The Tamesis
It can be said that every nutrient is essential for skin health. After all, the body operates as a complete system, and when a defect occurs in one part, the entire system is affected. Think about how a bad night’s sleep or dehydration can affect your overall vibe, not to mention the appearance of your skin.
Of course, certain vitamins and minerals are absolutely necessary to achieve a radiant complexion. Vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc – just to name a few. However, among these star nutrients, one really stands out: vitamin E.
Case in point: the global market for natural vitamin E has surged in the past decade. In 2018, its valuation exceeded US$672 million; by the end of 2032, it is expected to reach more than US$1.8 billion. These astronomical figures, combined with the exponential increase in Google searches, illustrate the scale of this phenomenon while also reaffirming the central role of nutrition in today’s beauty concept, which prioritizes aspects like cell longevity and conscious aging over fleeting trends and marketing ploys.
“Vitamin E has been considered an important ally in skin care for decades,” explains Dr. Alejandra Mora, expert in cosmetic medicine and nutrition. “Now, this fat-soluble micronutrient, whose absorption and storage depends on a diet rich in healthy fats, is regaining its rightful place even outside of skin care products.”
Although vitamin E is what Mora calls a true “skin bodyguard,” it’s important to note that the body cannot produce vitamin E on its own. Therefore, it must be obtained entirely through diet and supplementation. Read on to learn all the details about this essential vitamin that promotes healthy skin, including what to eat to ensure you stay full.
Vitamin E Benefits for Skin and Hair
Vitamin E is known for its significant benefits for skin and hair health. Not only is it a powerful antioxidant, but it also provides hydration and protection. “Vitamin E is an important fat-soluble antioxidant that has been used in dermatology for more than 50 years,” states a recent scientific review. “It acts as a free radical scavenger, protecting the skin from various harmful effects caused by solar radiation.” Another study also noted that it may also aid in hair growth. Below, let’s take a look at its specific properties and mechanisms:
Antioxidant properties: “Vitamin E neutralizes free radicals, unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress, which can lead to premature aging,” Mora said. “It is also involved in the formation of red blood cells, promotes tissue oxygenation and helps maintain the balance of cellular structure.”
Moisturizing: “It provides extra moisture and helps maintain the skin barrier. Not surprisingly, this is why it is widely used in cosmetics to smooth fine lines and improve skin elasticity,” notes Mora.
Promote skin repair: “As an emollient that retains moisture, it softens the skin and promotes its ability to repair itself, making it particularly useful for scars, burns, redness and blemishes.”
Protect: “Vitamin E acts like a shield, boosting defenses against environmental damage, such as redness caused by cold. It also boosts sun protection,” adds Mora.
Strengthens hair: “It prevents and reduces hair breakage and improves circulation to the scalp,” says Mora. “In this way, it helps make hair stronger, more resistant and vibrant.”
Vitamin E benefits for overall health
Of course, vitamin E’s benefits aren’t limited to skin and hair. In fact, its effects on a range of general health factors are quite impressive: “Many people claim that vitamin E has the potential to promote health, prevent, and treat disease. The mechanisms by which vitamin E provides this protection include its function as an antioxidant and its role in anti-inflammatory processes, inhibiting platelet aggregation, and enhancing immunity,” notes the National Institutes of Health. “In addition to its activity as an antioxidant, vitamin E is also involved in immune function and has been shown primarily through in vitro studies of cells, cell signaling, regulation of gene expression, and other metabolic processes.” All of this adds up to some considerable benefits, as Mora explains below.
