You’ve probably already heard about the effectiveness of rubbing a crushed aspirin pill directly on your pimple - it’s one of the oldest DIY at-home spot treatments and tricks in the book. But have you ever thought about doing the same thing with a vitamin E capsule?
This idea is all the rage now. Thousands of people swear by vitamin E oil, and many have tried to prove that it works equally for acne and scars. But is this just another case of pseudoscience, or can vitamin E actually help tame acne and keep your skin smooth?
How Can Vitamin E Help with Acne?
So can vitamin E capsules remove pimples?
Well, vitamin E oil contains a high number of antioxidants, which are widely known to tame acne and acne scars, all the while preventing future acne breakouts. Antioxidants fight harmful free radicals that are in the body, which are one of the most prominent causes of acne in the first place.
Vitamin E Oil Brightens Skin Tone
Other than treating acne, vitamin E also has skin-brightening properties. It hydrates and gives you that natural skin glow.
The skin-whitening effect of vitamin E makes it a perfect option for people who suffer from acne, hyperpigmentation, and dry skin.
Vitamin E Oil Combats Signs of Aging
On top of that, you can use vitamin E to treat premature signs of aging, including wrinkles, dark circles, and fine lines, delaying the signs of aging.
Vitamin E also plays a role in controlling the production of our skin proteins, such as elastin and collagen, which give the skin elasticity and a youthful look. Collagen is also responsible for strengthening the skin and providing hydration, helping you achieve that healthy glow.
Vitamin E Oil Moisturizes
When your skin becomes overly dry, it can produce excess sebum, which leads to acne. Putting vitamin E on your skin will prevent this and provide natural moisture for dry and flaky skin. In addition, vitamin E also retains your natural oils, which are crucial for healthy skin.
Dry patches make your skin feel irritated and itchy, making you more likely to touch your face with your hands. And since we all know that that leads to acne, applying a hydrating vitamin E oil can help.
Vitamin E can also treat other skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, due to its moisturizing properties and anti-inflammatory properties.
It’s important to note that vitamin E is fat-soluble, meaning it's easily absorbed into the skin and works faster than other treatment options.
Vitamin E Oil Improves Blood Circulation
There's also research to back up the claim that vitamin E oil facilitates healthy blood flow, which is helpful if you often have cold hands or feet and need to improve your blood circulation.
Now we’ve discussed all the benefits of this magical oil, let’s delve into how to use a vitamin E capsule directly on a pimple.
How to Use a Vitamin E Capsule for Acne
The liquid extract from vitamin E capsules is very potent and effective for treating pimples. All you need to do is pierce the capsule with a needle and apply the extract directly on the area you wish to treat, which can either be a zit or a dark spot. Leave it on for a couple of hours and then wash it off.
Can I Leave a Vitamin E Capsule on my Face Overnight?
If you want to let the treatment work for a longer period, your best option is to leave the vitamin E capsule on your face overnight to work its magic. Your skin will repair and refresh while you sleep, meaning you'll wake up with a brighter complexion, even skin tone, and a much smaller pimple, helping you achieve that healthy glow.
Leaving vitamin E on your skin overnight is much more effective than washing it off twenty minutes later. If you need to cover a larger area, double up and use two vitamin E capsules.
Other Vitamin E Treatment Options
If you can’t get your hands on vitamin E capsules, substitute them with vitamin E oil. You can find pure oil in most drugstores and healthy food shops at a reasonable price.
You can also opt for skincare products containing pure vitamin E oil. While reading the ingredients of cosmetic products can be a bore, it’s a bulletproof way to ensure you reap all the benefits from this oil.
DIY Vitamin E Face Masks
Homemade face masks are a fun home remedy to improve your skincare routine. However, if you want to go the extra mile and provide deeper nourishment for your acne-prone skin, try the following face masks. They're easy and time-efficient ways to use vitamin E capsules for your face.
Vitamin E and Papaya
Papaya is amazing for the skin. It’s naturally rich in vitamins A, C, and E, and it contains extremely beneficial enzymes. You can't go wrong when combining vitamin E and papaya.
For this mask, you’ll need half a cup of crushed papaya, a few drops of honey, and one vitamin E capsule extract.
Apply this mixture to your face and leave it for 20 minutes. After you’re done, wash your face with lukewarm water.
Vitamin E and Aloe Vera Gel
Give this nourishing and calming face mask a try. You’ll need one vitamin E capsule and one tablespoon of aloe vera - or fresh aloe vera pulp. Combine the two ingredients and apply them to your face.
