saedi says to apply a few drops of serum to your face after you wash and dry it. A little bit goes a really long way, she says. She recommends putting it on every morning, all year round. It has some benefits with sun exposure so it helps to apply in the morning as the first layer of protection, she says. She says to then layer on your moisturizer and sunscreen. Serums are better than adding drops of vitamin C boosters to your moisturizer, Saedi says. They may not be as potent as serums themselves and mixing them with moisturizer may dilute the effects.
Store your bottle in a cool, dark place away from extreme heat, such as a bathroom cabinet as opposed to on your counter. Storing a vitamin C serum correctly is integral to its success, Schlessinger says. A good rule of thumb is to toss the serum six months after its been opened and to keep the serum in a cool, dark place. If youre using it according to the instructions, itll likely be gone before the six months is up. If not, youll want to throw it out. When vitamin C is used past its shelf life, it can actually have negative effects, Schlessinger says. More on that next.
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Can You Leave Vitamin E Oil On Your Face Overnight
Vitamin E promotes smooth skin. If you have dry skin, leaving it on for the whole night is recommended as it does not result in any side effects in most cases.
As an overnight treatment, mix Vitamin E oil with a carrier oil like jojoba oil or coconut oil. A carrier oil will dilute the Vitamin E oil and make sure it stays on the skin. Essential oils like Vitamin E oil evaporate easily and dont stay on the skin for long hours if applied alone.
If you have oily or sensitive skin, leaving Vitamin E oil on for the whole night is not recommended. Wash off the oil 15 minutes after application.
What Does Vitamin C Serum Do For Your Face
Vitamin C serum is both a skin brightening and anti-aging serum. With weeks of consistent use, the serum brightens up scarred skin and dull complexion which could be a result of aging.
This serum absorbs into the skin and inhibits the production of melanin, fading away dark spots.Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects your skin from free radicals.
The protection factor of vitamin C is at its peak during the day when your skin is most exposed to ultraviolet radiation and pollution that can cause the formation of these free radicals.
Additionally, vitamin C serum is an anti-inflammatory agent that protects the skin on your face from the breakout of inflammatory acne and calms skin redness.
Vitamin C also plays a role in reversing aging. It inhibits the degradation of collagen and prevents loss of skin elasticity.
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Caveats When Using A Skin Serum
Powerful ingredients can irritate sensitive skin, says Dr. Asgari. Always test a small area before you apply a skin serum widely. And use caution when combining acid-containing serums with other products that also contain acids. For example, your skin may get irritated if you use a serum with vitamin C and as well as a retinol cream, or if you use a retinol serum along with a prescription retinol cream.
Vitamin E Helps Prevent Wrinkles And Skin Damage
Yup, really. Because vitamin E is a major antioxidant, it naturally works to neutralize all the environmental stressors thatll destroy your collagen and cause fine lines and premature aging. But wait! *cue infomercial voice* Theres more! According to Dr. Linker, vitamin E is also a photo-protectantsomething that, when used with sunscreen, is able to help fend off sun damage even better.
So by loading up on vitamin E , you can not only protect yourself against UV exposure but also help prevent dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, hyperpigmentation…I mean, the list goes on and on.
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Best Budget Pick: The Inkey List Vitamin B C And E Moisturizer
If you’re looking for a vitamin E product that won’t break the bank, try this daily hydrator. Ideal for normal to dry skin, it has that all-star combo of vitamins C and E, along with vitamin B. Also known as niacinamide, vitamin B is a great ingredient for both brightening skin and reducing redness.
Topical Vitamin E Can Help Soften Dry Irritated Skin
Studies have shown that vitamin E may be useful in managing the symptoms of dry skin.I It has powerful emollient properties when applied topically and can penetrate the skin to impart lasting moisture. It may also promote a stronger skin moisture barriera key characteristic of smooth, healthy-looking skin.
