How to Use Vitamin E Capsules For Skin, According to Dermatologists
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Fact checked by Anna HarrisReviewed by Julia A. Siegel, MD
Remember being a little kid and being mesmerized by those golden-colored vitamin E capsules your mom probably had stashed on the counter? Us, too. But do those vitamin E capsules actually work on the skin? And what's the benefit of using a capsule rather than straight vitamin E oil? To answer all of these questions, we went straight to the experts.
Spoiler alert: there is a major benefit as to why using the capsule form of vitamin E– and skincare capsules in general– can be beneficial. And that is because "it is in its purest form and is protected from breakdown by the gel capsule itself," says scientist and founder of OPULUS Beauty Labs Robb Akridge.
For more on how vitamin E capsules work and how to use them, keep scrolling.
Meet the Experts
Joshua Zeichner, MD is a board-certified dermatologist at the Skin and Laser Center at Mount Sinai, in NYC.
Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, is a board-certified cosmetic, medical and surgical dermatologist who specializes in facial rejuvenation, advanced laser procedures, non-invasive body contouring and is an expert in treating medical conditions such as skin cancer, acne, and eczema.
Robb Akridge is a scientist and founder of OPULUS Beauty Labs.
What Is Vitamin E?
"Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that can help calm inflammation, prevent free-radical damage, and even skin tone," says board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner. Thanks to those aforementioned antioxidant perks, scientist and founder of OPULUS Beauty Labs Robb Akridge explains that the vitamin may have the ability to bind up free radicals (known to cause skin damage), in turn benefiting the skin.
The Benefits of Vitamin E on Skin
"Vitamin E is an antioxidant that scavenges free radicals to protect skin against oxidative damage. It is also highly moisturizing and skin-nourishing. Vitamin E has been shown to have photoprotective properties as well," explains dermatologist, Blair Murphy-Rose. (
"Here is where science and cosmetics blur," Akridge explains. "Vitamin E has many benefits in the body. It helps cells function, it can help boost your immune system, and it is thought to help skin health from within. Many believe that by applying it to the skin it can have the same benefits, but while vitamin E capsules may help neutralize radicals when immediately applied, the other benefits I've mentioned might not necessarily apply when applied topically."
Even though all three experts I spoke to agreed that using vitamin E capsules on the skin (and incorporating the ingredient in general within your routine) likely has benefits, there are a few things to consider. For one, while vitamin E has proven benefits when ingested, the waters are murky as far as what the vitamin does for the skin topically—some hail the vitamin's gel as a miracle-working cure-all and some say it doesn't do much of anything.
How Do Vitamin E Capsules Work?
"Vitamin E capsules contain vitamin E that can be ingested or cut open and topically applied. The pure or nearly pure vitamin E in a carrier oil goes to work directly on the skin," explains Dr. Murphy-Rose.
So yes, there's the fact that the gel housed inside the capsules we buy aren't pure vitamin E. Instead, as Akridge explains, they also typically contain carrier oils like soybean oil or glycerin. Of course, the combination of vegetable oil and the antioxidants of vitamin E won't hurt you; at the very least it will likely hydrate the skin, but that could be as far as the benefits go.
Our suggestion? Experiment with both straight vitamin E gel from a capsule and an expertly formulated E-infused skincare pick to see what works best for your skin concerns.
That said, if you're going to apply vitamin E directly to the skin on your face (versus a scar on another part of your body), Dr. Zeichner advises paying heed to your skin type. Since vitamin E is oil-soluble, it may be lusciously hydrating (a blessing during the doldrums of winter), but because it is a heavier oil, Dr. Zeichner only recommends the oil to his patients with dry skin.
Byrdie Tip
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you may want to avoid the use of vitamin E since oils may cause new or worsen existing breakouts.
How to Apply Vitamin E Capsules Directly to Skin
According to Akridge, the best way to use a vitamin E capsule directly on the skin is as follows. He recommends first cutting the end of a vitamin E capsule with scissors. (Make sure they're clean and freshly sanitized). Then, squeeze the capsule's gel onto your fingertip and apply it by rubbing it on the desired area. "I suggest keeping your finger on the skin to increase the warmth, as warm products tend to absorb better," he says.
Vitamin E Skincare vs. Capsules
While Dr. Zeichner does say applying vitamin E directly from the capsule might have benefits for the skin, he also points out that it's hard to know exactly how stable this kind of vitamin E is when it's applied to the skin and whether or not it's able to penetrate through the outer layer. Thus, he recommends opting for a more traditionally formulated skincare product in lieu of a straight capsule as they have tested for both stability and effectiveness.
"Vitamin E, in some cosmetic and/or skincare formulations, may not boast the high concentration needed to see results, and the vitamin E in those kinds of products floats among many other ingredients which could potentially bind up the vitamin, preventing it from providing benefit to the skin." That said, Akridge adds that certain formulas are reputable in efficacy, as they've been scientifically researched and created for maximum results.
The Takeaway
Vitamin E can be a helpful part of your skincare routine, especially if you deal with dryness or when used in a vitamin C formula, as it can help to stabilize vitamin C. In general, vitamin E is typically well-tolerated by most skin types, bust should be avoided if you have acne-prone skin. As always, it's best to consult a dermatologist before adding a new ingredient or product to your skincare routine.
Up Next: The 11 Best Vitamin C Serums We Tested and Recommend For Glowing Skin
Read the original article on Byrdie.