Benefits of Vitamin E Capsules for Skin and Hair

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There are certain vitamins, which not only benefit our body from the inside but also beautify our skin and hair from outside. Vitamin E is the most common and one of the most effective options among them all. You may have found this ingredient in many skincare products, such as moisturizers, serums, eye creams, hair oils, hair conditioners, and so on. But did you know that this vitamin can directly be included in your beauty regime in the form of a simple capsule? If not, here is a quick guide to it for you. Today, we will discuss what exactly vitamin E capsules are, why they are beneficial for our skin and hair, and how you should make use of them. Stay tuned.

What is Vitamin E?

Vitamin E (tocopherol or tocopheryl acetate) refers to a group of eight different compounds, which are considered essential for our body for their antioxidant effects. The fat-soluble vitamin helps neutralize free radicals in the body (works best with vitamin C), which damage cells and contribute to a vast range of chronic ailments including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, liver damage, etc. It also helps in improving our metabolism as well as immunity while boosting stamina and vitality. Out of the eight different chemical forms of naturally-occurring vitamin E, alpha-tocopherols are known to be the most active ones in humans as they get absorbed into the body fast and fight free radicals effectively (1). The topical application of vitamin E also results in healthy and youthful skin along with shiny and lustrous hair. Hence, it is widely incorporated in skincare and hair care products (moisturizers, serums, anti-aging creams, shampoos, conditioners, etc.).

Being an essential vitamin for the body, vitamin E supports its overall development and maintenance. Deficiency of the nutrient may lead to dry skin, cataract, gastrointestinal issues, leg cramps, mild anemia, fertility problems, decreased libido, etc.

Different Sources of Vitamin E

Vitamin E is naturally found in our bodies as well as certain healthy food items. The most common natural sources of vitamin E include vegetable oil, sunflower seed, peanut, pine nut, almond, avocado, blackberry, meat, cereal, egg, spinach, kale, parsley, swiss chard, turnip greens, mustard greens, etc. (2) However, if you are unable to fulfill your needs for vitamin E naturally, there is always a way to turn to dietary vitamin E supplements. Topical vitamin E products like pure vitamin E oil are used either directly or in combination with other commercial products for enhancing the health and appearance of skin and hair.

For adults, the recommended daily intake of Vitamin E is 12-15 milligrams (3). This can easily be obtained by having a balanced, nutritious diet.

What are Vitamin E Capsules?

Vitamin E capsules are oral vitamin E supplements available in the form of capsules. The only active ingredient found in these capsules is tocopheryl acetate, which works by slowing down the process of the cell damage caused by antioxidation. Though doctors primarily prescribe vitamin E capsules for treating the deficiency of the nutrient in the body, it may also provide symptomatic relief in several other disorders. Apart from scavenging free radicals, they regulate cholesterol levels, lowers blood pressure, restores hormonal balance, and improves physical endurance.

Benefits of Vitamin E Capsules for Skin

Vitamin E plays a significant role in aiding healthy and glowing skin. Here are some ways to make these ‘magic’ capsules work wonder for your skin:

1. Protects from Sun Damage

The antioxidant properties of vitamin E protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Though the capsules are not a complete replacement for your sunscreen, they may protect your skin from drying out due to prolonged sun exposure. They may also prevent the formation of sunburns and provide you relief from minor sunburn damage.

2. Slows Down Aging

The production of collagen in our body reduces with age, which makes the skin lose its elasticity and firmness. This gives rise to various signs of aging including wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, and sagging skin. Vitamin E is known to act as a natural agent that delays the process of aging and prevents new lines from appearing on the face. The powerful antioxidant properties of the vitamin promote the production of collagen in the body, which speeds up cell regeneration to restore the elasticity and firmness of the skin. (4)

3. Reduces Blemishes and Scars

Being rich in antioxidants, vitamin E reduces skin damage caused by overexposure to the sun, hormonal imbalance, too much stress, environmental pollution, poor eating practices, lack of sleep, and an unhealthy lifestyle. These mostly include hyperpigmentation, melasma, dark spots, blemishes, and so on (5). The vitamin also stimulates the regeneration of skin cells and encourages the production of collagen, which cumulatively helps in minimizing acne scarring or fading it away.

4. Treats Stretch Marks

Stretch marks, which appear on the skin due to excessive stretch of fibers, can be quite an eyesore for us. While the affected parts of the skin always try to repair themselves naturally, the process is slowed down by the free radicals. Vitamin E may help you treat these marks effectively and fade them away over the course of time by promoting cell regeneration in the body.

5. Keeps the Skin Moisturized

Do you suffer from dry, flaky skin? Well, vitamin E may come to your rescue here. It acts as a fabulous moisturizer rich in antioxidants that not only moisturize the skin but also add a healthy glow to it. People with chapped lips may also find this vitamin extremely useful. Its moisturizing properties will soften and smoothen the lips while new cells will come to the surface faster with its ability to increase cell turnover. Vitamin E may also alleviate certain skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, etc. to some extent by soothing itchy, irritated, and burning skin.

