Most people think of vitamins in relation to their nutritional benefits. But have you ever thought of vitamins in terms of their skincare benefits? After all, many of our favourite skincare products feature vitamins. While Vitamin C is celebrated for its skin-brightening properties and Vitamin A is lauded for its anti-ageing benefits, Vitamin E is mostly known for its moisturising prowess. But that’s not all it can do.
In this blog, we will introduce you to this skincare ingredient, where it comes from and how it can help improve your skin. We’ll also present you with a handful of The Body Shop’s staples with vitamin E that you can incorporate into your daily skincare routine. So, read on for your guide to vitamin E skin care.
What is Vitamin E?
Vitamin E belongs to a family of fat-soluble antioxidants that is naturally found in our body, especially in the skin and fatty tissues. Since our bodies cannot produce vitamin E, we can obtain it from plant-based foods, including nuts, seeds and green leafy vegetables. Now, there are eight subtypes of vitamin E that can be applied directly to our skin and of these, tocopherol is the most common type.
Tocopherol is frequently found in skincare products like facial oils, serums and creams as it absorbs well into the skin. It is also the only form of vitamin E that’s recognised to meet human requirements and is the safest to apply topically. So, if you’re someone who likes to read the ingredient label carefully, you’re likely to find vitamin E mentioned as tocopherol in your favourite serum or cream.
What Does Vitamin E Do For Your Skin?
- Strengthens your skin barrier
Besides being a powerful antioxidant, vitamin E is also a great humectant. Humectants help reduce the loss of moisture. As a result, vitamin E helps your skin retain moisture. Additionally, it promotes a strong moisture barrier, ensures your skin stays hydrated and minimises the risk of skin sensitivity.
- Provides intense hydration
Vitamin E is also a known emollient, which moisturises the skin deeply and keeps dryness at bay. If you have dry skin, we recommend The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream. This Body Shop vitamin E cream provides intense hydration for up to 72 hours by combining the benefits of two hydration heroes: vitamin E and hyaluronic acid.
- Combats free-radical damage
Using Vitamin E for skin delivers a great dose of antioxidants, which help prevent and neutralise the damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals can develop after exposure to environmental stressors like pollution and UV radiation.
- Treats hyperpigmentation
Vitamin E can also help fade hyperpigmented areas on your skin. For best results, you can pair it with vitamin C as they’re both powerful antioxidants and work well on pigmentation. If you have pigmented, dehydrated skin, try using The Body Shop Vitamin E Bi-Phase Serum, which absorbs quickly into the skin and hydrates the skin for up to 30 hours.
- Protects from UV exposure
Surprisingly, vitamin E also acts as a natural barrier against UVB light, which causes skin damage and wrinkles. However, its scope of protection is limited, so don’t make it an excuse to forego your sunscreen. To maximise your sun protection, you can combine a vitamin E lotion with your sunscreen.
- Prevents signs of ageing
Since vitamin E is high in antioxidants, topical use of vitamin E can help promote blood circulation, add firmness to the skin and delay wrinkles and ageing of the skin. Signs of ageing are most evident around the eyes, so using a vitamin E eye cream like The Body Shop Vitamin E Eye Cream can smoothen the fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and leave them brightened and refreshed.
- Fades acne scars
Vitamin E is also lauded for its wound-healing properties, which make it an effective ally against stubborn acne scars and dark spots. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory properties can help soothe any redness or irritation associated with active acne. Consistent use of vitamin E skincare products during breakouts can even help prevent scarring.
- Boosts cellular restoration
Among the many vitamin E skin benefits is its ability to bring new cells to the surface. As a result, it can speed up healing, cell turnover and regeneration. This makes it a great addition to sleep masks so your skin can replenish overnight. If you want to get the most out of your beauty sleep, try The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Sleeping Mask. Its lightweight, bouncy formula leaves the skin looking plump with moisture.
All in all, vitamin E has numerous benefits, from intense hydration and sun protection to the prevention of premature ageing and acne scarring. So, incorporating vitamin E skin care products into your beauty routine can help you unlock healthy-looking skin.
Also Read: Why every skincare brand is using Vitamin C
