Vitamin E for your Skin! Yay or nay?

Vitamin E has been a beloved skincare ingredient for years, often preferred for its ability to nourish and protect. 

Known to tackle dryness and calm irritation, this popular ingredient has been used in all sorts of skincare products—but does it truly fit everyone’s skincare needs? Let’s find out. 

Here is all you need to know about vitamin E, its uses, and also the vitamin E of benefits you must know about. 

What is Vitamin E?

Vitamin E is a group of molecules with related structures, known to be extremely beneficial to the skin. A vital fat-soluble antioxidant, there are eight variants of vitamin E.

Among them, α-tocopherol is the most biologically active in your body followed by γ-tocopherol, often derived from your diet, through plant-based sources like seeds, nuts, vegetables, etc. 

However, since your body doesn’t produce it naturally, it's crucial to replenish its levels regularly through diets, supplements, and topical applications.

Why does your skin need vitamin E?

Vitamin E is one of the primary forms of nourishment for your skin. It helps maintain and repair your skin cells. Natural Vitamin E is absorbed by the body from your diet and is stored in the sebaceous glands present all over your skin, at the base of your hair follicles. 

When called for, the nutrient makes its way to different parts of your skin through sebum- the ultimate skin lubricant. 

While you can also get vitamin E from your diet, the natural vitamin E, on being exposed to air,  undergoes rapid degeneration due to oxidation, rendering it ineffective before it can be fully utilized.

With skincare advancement today, brands use stabilized forms of vitamin E  for their products. 

These vitamin E forms, the ‘esters’ of tocopherol, are resistant to oxidation but can penetrate deep into the skin. Topical use of vitamin E also ensures that you replenish all variants consistently, without depending on what you eat.

Vitamin E and Skin Benefits

Vitamin E is one of the most prevalent ingredients in skincare. Surprised? 

You might have not picked up a ‘vitamin E” cream’, but almond oil, wheat germ extract, olive oil and the like are potent sources of vitamin E that have been used in skincare for decades. Let’s look at some of the benefits of vitamin E for your skin: 

Vitamin E benefits for skin:

1. It boosts skin cell regeneration and turnover and improves the skin barrier, reducing signs of aging. 

2. It is an effective antioxidant that manages oxidative stress and promotes blood circulation.

3. It is a potential photo protectant and reduces sun damage on your skin

4. It is hydrating and improves moisture retention in your skin

5. It is an anti-inflammatory that manages your skin’s reactivity.

Precisely, if used consistently and in regulation, vitamin E can give you youthful clear skin that glows from within!

How can you use vitamin E for your skin?

Vitamin E is available in all kinds of over-the-counter formulations. Let's look at some of the ways you can incorporate this ingredient into your skincare routine. 

• Vitamin E oil

This is the most traditional and potent form of vitamin E. Easily available over the counter in small capsules, you can directly apply this concentrated form on affected areas of your skin. 

When applied topically, vitamin E  oil penetrates the innermost layers of your skin, treating hyper-pigmentation, sun damage, signs of aging, and inflammation. Moreover, it's very effective in nourishing and calming aggravated signs of dryness.

If you have dry and flaky skin, use vitamin E oil before bed, allowing it to be absorbed overnight. Working during your skin’s natural nighttime renewal process, it boosts hydration and promotes a healthier, more radiant complexion by morning. You can also pop a vitamin E capsule into your face mask and apply it twice a week to reap its benefits.

• Vitamin E moisturizer

If you're oily or combination skin type, your skin might better respond to a moisturizer than oil. A light moisturizer, infused with vitamin E will help you get that even-toned, firm, and blemish-free skin without making your skin too oily.

For those with skin dryness, Plum's E-Luminence Deep Moisturizing Creme is a must-try. It is a rich cream-based formula consisting of vitamin E and kokum butter that provides intense nourishment to your skin, keeping it moisturized for long hours.

If you have a sensitive skin, Oat & 1% Ceramide Barrier Love Face Cream will promote stronger skin barrier to give you a plump healthy skin!

• Vitamin E serum

If the texture of oil is too thick for you, opt for a serum instead. For a concentrated and more potent use of vitamin E, serums are a good alternative to oils. Especially if you have oily skin, vitamin E serums will give you all the benefits of use without adding to the oil on your face.

• Vitamin E sunscreen

Owing to its photo-protective and moisturizing properties, vitamin E is commonly found in sunscreens too. Plum's Squalane & Vitamin E SPF 50 PA+++ Dewy-Bright Sunscreen is a handy sun protection packed with the benefits of vitamin E that leaves no white cast, leaving your skin nourished. 

• Multi-tasking products

There is a wide range of products that combine vitamin E with other actives or natural extracts in varied formulas. You can choose your products based on their suitability for your skin.

