Vitamin E for Skin: The Ultimate Derm-Approved Guide
In the world of skincare, not all ingredients are created equal. While some rise through the ranks due to viral trends, others rely on their long history of science-backed, tried-and-tested results—one of which is vitamin E. While it may not be as buzzy as other skincare A-listers, vitamin E for skin has long been regarded as a powerhouse. Whether you’re dealing with dryness and signs of aging or want to amp up your skin’s protection against environmental stressors, this essential nutrient plays a key role in maintaining healthy, glowing skin. But how exactly does it work, and how can you incorporate it into your routine? We spoke to an expert to help us break down everything you need to know about this skincare staple.
Meet the Expert
- Dr. Ashley Magovern - Board-certified Dermatologist and member of Dermstore's Medical Advisory Board
Derm Insights
What it is: A fat-soluble antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radicals, UV damage, and environmental stressors Skin Benefits: Antioxidant Protection, Moisture Retention, Wound Healing, Anti-inflammatory Common Product Types: Oil, Serums, Moisturizers Dermatologist-Recommended: Yes
In this Article
- What is Vitamin E?
- What Does Vitamin E Do for the Skin?
- Benefits of Vitamin E
- Is Vitamin E Safe for all Skin Types?
- How to Incorporate Vitamin E into your Skincare Routine
- Shop the Best Vitamin E Skin Care
- FAQs
- The Bottom Line
What is Vitamin E?
“Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radicals, UV damage, and environmental stressors,” explains Dr. Ashley Magovern, board-certified dermatologist and member of Dermstore’s Medical Advisory Board. “It’s also deeply nourishing and helps strengthen the skin barrier.”
Naturally found in various foods, including nuts and seeds, leafy green vegetables, and fruits like avocado, kiwi, and mango, vitamin E comes in different forms like tocopherols and tocotrienols. It acts as an antioxidant that protects cells from free radicals that accelerate skin aging and weaken its integrity. Vitamin E is also known for its soothing, reparative, and hydrating properties as well as its ability to improve texture and minimize the appearance of scars, making it a key player in maintaining a youthful and healthy complexion.
What Does Vitamin E Do for the Skin?
As a skincare ingredient, vitamin E is all about protecting the skin from external stressors: pollution, free radicals, and ultraviolet radiation. These environmental triggers are bad news for the skin, causing the formation of free radicals and oxidative stress. Free radicals are unstable and highly reactive molecules that steal electrons from other molecules, including proteins and DNA. This is known as oxidative stress, which causes damage to the cells and skin structure and leads to premature skin aging. Because vitamin E has antioxidant properties, it prevents oxidative damage by donating an electron to free radicals to neutralize them.
Vitamin E also has strong anti-inflammatory and moisturizing capabilities that help in calming irritated or sensitive skin, strengthening the skin barrier, preventing water loss, and improving the skin’s texture. It also aids in wound healing by supporting cell regeneration, making it effective in refining the look of scars, post-acne blemishes, and minor burns. Another reason vitamin E is a sought-after skincare ingredient is the fact that it enhances the effectiveness of other skincare ingredients. Take vitamin C, for example. When paired with vitamin E in the same formula, the latter helps in stabilizing vitamin C and boosting its overall efficacy.
Benefits of Vitamin E
Vitamin E for skin offers a long list of benefits that make it an indispensable part of any skincare routine. Here are the top reasons it deserves a spot in your daily regimen, according to Dr. Magovern.
Antioxidant Protection: Vitamin E shields skin from environmental damage by quenching free radicals and enhancing the skin’s protection against UV damage, pollution, and other external triggers. Moisture Retention: With its hydrating properties, vitamin E helps skin stay soft and supple by ensuring the skin retains enough moisture and strengthening its natural protective barrier. Wound Healing: Vitamin E boasts of healing restorative and healing properties that support skin repair and reduce scarring. Anti-Inflammatory: Known for its soothing benefits, vitamin E calms irritation and redness, making it ideal for sensitive skin.
Is Vitamin E Safe to Use for All Skin Types?
Most skin types can use vitamin E safely and effectively, but if you have oily skin, you may need to proceed with a little caution. Oil-rich products with vitamin E may aggravate the feeling of heavy grease and can clog pores, so it’s best to opt for lightweight formulas or use it sparingly.
