Vitamin E is a vitamin found naturally in some foods that can also be bought in capsules. The vitamin has many benefits ranging from anti-aging properties to skin care. The vitamin can be used in topical form as an oil or ingested through food or capsules, and is readily available in all grocery stores and pharmacies. While there are many benefits of vitamin E oil, some are more well-known than others.
Antioxidants
According to the Good Herbal Health website, vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that is sometimes known as the “anti-aging vitamin.” The vitamin prevents oxidation in the body that eventually leads to aging. Antioxidants also help the body fight physical and mental stress caused by oxidation. It also reduces the appearance of age spots.
Treating Stretch Marks
Vitamin E can be used to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and wrinkles. Taking vitamin E when you’re pregnant can also help prevent stretch marks. Many stretch mark prevention creams contain vitamin E. The vitamin comes in capsules that can be pierced to let out the liquid and rub it on the old or new marks. Swallowing the pills is also said to help rejuvenate skin.
Reducing Scars
Similar to its benefits with stretch marks, vitamin E is said to help prevent the skin from scarring and to help reduce the appearance of scars. However, this benefit of vitamin E is controversial. Many studies have been done on the subject, and no conclusive evidence points to the vitamin helping or hurting scars. A 2007 “New York Times” article by Anahad O’Connor concluded the vitamin does not help scarring, but many dermatologists and alternative medicine fans still swear by the vitamin’s powers.
Relieving Sun Burns
According to Derma Doctor, a dermatologist-run website, vitamin E taken up to 8 hours after developing a sun burn reduces water loss and reduces the severity of the burn. Topical vitamin E and lotions or creams with vitamin E also help relieve sun burns. Before you go out in the sun, eating foods rich in vitamin E is said to protect your skin from burning.
Where to Find It
Vitamin E is found in fruits, green leafy vegetables, nuts, eggs, meats, whole grains and vegetable oils. In addition to being found in a variety of foods, vitamin E can also be bought in capsule form.
The Mayo Clinic cites recommendations by the American Heart Association to obtain vitamin E through a well-balanced diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains rather than through topical oils and creams.