This Vitamin Is Essential for Healthy Hair and Skin, and It's So Easy to Use
When it comes to healthy skin and hair, there are a lot of ingredients that can help both really thrive. We know biotin (a B vitamin) can help with hair growth and strength. Vitamin A (like retinoids) is the holy grail when it comes to anti-aging protection and reviving dull skin. Zinc can also help relieve some of the redness and irritation caused by acne.
There's also vitamin E, which is a powerful nutrient that protects both the skin and hair. "It is a natural antioxidant which helps to protect the skin and hair from external factors such as pollution, free radicals, and harmful UV rays," explains dermatological nurse and celebrity aesthetician Natalie Aguilar. "It also acts as a natural humectant and helps to soothe and hydrate the skin and scalp. It helps by retaining moisture and may reduce inflammation. It can also help repair dry, damaged hair. It's also a wonderful natural preservative alternative that's used in both skin and hair products."
In the beauty world, vitamin E normally comes in the form of an oil. "Vitamin E can be naturally derived or synthetically made," Aguilar says. "When sourced naturally, vitamin E is extracted from plants or seeds. It can also be made synthetically in a lab." When shopping for vitamin E oil, she recommends looking for organic options.
Most people can benefit from vitamin E oil, especially those with dry skin. "It's great for helping to retain moisture for dry or mature skin types," Aguilar explains. "It also helps to soothe those with reactive and sensitive skin. When it comes to ingesting vitamin E, it's always a great idea to nourish your body with a well-balanced diet that's high in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. If you would like to incorporate a supplement, always seek advice from your healthcare professional."
If you want to try out vitamin E oil or a skincare product with vitamin E, do a spot test first to see if you notice any irritation or an allergic reaction. For application, Aguilar recommends applying a thin layer of the oil before bed (only as needed) for extra hydration to help repair the skin overnight.
Take a look at some skincare and haircare products with vitamin E below if you want to try it out for its hydrating and soothing benefits.
"I like a simple yet organic and cruelty-free vitamin E oil by Cliganic. It's 100% pure and natural and is always deeply nourishing," Aguilar says.
In addition to vitamin C and ferulic acid, this editor-favorite serum contains 1% vitamin E which works to neutralize free radicals and replenish skin lipids. Trust me—the serum will leave your skin absolutely glowy. It's a must-have on my bathroom counter.
You can use this nourishing vitamin E oil over the body to deeply moisturize and condition dry skin. In addition to vitamin E, it's formulated with other oils like sunflower seed, safflower seed, avocado, and sweet almond.
Olaplex's lightweight hair oil works to repair damage, protect against heat, fight frizz, and maintain your hair color. One of the key ingredients is grape-seed oil, which is rich in vitamins E, C, and D; beta-carotene; essential fatty acids; and polyphenols. Add a small amount to damp or dry hair and style.
Sometimes washing your face can dry out your skin if you're not using the right product. This cleansing oil is infused with olive oil and vitamin E to leave the skin hydrated and soft. The hardworking formula can get rid of makeup, excess oil, dirt, and impurities.
Marula oil is rich in antioxidants, including vitamin E, plus omegas 6 and 9. It revives dull and dry skin, leaving it nourished and glowy.
Aside from vitamin E, other key ingredients in this face oil include seaberry oil to moisturize and protect against free radicals, cranberry seed oil to smooth and maintain elasticity, and camellia seed oil to retain moisture.
Murad's face oil has all the vitamins: A to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, B to balance oil production, C to brighten, D to improve the skin barrier, F to improve texture, and E to protect against free radicals.
Playa's hair oil penetrates deeply into the hair and infuses it with vitamins E and K and antioxidants. It targets frizz and flyaways, restores moisture, and protects.
If you're dealing with stretch marks and scars, you can use this oil to help make them less noticeable. The oil is a blend of vitamin A, vitamin E, and chamomile, sunflower, and lavender oils.
This serum pretty much does it all: It treats acne, rosacea, contact dermatitis, and insect bites. The key ingredient is vitamin C, but vitamins E and A play a role here in conditioning, nourishing, and delivering antioxidant protection.
For frizzy and dried-out strands, use R+C's moisturizing cream on towel-dried hair. It delivers shine and makes your hair much more manageable for styling. Ingredients include sodium PCA (which absorbs moisture from the air), sunflower seed extract, vitamins E and B5, and argan oil.
Just a small drop of this vitamin E oil will go a long way to relieve itchiness, reduce the appearance of stretch marks, and improve fine lines and wrinkles. Since the formula is pure vitamin E oil, the consistency is a bit thick, so you can mix it with jojoba or rose-hip seed oils to use it as a moisturizer.
Get bouncy and radiant skin with this face oil from Mara. It's rich in vitamins E, A, B, C, and F, plus algae, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and essential fatty acids. And best of all, it's a clean formula so you don't have to worry about any suspicious add-ons.
Vitamin E and chamomile are the main ingredients in this lightweight face moisturizer that's a total bestseller. It absorbs quickly into the skin to leave it softer, more balanced, and calm. It also works really well as a base for foundation.
One of the ingredients in this hair product is hydrating safflower oil, which contains vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids. It's also formulated with rosemary leaf oil which has invigorating properties and avocado oil to moisturize and soften. Apply a small amount to your scalp and hair and massage before shampooing.
Getting its vitamin E from barbary figs, this rich body cream addresses fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid in this formula plumps the skin, while anti–blue light actives protect against blue light and pollutants. Use it on both your face and neck for best results.
Palmer's is such a classic brand and its lightweight body oil doesn't disappoint. Smooth it all over your skin to deal with dryness and roughness.
Next: This Prescription Cream Hits Backspace on Wrinkles—Here's the User Manual
Sarah is lifestyle writer and editor with over 10 years of experience covering health and wellness, interior design, food, beauty, and tech. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she attended New York University and lived in New York for 12 years before returning to L.A. in 2019. In addition to her work on THE/THIRTY and Who What Wear, she held editor roles at Apartment Therapy, Real Simple, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, and The Bump (sister site of The Knot). She has a passion for health and wellness, but she especially loves writing about mental health. Her self-care routine consists of five things: a good workout, “me” time on the regular, an intriguing book/podcast/playlist to unwind after a long day, naps, and decorating her home.