Yes, You Still Need Vitamin E In Your Skincare
Alongside vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, vitamin E is one of the most widely-used ingredient in skincare. Hands up if you remember the pastel pink vitamin E skin range from The Body Shop; it was gentle, comforting and thus generally well-tolerated by all skin types.
Vitamin E peaked in the early '00s 'as it was one of the first antioxidants widely recognised for its skin benefits,' says Daniel Isaacs, director of research at Medik8. It has since flown under the radar, overshadowed by shiny active ingredients such as retinol and niacinamide - both with an impressive CV and benefits that list from smoothing out texture to minimising breakouts.
But vitamin E is an essential nutrient that offers protection, so it's essential that our body gets enough of it both through topical methods for skin and food consumption for overall health.
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What is vitamin E?
Our body doesn't naturally produce vitamin E, so it needs to be obtained through our diet, supplements and/or topical application.
'Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects the lipid layers of skin cells from oxidative damage,' says Isaacs. While skincare with vitamin E is helpful, nourishing your body from the inside should be the starting point for healthy skin and body.
Best sources of vitamin E
Leafy vegetables
Plant oils such as rapeseed, sunflower and olive oil
Nuts and seeds
Wheatgerm
The NHS recommends 3mg a day for women and 4mg for men.
What are the benefits of vitamin E for body?
Aside from keeping our immune function in top form, vitamin E also protects cells from free radicals and maintains healthy skin and eyes. According to Dr Nowell Solish, dermatologist at Indeed Laboratories, a decrease in vitamin E levels can happen due to 'conditions that impair the body's ability to absorb fats, such as genetic defects or malabsorption syndromes'.
Vitamin E deficiency can lead to:
Neurological disorders (such as ataxia, which affects movement)
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Pale or yellowish skin
Irregular heartbeats
Muscle weakness
Brittle hair and nails
Scaly skin patches
Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
What are the benefits of vitamin E for skin?
As one of the most powerful antioxidants out there, vitamin E 'helps to neutralise free radicals that can damage skin cells and accelerate ageing,' explains Isaacs. 'It also supports the skin’s natural barrier function, keeping moisture in and harmful elements out.'
Insufficient vitamin E can lead to dry and inflamed skin that's more susceptible to damage. Your skin barrier is the first defence against external aggressors, and vitamin E helps to keep it resilient.
Which skin types will benefit from vitamin E?
It is generally safe for all skin types, but dry, sensitive or older skin will especially reap its nourishing and protective properties. If you're prone to acne or have very oily skin, look for lighter textures as it can be comedogenic in some formulations.
How to find the right vitamin E skincare
Essentially, it all comes down to the overall formula rather than focusing solely on one ingredient. 'Vitamin E complements vitamin C, as they boost each other’s antioxidant effects. It also works well with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and peptides for hydration and skin repair,' adds Isaacs.
How we test
Firstly, it's important to consider the skin's individual needs. For example, you'll still need actives such as retinol, niacinamide and glycolic acid to brighten and smooth, but additional vitamin E within the ingredient will provide antioxidant properties and bolster the skin barrier. We look at the product as a whole, and take note of any visible difference both in the short and long term.
The best vitamin E skincare products
Crystal Retinal®
Our love for Medik8's retinal range is well-documented. 'In this cutting-edge innovation, vitamin E works alongside retinaldehyde to provide additional antioxidant protection against environmental stressors,' says Daniel Isaacs, Medik8's director of research.
For plumping up fine lines, Crystal Retinal is unmatched. There are also multiple strength levels so you can gradually build up the intensity of retinol.
Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
A modern classic, this gel moisturiser floods skin with hydration without clogging the skin - ideal for those prone to shine. Next to vitamin E, it also has vitamin C and cica, which keeps the complexion calm and happy.
Multivitamin Power Recovery Cream
This hardworking cream is brimming with vitamins A, C and E to brighten, smooth and protect the complexion, while peptides help iron out fine lines. Designed especially for stressed skin, this is a one-and-done that's set to make your routine so much simpler.
Good Chi Cleansing Balm
While a cleansing balm is unmatched for removing stubborn make-up, Muihood's emulsifying formula doesn't require a warm flannel as the formula instantly transforms into a milky texture that's easily rinsed off. It's packed with soybean-derived vitamin E, alongside ginseng and goji berry for a skin boost. It doesn't seem to breakout acne-prone skin, either.
10Balm
If you're prone to flare-ups and skin sensitivities, it's worth keeping 10Balm in your arsenal. It's loaded with skin soothers such as bisabolol, propolis and arnica to keep redness at bay while taking care of dryness.
Vitamin E Serum
This nourishing oil serum is formulated alongside ceramides to fortify the skin barrier and a combination of squalane and hyaluronic acid to encourage hydration levels.
Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream
It may have had a makeover in recent years, but The Body Shop's Vitamin E Moisture Cream is still as excellent as ever at hydrating dry skin thanks to the addition of olive oil, shea butter and hyaluronic acid.
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