Vitamin E is a Skin Superfood: Benefits, uses and products for healthier-looking, feel-good skin

Posted on November 5, 2022

Vitamin E has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that support wellness both inside and out. The more I dug in to learning how it acts in a health-protective way, the more I also realized Vitamin E is a skin superfood! Learn the benefits, uses as well as products to for healthier-looking, feel-good skin.

If you or someone you knows struggles with a dry, irritated or sensitive skin conditions, it is worth working with a medical professional to check your Vitamin E levels. Below you’ll see that research shows Vitamin E deficiency can cause such issues and adding Vitamin E (inside and out) can alleviate symptoms.

What is Vitamin E and how does our body use it?

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin with eight isoforms. Its main role is to act as an antioxidant, seeking out “free radicals” that can damage cells and “rounding them up” with its “tail-shaped” molecule strands. Free radical damage is involved in the early stages of artery-clogging atherosclerosis. Research shows Vitamin E enhances immune function as well as prevents clots from forming in heart arteries. Vitamin E has the ability to protect cells from free radical damage as well as reduce the production of free radicals in certain situations, detailed below. [source]

And according to Oregon State Linus Pauling Institute: Naturally occurring Vitamin E includes eight fat-soluble isoforms, yet, the body preferentially uses α-tocopherol, and only α-tocopherol supplementation can reverse Vitamin E deficiency symptoms.

Vitamin E in whole food sources, what are the top foods?

Vitamin E is found in plant-based oils as a protective agent against oxidation. Therefore, it is found in fatty plant-based foods as well as the following:

Oils, such as sunflower, safflower, avocado, palm, and soybean oil
Nuts and seeds, such as sunflower seeds, almonds, peanuts, and butters of each
Greens, such as beet greens, collard greens, spinach
Pumpkin
Red bell pepper
Asparagus
Mango
Avocado

If looking to increase Tocotrienol specifically, the following are high in that form of Vitamin E:

Palm (the bright orange oil is colored from Vitamin E)
Annatto (another bright reddish color)
Rice, of which pigmented rices have the highest concentration (such as Black and Red) [source]

Benefits of Vitamin E for the human body:

Reduce markers of oxidative stress and improve antioxidant defenses

A 2021 study also showed that supplementing with a combination of Vitamin E and Vitamin C daily for 8 weeks reduced markers of oxidative stress, such as malondialdehyde and ROS, in women with endometriosis. [source]

May also improve bone health and have protective anti-aging effect

Research in middle-aged and elderly humans suggests that tocotrienols have a potential beneficial anti-ageing action with respect to cognitive impairment and DNA damage. Tocotrienol supplementation helps reduce bone loss in postmenopausal osteopenic women by suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress.

Support cardiovascular health and may reduce heart disease risk factors

Studies show reduced systolic blood pressure and when combined, omega-3 and Vitamin E co-supplementation significantly reduced the serum concentrations of TG and LDL and increased “good” cholesterol to reduce risk of heart disease. And Vitamin E quinone has anti clotting benefits, as a potent inhibitor of the vitamin K-dependent carboxylase that controls blood clotting.

May also improve liver health and benefit those with liver disease (NAFLD)

Meta Analysis showed that Vitamin E reduced the values of liver enzymes compared with placebo vitamin E improved statistically significantly liver pathology in every individual histological parameter as well as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and serum leptin values.

Further a 2022 study was recently published showing that when comparing tocotrienol to tocopherol in those with NAFLD, better results were seen in those taking tocotrienol supplementation. δ-tocotrienol and α-tocopherol exerted equally beneficial effects in terms of improvement in hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance in patients with NAFLD. However, δ-tocotrienol was more potent than α-tocopherol in reducing body weight, inflammation, and apoptosis associated with NAFLD [source]

May reduce menstrual pain

In a 2018 study in 100 women with dysmenorrhea, taking 200 IU of vitamin E daily relieved menstrual pain more than a placebo. The effects were even better when the vitamin was combined with an omega-3 supplement containing 180 mg of EPA and 120 mg of DHA [source]

May benefit cognitive health

Maintaining optimal Vitamin E levels and taking supplements may help protect against cognitive decline. But it’s still unclear whether the supplements benefit people with cognitive conditions like Alzheimer’s disease:

Vitamin E has been proposed as a potential clinical intervention for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) given the plausibility of its various biological functions in influencing the neurodegenerative processes associated with the condition. The tocopherol and tocotrienol isoforms of vitamin E have multiple properties including potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics, in addition to influences on immune function, cellular signaling and lowering cholesterol. Reduced plasma levels have furthermore been associated with an increased risk of AD development while intake, particularly from dietary sources, may limit or reduce the rate of disease progression. Several factors influence individual responsiveness to vitamin E intake and recent findings suggest variation in the underlying genetic architecture attenuates vitamin E biological availability and activity which likely contributes to the variation in clinical responsiveness and the failure of randomized trials to date. [2019, source]

May benefit older adults

Because Vitamin E plays important roles in health, such as reducing inflammation and improving immune function, supplements may benefit people who have increased needs or don’t get enough in their diets, such as some older adults.