For mens dry skin, we recommend Facial Fuel Energizing Face Moisturizer For Men. This daily moisturizer with vitamin E and caffeine absorbs quickly to invigorate dull, fatigued skin. The refreshing cream formula is suitable for all skin types and can be used daily to promote a revitalized appearance.
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The Best Way To Use Vitamin E For Skin
TL DR: It’s worth incorporating vitamin E products into your skin-care routine mostly for its antioxidant and skin-protecting benefits. Since it is a fat-soluble vitamin , looking for it in an oil or cream can help enhance penetration.
It’s also a great idea to look for vitamin E in products where it’s paired with other antioxidants, particularly vitamin C. The two make for an especially standout combination: “Both serve to reduce free radicals and oxidative stress, but each function slightly differently on a cellular level. Together, they can be synergistic and complementary,” explains Dr. Fenton. Plus, vitamin E also enhances the stability of vitamin C, making it more effective, notes Dr. Rabach.
Ready to make vitamin E a part of your skin-care routine? Check out these eight standout products.
Skin Benefits Of Vitamin E
Vitamin E has quite a few skin benefits and as such, it is no surprise that it is used in many skin care products. Free radicals are a common cause of damaged and aging skin and vitamin E has antioxidant properties that help protect the skin and body from free radical damage and its healing properties are said to help repair the damage that has already been done.
It is said to speed up cell regeneration and help prevent the breakdown of collagen so when you consider that the loss of collagen causes the signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin, you can understand the important role that vitamin E plays in the anti-aging skin care world.
Vitamin E is also renowned for being one of the most effective moisturisers on the market today and has long been used for its moisturising properties. It can help to keep the skin moist and hydrated and leave it soft, smooth and supple. Those who suffer from dry skin may find topically applied vitamin E very helpful although its worth noting that it can cause skin irritation in some.
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Use A Product That Contains Vitamin E
Using a moisturizer that contains vitamin E may produce a nice synergy to help the product work better at keeping the skin cells intact, says Dr. Kassouf. And it also prevents other substances from penetrating the skin and causing irritation.
To incorporate it into your skin care routine, look for products that contain vitamin E. Labels typically list it as tocopherol or tocotrienol. Moisturizers with as little as 0.1% can improve vitamin E levels in skin. Even better are products that include both vitamin C and E. These antioxidants work better together.
What To Look For
You can maximize the benefits of vitamin C by combining it with other antioxidants. This works best with vitamin E and ferulic acid, says Chapas. Together, they have optimal absorption benefits when it comes to anti-aging, skin brightening, and protection against free radical damage.
It also plays well with vitamin B and hyaluronic acid. However, do not mix vitamin C with a retinol or niacinamide, because the pH levels are incompatible, says Wexler. If you want to use both, she suggests waiting half an hour between applications.
Also worth noting: Vitamin C is notoriously prone to oxidizing. It can break down when its exposed to light or air, says Chapas. Always check expiration dates on your products, and if you notice a sour smell or discoloration, its most likely breaking down.
Here are some of our favorite products for getting vitamin C into your skin care routine.
BeautyRx Skincare Triple Vitamin C Serum
With three different forms of vitamin C, the formula delivers major brightening and anti-aging benefits. Plus, it feels weightless on skin.
InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum
One of the most affordable serums on the market, this formula includes vitamins C and E, ferulic acid and hyaluronic acid offering you the most brightness for your buck.
Farmacy Very Cherry Bright 15% Clean Vitamin C Serum
This lightweight, natural serum delivers vitamin C derived from cherries, sinks in fast, and even smells like its namesake fruit.
Summer Fridays CC Me Vitamin C Serum
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Best Vitamin E Products That We Love
Here are a few products that we enjoy that contain vitamin E.
Bio Oil is a cult favorite. Many including us at the Hey Simply team have seen marked improvements in scars new and old after consistently using Bio Oil.
Vitamin E face moisturizer another soothing moisturizer that is lightweight and residue free.
