There are a few life lessons we learned as a child that served us well in adulthood — eating vegetables, looking both ways before crossing the street, and being nice to people. And then there are lessons we should've paid more attention to, like incorporating vitamins [1] into our beauty routine.
Turns out, Mom was on to something. Vitamin E has a host of unexpected beauty benefits that are becoming more and more popular. Did you know that applying pure vitamin E oil can aid in sunburn relief and even help your hair grow? We suggest heading to your local drugstore and picking up a bottle of Jason Vitamin E 45,000 IU Pure Beauty Oil [2] STAT.
But don't get too excited; you should still eat veggies loaded with the vitamin when you can. "I recommend that patients still obtain their vitamin E naturally from foods that are rich in it, like eggs, avocado, almonds, spinach, sweet potato, sunflower seeds, butternut squash, and kale," said Dr. Barbara Sturm, the German aesthetics doctor behind the uberpopular vampire facial [3].
For best results, we're eating clean and applying pure vitamin E oil whenever possible. So read on for these vitamin E beauty benefits and thank your mom for having your aging skin in mind long before you did.
Wound Healing
Typically aloe vera comes to mind when we think of ways to naturally treat first-degree burns, but vitamin E can help, too.
"Although scientific evidence is limited, vitamin E has also been used in wound healing to improve the cosmetic outcome of burns and scars," said Dr. Amy Perlmutter of New York Dermatology Group.
Your body naturally creates collagen (a type of protein) that aids in creating a scar after you've damaged your skin. Vitamin E protects collagen and further supports the healing of damaged cells.
Here's what to do: After cleaning and cooling the burn with cool water, gently apply a few drops of pure vitamin E oil every one to four hours. Just remember if your skin is broken, wait a few days until it closes before applying.
Antiaging Properties
Even if you aren't tending to a burn, vitamin E can still aid in giving you beautiful skin.
"Pure vitamin E oil is used to treat wrinkles because it speeds up cell regeneration, promotes elasticity, and protects collagen fibers," Sturm said. "This creates an antiaging effect, which makes the skin look younger."
Apply a few drops of pure vitamin E on a cleansed face to improve your skin's elasticity and firmness.
Moisturizer
Sturm also suggested applying vitamin E to retain the skin's natural moisture content, which in turn can freshen the look of dull or dry skin.
For extradry skin, you can regularly use vitamin E oil in its purest form or you can apply Sunday Riley C.E.O. C + E Antioxidant Protect + Repair Moisturizer [4] to further support collagen regeneration.
Sunburn Relief
UVA and UVB rays are extremely damaging to your skin, and if you're not careful, they can cause major sunburn. But sometimes even with the best sunscreen, redness and irritation from the sun's rays can still occur.
Soothe these annoying burns with a few drops of vitamin E over the affected areas to increase moisture and minimize soreness.
Hair Growth
Vitamin E stimulates hair growth because it contains antioxidants that improve the circulation of blood to all parts of our body — including the scalp, explained Dr. Timm Golueke, a dermatologist and founder of Royal Fern. Gently massage vitamin E onto your scalp before bed for best results.
Better Nails
Want to maintain that supercute mani-pedi a little longer than two weeks? Thanks to vitamin E, your nail routine just became a little simpler.
"Apply a few drops of vitamin E oil to your nails and cuticles to moisturize, avoid cracking and splitting of nails, and generally improve health and glow," Sturm said.
Makeup Remover
Pure vitamin E oil can gently melt away all types of makeup with a few swipes. Follow up with your favorite facial cleanser for the ultimate cleanse.