May benefit skin health

Vitamin E supplements may be helpful for those with certain skin disorders, such as dermatitis and eczema. Naturally found in Avocado, Olive, Sweet Almond, and Sunflower Oils – so all of those ingredients as well as tocopherol or tocopheryl acetate. [source]

I’ve included a full list below of all the products I recommend containing Vitamin E. I have seen great results with skincare clients, and knew there was something special about these products. And finally I understand why!

Topical Vitamin E products (that I recommend)

As per Dr. Barrie’s recommendation, these products use whole sources of Vitamin E. Science shows that Tocopherol or Tocopheryl Acetate as independent ingredients do not maintain the same health-protective benefits as ingredients which naturally contain Vitamin E.

Facial Oils

Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C & Turmeric Face Oil 20 forms

Odacité Acne Serum Concentrate for Face, Pore Cleanser Facial Oil for Pimples with Black Cumin + Cajeput – Purifying Facial Serum is made entirely of Vitamin E with the highest grade cold-pressed organic virgin oils

Soothing Balms

Honest Calm Your Nip Balm soothing for you, safe for your babe with Certified Organic Ingredients in 8 forms

True Botanicals Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm made for sensitive skin, ideal for dry irritated skin conditions with 17 forms

Toners

Tir Tir Milk Skin Rice Toner has a whopping 23 forms, hence why it’s an ideal hydrating essence for aging or dry skin

24 Karat Gold Rose Water Toner is made entirely of rose extract. Rose petals are loaded with vitamins E (and A), making rose water a rich source of antioxidants.

Pomifera

These products all use multiple forms of Vitamin E, including a concentrated form from the pomifera plant. Pomifera oil is an anti-aging botanical oil and a source of antioxidants, omega-6, and other bioactives to help moisturize and soothe the skin. Pomifera is also known as maclura pomifera or osage orange – which is ecologically and sustainably farmed in the US.

Pomifera Make-up

** note: I only recommend this line for people with young or “normal” skin without any issues such as sensitivity, blemishes, or aging – the coconut can become occlusive so exfoliation (with a microfiber cloth, the Peel or masks) is necessary

Shaklee Youth line

All of Shaklee’s Youth line below is also EWG Verified safe with clinical results to improve signs of aging by a decade. And the following products all contain Vitamin E to soothe while also refining skin texture, reducing dark spots and other signs of sun damage, and refining fine lines and wrinkles.

Radiance C+E, is my top recommendation. The serum is infused with 20% vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry cell extract. Clinically proven to visibly reduce signs of aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. This blend also supports collagen production, evens skin tone, brightens, protects against stressors that prematurely age the skin, and reinforces the moisture barrier. And, it’s all protected to stay effective in an air tight away from sunlight in plant-based biodegradable pods that allow the formula to say potent with a preservative-free formula.

I use the pods 2 times per week, in addition to my daily skincare routine:

I use the BB Cream as an AM moisturizer and Night Cream light for PM combined with the facial oils noted here (Sunday Riley, Pomifera and Odicite).

And, a few more worth checking out

Lash Revitalizing and Conditioning Mascara, which explains why it improves lash health over time and is the BEST clean mascara I’ve ever used
Youth Purifying Clay Mask
Activating BB Cream
Ageless Sculpting Wand for Face & Neck and Eyes

Body Products

SPF

Activating BB Cream (tinted in 4 shade choices)
Youth Age Defense Mineral Moisturizer SPF 30
Beauty by Earth, SPF 25
Babo Botanicals SPF 30
Attitude’s Sunly, SPF 30

Learn more on The Whole View Vitamin E podcasts:

Episode 33 of Season 3: Benefits of Vitamin E with Dr. Barrie Tan, Part 1, and Benefits of Vitamin E continued with Dr. Barrie Tan, Part 2

References:

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Note: Stacy is not a medical professional. This article is for general educational purposes and NOT intended to diagnose, advise, or treat any physical or mental illness. We always recommend you consult a licensed service provider.