Skin Conditioner And Hydrator
Your skin needs two types of ingredients for proper hydration emollients and humectants. Emollients work by smoothing and conditioning the surface of your skin, filling in cracks, and smoothing over rough patches.
Humectants work by pulling moisture to the top layer of your skin and holding it in, so skin stays hydrated and fully moisturized. Humectants help you avoid dry skin and flakiness.
Vitamin E is a powerful ingredient that has both emollient and humectant qualities, making it the perfect candidate for virtually all moisturizing creams and lotions.
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What Does Vitamin B Do To The Skin
There are two main forms of vitamin B found in skincare Think of niacinamide as the skin all-rounder. It is shown to balance excess oil, improve skin hydration, calm and soothe the skin and also can boost skin luminosity and evenness. Whilst vitamin B5 is the healing and soothing vitamin. It can also help with skin regeneration.
What Is Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble, essential nutrient with anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin E helps support the immune system, cell function, and skin health. Its an antioxidant, making it effective at combating the effects of free radicals produced by the metabolism of food and toxins in the environment.
Vitamin E may be beneficial at reducing UV damage to skin.
It may also be effective at reducing the symptoms of atopic dermatitis and fatty liver disease, and for slowing the progression of mild to moderate Alzheimers disease.
Vitamin E is even used to widen blood vessels, reducing the risk of blood clots.
UV light and sun exposure reduce vitamin E levels in skin. Vitamin E levels also decrease with age. However, vitamin E is available in many foods, in supplement form, and as an ingredient in products applied topically.
Vitamin E can be found in many foods, including:
- certain commercially processed foods, such as cereal, juice, and margarine
- abalone, salmon, and other seafood
- broccoli, spinach, and other green vegetables
- nuts and seeds, such as sunflower seeds, and hazelnuts
- vegetable oils, including sunflower, wheat germ, and safflower oil
Natural vitamin E in food is often listed as d-alpha-tocopherol on food labels. Vitamin E is also produced synthetically. The synthetic form of vitamin E is often referred to as dl-alpha-tocopherol. Natural vitamin E is more potent than its synthetic version.
Vitamin E can be absorbed even better when combined with vitamin C.
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Best Serum: Skinbetter Alto Defense Serum
“This contains a variety of antioxidants in a serum that’s very elegant,” says Dr. Fenton. He adds that it’s also great for those with sensitive skin who are searching for an antioxidant serum that’s also hydrating. Use it every morning and let all those antioxidantsâvitamin E, vitamin C, plus a whopping list of 17 other onesâdo their thing, acting as a second layer of back-up protection for your sunscreen.
What Skin Type Is It Good For
Vitamin E is an all-purpose ingredient that works for a majority of skin types including sensitive, mature, and dry.
- For dry skin, vitamin E oil helps provide moisture and allows the skin to retain water.
- For sensitive skin, vitamin E oil soothes and provides a protective barrier.
- For combination skin, vitamin E oil can be a bit too oily and can potentially aggravate skin.
- For mature skin, vitamin E oil for skin can help minimize the appearance of fine lines and prevent signs of aging.
- For oily skin, vitamin E oil can potentially clog pores and cause congestion, so the pure version is best avoided.
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Vitamin E Treats Sunburns
Free radicals caused by ultraviolet radiation can lead to dark spots and sunburn. vitamin E neutralizes the damage, and repairs and soothes sunburnt skin. All you should do is take a couple of drops of the vitamin E oil, or even break a capsule of vitamin E and then massage it gently into the affected area.
Vitamin E And Blackheads
Vitamin E has the potential to prevent the sebum in your pores from oxidizing. In case you didnt know, oxidation is what causes blackheads to turn black. When the oil that has risen to the surface of your pore comes in contact with oxygen, it turns that ugly grayish black color that characterizes blackheads. . Vitamin E, with its antioxidant abilities, can help prevent this. It should be noted that this doesnt mean your pores have become unclogged, however. In fact, in some cases vitamin E can even lead to pore clogging.
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