How to Incorporate Vitamin E into Your Skincare Routine
Vitamin E is a versatile ingredient that work well with other active ingredients, so you won’t break a sweat finding products to add to your current routine. Ultimately, deciding which type of vitamin E for skin formula to choose depends on your skin’s specific needs. “Vitamin E is available in various forms, including oil, moisturizers, and serums,” explains Dr. Magovern. “If you have dry skin, pure vitamin E oil can be beneficial, while combination or oily skin types may prefer a moisturizer infused with vitamin E.”
Vitamin E serums and oils are best applied at night for maximum absorption. In the morning, apply a vitamin E-infused moisturizer to enhance the benefits and protection of your daily sunscreen
Shop the Best Vitamin E Skincare Products
1. SkinMedica Vitamin C + E Complex
302 reviews
$106.00
Blending a super stable form of vitamin C with a potent and natural form of vitamin E, this antioxidant-loaded serum protects skin from free radical damage while enhancing your complexion’s tone, texture, and natural radiance, resulting in a healthier, more youthful appearance.
Key Ingredients: Ascorbic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol
Skin Type: All skin types
Skin Benefit(s): Delivers antioxidant protection, promotes collagen production, improves tone and texture, enhances brightness
Beauty Insider Tip: With its time-release delivery system, this serum ensures you have continuous antioxidant protection throughout the day.
2. iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance Plus
350 reviews
$165.00
Infused with vitamins C, E, and A, this serum packs a powerful punch and delivers superior antioxidant protection. It’s especially beneficial for those with sensitive or compromised skin as it also aids in reducing inflammation and redness, all thanks to its antibacterial and healing properties.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Zinc Sulfate, Kojic Acid
Skin Type: All skin types
Skin Benefit(s): Provides maximum antioxidant protection, reduces inflammation, prevents blemishes, heals and nourishes
Beauty Insider Tip: This serum also treats and soothes acne, rosacea, contact dermatitis, and even insect bites.
3. SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 242
350 reviews
$165.00
Sagging, loss of facial fullness, wrinkles and fine lines, and uneven texture become more noticeable as you age. This serum works hard to make sure your skin has everything it needs to stay youthful, healthy, and radiant. Infused with vitamin E, pure ceramides, natural cholesterol, and fatty acids, its rich and fast-absorbing formula improves elasticity, boosts moisture levels, and prevents the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while restoring the skin’s natural barrier and supporting self-repair.
Key Ingredients: Essential Lipids, Vitamin e, Essential Oils
Skin Type: All skin types
Skin Benefit(s): Replenishes essential skin lipids, improves texture and pore appearance, enhances overall radiance, promotes skin fullness and elasticity
Beauty Insider Tip: For supple and radiant skin, apply a small amount between your fingertips and melt onto skin using circular motions.
4. Revision Skincare® Brightening Facial Wash
313 reviews
$45.00
Sagging, loss of facial fullness, wrinkles and fine lines, and Cleanse the day away with this hardworking multi-action facial cleanser that combines alpha and beta hydroxy acids with brightening botanicals to remove impurities, deep-clean clogged pores, and exfoliate dead skin cells—all without stripping the skin of its natural moisture. The result? Refreshed and revitalized skin.
Key Ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Licorice, Lily Extract
Skin Type: Acne-Prone, Combination, Mature, Oily, Normal
Skin Benefit(s): Boosts radiance, gets rid of dead surface cells, prevents acne, provides antioxidant protection, cleanses without stripping
Beauty Insider Tip: If you’ve never used exfoliating acids before, limit your use to once daily or as tolerated by your skin. Otherwise, use both in the morning and night—just make sure to avoid the eye area and apply sunscreen during the day!
5. Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50
82 reviews
$54.00
Sunscreens have truly come a long way, and this mineral formula is a testament to that. It boasts of a buildable, tone-adapting, formula that not only gives your skin broad-spectrum protection but also lends a natural, blemish-blurring finish. The best part? Its all-mineral formula features a bio-available form of vitamin for maximum antioxidant support.
Key Ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Iron Oxides, Lipochroman®, Vital ET™, InfraGuard
Skin Type: All skin types
Skin Benefit(s): Protects skin from UVA/UVB rays, blue light, and infrared; provides medium color coverage; water-resistant up to 40 minutes; promotes hydration and antioxidant protection; non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic
Beauty Insider Tip: For an even, flawless canvas, layer under your foundation for fuller coverage.
