Vitamin E for Your Face

Vitamins play a big role in keeping your skin healthy, and vitamin E is no exception. It’s a fat-soluble vitamin with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers, which means it can offer lots of benefits for your skin and overall health. You can get vitamin E in a few different ways, so here’s a quick guide on everything you should know about using vitamin E for your face.

Benefits of Vitamin E for Your Face

Vitamin E offers several skin benefits, though it’s worth noting that more research is needed to fully back some of these up. Here are some of the perks:

• Helps keep your skin hydrated and reduces dryness.
• Protects against damage from UV rays.
• Supports faster wound healing—some studies suggest that a vitamin E deficiency might slow down this process.
• Has anti-inflammatory effects, which can reduce swelling, skin discoloration, pain, and even help with acne.
• May lighten dark spots and hyperpigmentation caused by excess melanin.
• Acts as an antioxidant, helping to fight signs of aging on your skin.

Where to Get Vitamin E

You can find vitamin E from different sources, including:

• Food: Broccoli, spinach, other leafy greens, kiwi, mango, tomatoes, nuts and seeds like hazelnuts and sunflower seeds, plant oils such as wheat germ oil and corn oil, plus seafood.
• Supplements: Available as capsules you take by mouth. It’s a good idea to talk with your doctor before starting supplements and always follow the label instructions.
• Topical Vitamin E: Creams, ointments, or oils you apply directly to your skin.

Things to Watch Out For

Even though vitamin E can be great for your skin, using it the wrong way might cause some side effects. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• If you have clogged pores, avoid vitamin E oil because it can block pores further.
• Don’t overdo it with vitamin E supplements — too much can lower your platelet count, affect blood clotting, and might even cause strokes.
• People with bleeding disorders, those on blood thinners or cholesterol meds, and anyone undergoing chemo or radiation should avoid vitamin E supplements unless their doctor says otherwise.
• Always buy vitamin E products and supplements from trusted sources.