How to use vitamin E in your skincare routine?

Vitamin E can be incorporated into both your AM and PM skincare routines. To optimize the benefits of vitamin E, we have two routines to guide you.

Morning Routine:

1. Cleanser: Use a gentle cleanser and slowly massage your face for at least 60 seconds in a circular motion, ensuring that your face is thoroughly cleaned. Pat dry gently with a soft towel. 

2. Toner: Now that your face is clean, it is time for a toner. Spritz a generous amount on your face and neck and wait for a couple of minutes, allowing it to absorb. A toner balances the pH level of your skin and preps it for the next steps.  

3. Serum: For the morning routine, a Vitamin E serum is ideal for a concentrated dose. Using a serum consistently will hydrate your face and reduce sun damage.  

4. Moisturizer: After serum, lock in its benefits with a hydrating moisturizer. You can opt for Plum’s  E-Luminence Deep Moisturizing Creme moisturizer, infused with vitamin E and kokum butter that hydrates and nourishes your skin. If your skin is particularly sensitive, opt for Plum’s Oat & 1% Ceramide Barrier Love Face Cream that repairs with the power of ceramides and nourishes with vitamin E.

5. Sunscreen: Skipping on sunscreen is a skincare offense no one should commit. So finish your routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least 35 SPF or above, even if you are indoors. Apply it 15 minutes before stepping out into the sun for optimized sun protection. 

Night time Routine:

1. Cleanser: Double-cleanse your face with a micellar water/ cleansing balm/ cleaning oil, followed by a gentle cleanser to remove any impurities or product residue. 

2. Toner: Spray a non-alcoholic toner next. Wait for a couple of minutes. 

3. Vitamin E oil with vitamin E cream: Finish your routine with a few drops of vitamin E oil combined with a hydrating moisturizer for an intensive overnight treatment. 

Take a few drops of vitamin E oil and massage it into your skin in gentle upward strokes. Then, place one dot of  Oat & 1% Ceramide Barrier Love Face Cream on your forehead, both cheeks, chin, and nose, and gently massage it in too. Work your way down to the neck. 

This helps to nourish and rejuvenate your skin, by allowing the vitamin to work overnight, so you wake up with plump, refreshed, and healthier-looking skin the next morning. Alternatively, You can also mix a few drops of oil into your vitamin E night cream and massage it into your face. Avoid using too much oil as it can clog your pores owing to its higher viscosity. 

If you have oily, combination, or acne-prone skin, avoid using vitamin E oil and opt for a moisturizing creme instead that deeply hydrates your skin without clogging pores or causing acne and breakouts. 

For those with dry skin, intensive overnight treatment with vitamin E will be especially beneficial for treating issues like skin dryness, sun damage, dehydration, and hyperpigmentation.

If your skin is oily or combination, do not use very high concentrations, especially in oil formula, to avoid a greasy face.

Potential checks before incorporating Vitamin E into your skincare:

1. Understand your skin type: Vitamin E is compatible with all skin types but if you have very oily and acne-prone skin, topical use of this nutrient in the form of oil may not be the best for you. For oily skin types, serums are the best choice if you are looking for intensive vitamin E treatment. 

2. Do not overuse: Vitamin E is very potent as a moisturizer but if overused in a concentrated form,  can clog your pores over time by forming a layer of oil deposit on your skin that it can’t absorb. This results in excessively greasy skin, making it prone to attracting dust and other impurities, irrespective of your skin type. 

3. Do not skip sunscreen: Although vitamin E protects your skin from the sun, it cannot substitute your sunscreen. Keep a broad-spectrum sunscreen handy and reapply throughout the day to keep your skin nourished and sun-protected, at all times.

Additional tips for Vitamin E use

• Not only your face, but the skin on the rest of your body can also benefit from vitamin E use. A vitamin E-infused body lotion can be a great addition to your body care routine. 

• You can opt for Vanilla Caramello Body Lotion by Plum BodyLovin. It is infused with sunflower seed oil, one of the richest sources of vitamin E that provides intense nourishment to the deepest layers of your skin. Its non-greasy lightweight formula is also packed with the benefits of cocoa butter and vitamin B5 which ensures deep moisturisation for long hours. 

• Combining vitamin E with other actives like vitamin C and hyaluronic acid can enhance its efficiency. 

• For dry skin, look for a richer form like α-tocopherol or an oil-based product that deeply nourishes and hydrates. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, consider a lighter form, such as γ-tocopherol or a tocotrienol, which offers antioxidant benefits without clogging pores.

To conclude, vitamin E is a potent nutrient that can change your skincare game. Whether you have dry or oily skin, choosing the right form of Vitamin E for your skincare routine can unlock your skin’s natural radiance.