6. One Love Organics Vitamin E Eye Balm
36 reviews
$49.00
Brighten your eyes with this vitamin E-enriched eye balm that deeply hydrates, nourishes, and revitalizes tired eyes. It reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and puffiness while promoting elasticity and protecting your delicate eye area from environmental damage.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Pomegranate
Skin Type: All skin types
Skin Benefit(s): Hydrates and calms irritation and sensitivity, reduces inflammation and puffiness, defends against environmental damage, smooths fine lines and wrinkles
Beauty Insider Tip: Use your ring finger to apply and gently massage around the eye area for smoother, more youthful skin.
7. Eminence Organic Skin Care Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil
91 reviews
$118.00
Give your skin the ultimate pampering with this luxurious face oil that blends rosehip oil with vitamins C and E to drench skin with intense hydration while boosting its antioxidant protection.
Key Ingredients: Rosehip Oil, Jojoba Oil, Vitamin C, Vitamin E
Skin Type: Combination, Mature, Normal
Skin Benefit(s): Restores elasticity, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, deeply nourishes and promotes radiance, alleviates redness, dryness, and itching; enhances protection against UV rays and environmental stressors
Beauty Insider Tip: This lightweight formula absorbs quickly and seamlessly, so you can reap all the skin-loving benefits of this facial oil without that icky, greasy feeling.
8. ClarityRx Cleanse Daily Vitamin-Infused Cleanser
1 reviews
$47.00
This gentle and ultra-nourishing cleanser works wonders when it comes to washing away impurities without stripping your skin. Its non-drying, antioxidant-powered formula is all you need to instantly achieve cleansed, refreshed, and naturally glowing skin.
Key Ingredients: Olive Oil, Rosehip Oil, Seaweed
Skin Type: All skin types
Skin Benefit(s): Removes impurities; protects and nourishes skin; maintains natural moisture balance
Beauty Insider Tip: For a radiant and renewed complexion, use this cleanser in the morning and evening.
9. ClarityRx Cleanse Daily Vitamin-Infused Cleanser
3 reviews
$88.00
A true game-changer, this anti-aging serum features a cutting-edge formula designed to transform, protect, and preserve your skin. Powered by superstar antioxidants, it shields the skin from environmental triggers while brightening the complexion, refining signs of aging, and smoothing out uneven texture.
Key Ingredients: Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, 3-O-ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Astaxanthin, Turmeric
Skin Type: Dry, Oily, Normal, Combination
Skin Benefit(s): Minimizes fine lines and wrinkles, brightens and reduces discoloration and hyperpigmentation, promotes bounce and elasticity, boosts radiance, delivers antioxidant defense
Beauty Insider Tip: For best results, apply three to four pumps on cleansed skin in the morning before your moisturizer. Make sure to use sunscreen after to prevent sensitivity.
FAQs
Which is Better, Vitamin E or Collagen?
Although vitamin E and collagen are both skincare essentials, they each have a specific purpose. “Vitamin E provides antioxidant protection and hydration, while collagen helps with skin firmness. Both play important roles, so incorporating both into your routine can be beneficial,” explains Dr. Magovern.
Can Vitamin E Help with Wrinkles?
Definitely! With its antioxidant properties, vitamin E quenches free radicals and prevents oxidative stress that contribute to premature skin aging. Plus, it supports hydration and the skin’s natural repair process, softening the look of wrinkles and improving texture over time.
Does Vitamin E Remove Dark Spots
By supporting skin repair, vitamin e helps fade dark spots and brighten discoloration over time. But for stronger results, Dr. Magovern suggests pairing vitamin E with brightening superstar vitamin C.
Is Vitamin E Good for the Under-Eyes?
Absolutely! Vitamin E’s nourishing and soothing properties can comfort and rejuvenate the delicate eye area. “It hydrates and protects the delicate under-eye area. However, use it in moderation—too much can feel heavy,” suggests Dr. Magovern.
The Bottom Line
Nourishing and hydrating, vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that works hard to boost the skin’s moisture levels, prevent free radical damage and oxidative stress, and support overall skin health. Vitamin E for skin can be found in serums, cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreens, and face oils, so incorporating it into your skincare routine is a breeze. And while this essential nutrient is well-tolerated by most skin types, those with acne-prone or very oily skin should opt for lighter, fast-absorbing formulations.
Janeca Racho is a Journalism graduate with over 15 years of writing experience. After getting her start in public relations and advertising, she made the switch to freelance writing and began working for various lifestyle, fashion, and travel brands. Her love for all things skincare has led her to beauty reporting and research for the last ten years. Writing for several hair and beauty blogs, she reports on anti-aging staples, trending brands and products, must-have ingredients, and health and wellness.