6. Acts As a Cleanser

Vitamin E is a heavy emollient that effectively removes dirt and other impurities from the skin while maintaining its pH balance perfectly.

7. Strengthens Nails

Apply vitamin E oil on your cuticles and nails before going to bed and you will be surprised to see the effects. It not only treats brittle nails by improving hydration levels in them but also promotes their growth by boosting blood circulation. The vitamin also averts yellow nail syndrome while preventing cracked cuticles around nail beds.

Benefits of Vitamin E Capsules for Hair

Adding vitamin E capsules to your daily hair care regime is great for both your scalp and locks. Check out the potential benefits that you can enjoy this way:

1. Treats Split Ends

Split ends are the sign of dry and damaged hair. If not taken care of, they can affect your hair shafts, thus making your hair appear limp and unhealthy. Vitamin E may treat this common hair problem to a huge extent as it hydrates hair strands and nourishes them from roots to tips.

2. Stimulates Healthy Growth

Mix this oil with another one such as coconut or jojoba oil and massage it on your scalp. This improves blood circulation throughout the scalp and leads to the growth of healthier-looking hair. (6)

3. Prevents Premature Graying

The most common reason behind graying is oxidative stress, which occurs when the body cannot produce enough antioxidants to treat the damage caused by accumulated free radicals. Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant, helps prevent this process, which reduces the chance of premature graying significantly.

4. Normalises Oil Production

The main cause of hair fall is an unhealthy scalp caused by the excessive production of oil (sebum) in it (7). Excess oil tends to clog hair follicles, which leads to issues like dandruff and itchy scalp. Vitamin E fights against this by delivering an adequate amount of moisture to the scalp, thus balancing out the pH levels and regulating the production of sebum.

5. Conditions Hair

Regular exposure to chemicals and heat leads to increased hair fall and dry hair. Use Vitamin E to combat this problem owing to its natural hair conditioning properties. It seals moisture in hair shafts and keeps them moisturized, leaving you with smooth and lustrous locks.

How to Use Vitamin E Capsules?

Just cut open the vitamin E capsule and apply its content directly all over your facial skin or scalp. Massage with your finger pads until it gets absorbed completely. You can also add the vitamin E capsule content to your go-to moisturizer, serum, mask, etc., and use the mixture on your face. Also, combine it with your hair oil, shampoo, conditioner, or mask for improved texture and shine of your locks.

Side Effects of Vitamin E

The topical application of vitamins has been reported to be absolutely safe. But too much intake of this vitamin through diet or supplement may lead to adverse effects. Some common side effects of vitamin E overdose are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, rashes, allergic reactions, fatigue, blurry vision, increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke, weaker bones, and so on.

Summary:

Vitamin E or tocopherol is a group of eight different essential compounds having strong antioxidant properties. The fat-soluble vitamin helps neutralize free radicals in the body, thus preventing cell damage and averting several chronic ailments like cardiovascular diseases, cancer, liver damage, etc. It also helps in improving metabolism, immunity, stamina, and vitality. Alpha-tocopherols are the most active vitamin E in human body. Some natural sources of the vitamin include vegetable oil, sunflower seed, peanut, pine nut, almond, avocado, blackberry, meat, cereal, egg, spinach, kale, parsley, swiss chard, turnip greens, mustard greens, etc. However, you can also opt for oral vitamin E supplements or vitamin E capsules to fulfill your deficiency. Topical vitamin E products like pure vitamin E oil are used either directly or in combination with other commercial products for enhancing the health and appearance of skin and hair. The topical application of vitamin E capsules offers healthy and youthful skin along with shiny and lustrous hair. Hence, it is widely incorporated in skincare and hair care products.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can We Take Vitamin E Capsules Daily?

As long as you are following the RDA (recommended daily allowance) for vitamin E, you can take it daily. But make sure that you consult your doctor beforehand to understand whether you really need it or not.

Do Vitamin E Capsules Increase Weight?

Vitamin E has been found to increase body mass as well as weight in mice. However, its effects on human body weight are yet to be studied.

What is the Best Time to Take Vitamin E?

The best time to take vitamin E is during lunch and you should take it along with your food.

Does Vitamin E Whiten Skin?

No, vitamin E is not meant for skin whitening. However, it may lighten the hyperpigmented areas of the skin while fading away dark spots and blemishes considerably.

Is Vitamin E Bad for Oily Skin?

Due to its thick and greasy consistency, vitamin E is not considered as an ideal solution for oily skin.

References:

“The Benefits of Vitamin E“, Healthline.com
“20 Foods That are High in Vitamin E“, Healthline.com
“Vitamin E“, ods.od.nih.gov
“Skin Photoaging and the Role of Antioxidants in Its Prevention“, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
“Vitamin E in Dermatology“, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
“Effects of Tocotrienol Supplementation on Hair Growth in Human Volunteers“, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
“The Role of Oxidative Damage in Poor Scalp Health: Ramifications to Causality and Associated Hair Growth“, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Benefits of Vitamin E Capsules for Skin and Hair (with Uses and Side Effects)