Vitamin E Oil for Face: Can You Use It as Overnight Anti-Aging Treatment?

Your body needs vitamin E to build and support your immune system and help regenerate your cells. In addition, it is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. These alone explain why you should get enough of it. But perhaps the most curious benefit comes in the skincare use – not a few people swear by the anti-aging effects of vitamin E when applied topically to the face overnight, giving a younger look and feel.

In this article, we’ll see whether vitamin E is effective as an overnight anti-aging treatment.

The effectiveness of vitamin E

Vitamin E oil is widely used in skincare and anti-aging products due to its powerful properties. It is a fat-soluble antioxidant with moisturizing, conditioning, and healing benefits for the skin. These properties protect cells from damage, which can cause premature aging. Environmental pollution and UV light also increase exposure to free radicals.

You really can use vitamin E oil as an overnight anti-aging treatment. With a thick consistency, the best time to apply it is before bedtime. This allows your skin to absorb it fully.

If you apply vitamin E in the morning, you may struggle to use your serums or makeup on top of it.

Instead, you can add vitamin E to an oil mixture or serum as an all-over facial treatment to make things easier. When applied topically as an oil, vitamin E can enhance the efficacy of other active ingredients. This differs from using vitamin E for spot-treatment of a blemish or taking a vitamin E oral supplement. As an anti-inflammatory, it helps reduce redness and skin inflammation.

A study published in the Indian Dermatology Online Journal found that most anti-aging creams sold over the counter contain 0.05–1.0% vitamin E. Therefore, when purchasing an anti-aging cream, you must look for a product with a high alpha-tocopherol concentration. Alternatively, you can look for pure vitamin E oil.

Using vitamin E for anti-aging benefits

To get it right, here is the best way to apply vitamin E to your face as an overnight anti-aging treatment:

• First, you wash your face well. The aim is to clean your makeup or other skin products that may be on your face. After washing, you rinse your face with lukewarm water.
• Mix a drop or two of pure vitamin E oil with ten drops of carrier oil. Examples of carrier oil include coconut oil, almond oil, or jojoba oil.
• Apply the vitamin E mixture or serum to your skin with your fingers. Next, rub the serum over your face in circular motions. This way, the circulation to your face will be stimulated, and the product will spread out.
• After applying the vitamin E oil, wait for at least 30 minutes before allowing your face to rest on a surface. Repeat this treatment once or twice a week as a skincare routine. The treatment should be done an hour before bedtime.

Other vitamin E products you can use on your face

There’s a chance that your daily diet may already be rich in vitamin E, but supplementing your vitamin E intake through healthy natural foods can boost cell synthesis and keep you healthy overall.

Examples of Vitamin E-rich foods include blackberries, avocados, and almonds.

Oral vitamin E supplements

Oral vitamin E supplements can support your nutritional requirements. Vitamin E oral supplements make your skin glow and look younger. Oral supplements are widely available in health food stores and online marketplaces.

According to the National Institutes of Health, adults should take no more than 15 milligrams of vitamin E daily.

Vitamin E for spot treatment

Topical vitamin E products have been used as spot treatments for acne scars. However, studies on whether they work or not are inconclusive.

To give it a try, use pure vitamin E oil. Alternatively, you can use a product with a high concentration of alpha-tocopherol. Apply the product to the affected area (the scar). Allow the product to absorb before you blot it dry thoroughly.

Though it may be challenging to make up an area that has been spot-treated, it may be best not to do a spot treatment overnight. Also, remember that vitamin E has a thick consistency and can clog pores, which isn’t good for acne.

Vitamin E beauty masks

Vitamin E beauty mask treatments have anti-aging and skin-softening benefits. Beauty masks blended with vitamin E are usually paired with vitamin C and other healthy ingredients.

For a quick homemade mask, mix some mashed avocado, honey, a squeeze of lemon juice (fresh), almond oil, and vitamin E oil. Rub the mixture on your face and allow it to stand for at least 10 minutes and up to 20 minutes maximum. It will help soften and brighten your face.

If you want a little more sophistication with your face mask, this affordable and simple recipe can get you started:

Ingredients:

• 1 vitamin E capsule
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt

Instructions:

• Mix the honey and plain yogurt together in a small bowl.
• Cut open the vitamin E capsule and add the oil to the honey and yogurt mixture.
• Mix well until the ingredients are fully combined.
• Apply the mixture to your face, avoiding the eye area.
• Leave the mask on for 15–20 minutes.
• Rinse the mask off with warm water and pat your face dry with a clean towel.

Do not forget that vitamin E is a fat-soluble Vitamin. This means that it can build up in your skin.

Restrict vitamin E treatments to at most twice a week. This will keep your pores from clogging.

Benefits of vitamin E to your face

Vitamin E oil helps your face in many ways. First, however, I should say that most evidence backing these claims is anecdotal.

Prevents aging and wrinkles

Vitamin E contains a high level of antioxidants and influences blood circulation. If you apply vitamin E oil topically, after a while, you’ll notice a stark difference in the structure and firmness of your skin.

A review published in the Journal ISRN Dermatology showed that vitamin E generally delays the formation of wrinkles (also known as photoaging).

Hyperpigmentation

Dark skin patches may sometimes be caused by excess melanin. This condition is called melasma. Melasma may be treated through topical application of vitamin E.

To effectively treat hyperpigmentation, it is recommended that you pair vitamin E with vitamin C.

Vitamin E – safety & precautions:

It is worth mentioning that using vitamin E is not effective for everyone, especially for those with pores that clog fast and people who experience frequent acne breakouts. Applying vitamin E oil can worsen your symptoms if you belong to these categories.

You may take oral supplements for a while but taking vitamin E supplements over a year can result in their accumulation in your body. Excess vitamin E in your bloodstream can cause blood thinning.

If you have a bleeding condition or are currently taking blood thinners, please consult your healthcare provider before taking vitamin E supplements.