Ingredient Spotlight: Vitamin E (Tocopherol) 101

Along with vitamin C, vitamin E is one of the top antioxidant powerhouses commonly found in skincare products. If you aren’t already, here is why you should become familiar with the ingredient vitamin E.

Reminders to use antioxidant serums, apply sunscreen daily, and remove makeup before bed may sound like broken records. However, there’s always a good reason why certain skincare tips are so well-known, including the importance of antioxidants.

While vitamin C gets most of the recognition for being the top antioxidant on the market, vitamin E (aka tocopherol) is the underdog everyone should know about. It may already be in some of your favorite serums, facial oils, and moisturizers, but since it’s not as well-known as vitamin C, it doesn’t always get plastered on product labels.

If you’re looking for a way to take your antioxidant game to the next level, consider adding in vitamin E. Here’s everything you need to know.

What is Vitamin E?

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that has been used in dermatology for more than 50 years, according to research in the Indian Dermatology Online Journal. It is not a single compound but rather a group of molecules with related structures, per the Linus Pauling Institute.

Vitamin E acts as a free radical scavenger, which means it protects the skin from damage caused by solar radiation and other sources of oxidative stress. This is beneficial for preventing premature aging due to environmental stressors, including UV rays, pollution, and ozone.

In skincare, vitamin E is applied topically in facial serums, oils, moisturizers, creams, eye creams, masks, and more. It can also be taken orally as a dietary supplement. Healthline states that oral vitamin E is delivered to the skin by sebum since it’s fat-soluble.

Skin Benefits of Vitamin E

As an antioxidant, vitamin E is known for protecting the skin against free radical damage. However, there are many benefits of vitamin E. It’s mainly associated with wound healing, moisturizing, and anti-aging benefits.

Fights Against Free Radicals

There is ample scientific evidence that vitamin E is a potent radical-scavenging antioxidant. Sources of free radicals include the sun’s harmful UV rays, pollution, and ozone. While you should wear sunscreen to protect against these stressors, your skin may not be protected with SPF 24/7 and a powerful antioxidant can help with the aftermath.

This is an anti-aging benefit of vitamin E since free radicals can cause photoaging and other signs of premature aging. It can prevent fine lines and wrinkles as a result.

Helps Heal Wounds

Vitamin E has been shown to support skin wound healing through its antioxidant effects. Anecdotally, vitamin E has been a go-to treatment for lightening scars, especially acne scarring, but more research is needed to confirm this.

Moisturizes Skin

Vitamin E is often found in face creams and moisturizers for its ability to help moisturize the skin. It’s often available in oil form, so fat-soluble vitamin E oils soften the skin while helping to trap in moisture. It’s an especially popular ingredient in lip balms and is recommended for preventing dry, chapped, and cracked lips.

Improves Hyperpigmentation and Melasma

Hyperpigmentation on the skin can occur due to prolonged exposure to the sun and other environmental stressors. It usually appears in the form of dark spots or areas of discoloration from increased melanin production in the skin. These are examples of photoaging. There are many ways to lighten hyperpigmentation and melasma, and using vitamin E is one of them. When used alongside vitamins A and C, vitamin E can be an effective treatment for melasma.

Is Vitamin E Safe?

Tocopherol and tocopherol acetate receive positive safety grades from the Good Face Project. Topical application of vitamin E is associated with low risk of toxicity and negative side effects. It’s an ingredient that is widely recommended by dermatologists and thoroughly researched by scientists.

Allergies to vitamin E and its derivatives, such as tocopherol, are very rare. There have been very few cases of vitamin E-induced allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), according to research in Dermatitis. Some forms of vitamin E, such as tocopherol acetate, are associated with mild cases of irritation in some people.

Given the rare nature of allergic reactions and irritation from vitamin E, researchers still recommend the use of vitamin E in skincare products.

How to Use Vitamin E

Unlike chemical exfoliants or retinol, there are no special rules when it comes to using vitamin E in your skincare routine. It’s even easier to incorporate than vitamin C, which shouldn’t be combined with some ingredients.

If you’re new to vitamin E, try a skincare product that contains vitamin E like a serum or moisturizer. There are skincare products that contain higher concentrations of vitamin E, such as vitamin E oils, but these may be too potent to start with.

People with sensitive skin should perform a patch test with any products that contain tocopherol acetate since it can cause mild irritation in some.

FAQ

What is the difference between vitamin C and vitamin E?
Vitamins C and E are both antioxidants that are often used in skincare products. While they are similar, they are not the same. Their differences mainly come down to their benefits and solubility. Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant that encourages collagen production, fends off the signs of aging, and protects against free radicals. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that prevents photodamage, premature aging, and skin DNA damage.

Which is better: vitamin C or vitamin E?
Can I apply vitamin E capsules on my face?