Either wash this aloe vera and vitamin E combination off in 20 to 30 minutes or let the mixture work as a natural moisturizer on your face overnight. Wash it off in the morning after the mixture has sunk into your skin pores. Leaving it on overnight will encourage skin cell regeneration and help you achieve supple skin.
Vitamin E, Yogurt and Egg Whites
This mask is great for achieving a brighter complexion. You’ll need one teaspoon of whisked egg white, one teaspoon of yogurt, and one capsule. Combine the egg white and yogurt and open the capsule in the mixture.
Apply the mask to your face and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Wash it off thoroughly after.
Is Vitamin E Good for Acne Scars?
We’ve already established why topical vitamin E can be an amazing spot treatment. But does it have the same effect on acne scars? Let’s find out.
Many people claim that putting vitamin E oil on scars and marks will aid their healing. Unfortunately, studies suggest that this is a myth. Vitamin E doesn’t automatically heal scars but can help your body form collagen. So, whether you suffer from bad scarring and pigmentation or simply have a wound that needs treating, using vitamin E oil won't hurt.
Which Skin Types is Vitamin E Oil Suitable For?
Due to the consistency and thickness of vitamin E oil, it might not be appropriate for people with oily skin. For those skin types, it’s best to use a lighter oil, such as almond or rosehip oil.
Is Vitamin E Oil Comedogenic?
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, so it’s absorbed easier and stays longer on the skin than other oils. Unfortunately, this makes it potentially comedogenic, meaning it can clog the pores of certain skin types, such as those with oily skin.
If you try vitamin E oil out for yourself, use smaller amounts and build it up gradually.
If you're using vitamin E capsules in combination with other ingredients, make sure they're non-comedogenic too. For example, using a carrier oil like jojoba oil won't clog your pores, but things like coconut oil and olive oil certainly might.
What to Keep in Mind when Choosing Vitamin E Capsules
There are two types of vitamin E: natural and synthetic. We recommend natural vitamin E capsules if you want to use this substance on your face. To ensure you’re buying the natural kind, check the ingredient list. Look for the following names: d-alpha tocopheryl acetate, d-alpha tocopherol, or d-alpha tocopheryl succinate.
In addition, make sure the vitamin E capsules you’ve chosen don’t contain many additives and coloring. If the ingredient list is too long, it’s probably not the right choice.
How Long Does it Take to See Results?
Result time will vary depending on your condition and the severity of your acne. Generally speaking, it will take longer than other conventional methods, ranging from a few weeks to months, before you start seeing results.
If you don’t have the patience to wait that long, you’re better off trying other methods like retinoid creams or chemical peels. Or, for a skin care routine you know will work, try this Complete Clear 3-Step System. With a cleaner, toner, and moisturizer, it'll whisk away dead skin cells, encouraging new skin cell growth, brighten dull skin, reduce inflammation, and give you that gorgeous skin glow you deserve.
How Often Should You Apply Vitamin E Capsules to Your Face?
Dermatologists say you should apply vitamin E at night for smooth and supple skin. It will eliminate dark circles, treat wrinkles, encourage skin whitening, and help you achieve youthful skin.
The frequency depends on your skin type. If you have dry skin, you can apply vitamin E capsules or vitamin E oil daily. However, if you suffer from oily skin, don't do it more than twice a week.
Potential Side Effects
Many side effects can come from ingesting too many oral vitamin E supplements, such as hypervitaminosis, bleeding, and vitamin K deficiency. But does applying vitamin E topically have the same risks?
The most common side effects of topical application include skin irritation, redness, and even breakouts if your skin doesn’t agree with it. If any of these symptoms occur, don’t hesitate to call your doctor. Although relatively rare, changes in skin color and skin infections might happen.
Allergic reactions are also rare, but if you notice any symptoms like rashes (eczema or dermatitis), itching, swelling, dizziness, and trouble breathing, contact your doctor immediately.
Don’t forget that vitamin E has a shelf life of about two years, so avoid putting it on after the expiration date.
Conclusion
Maintaining skin health isn't easy. Vitamin E capsules can be effective when applied to acne and irritated skin. With their amazing antioxidant properties, they can reduce redness and the size of the pimple. However, since everybody’s skin is different, you won’t know how well vitamin E responds to your skin unless you try it out yourself. Make sure you do a patch test first (ideally on the fold of your inner arm) before you apply the capsule all over your face. This is essential for those with sensitive skin.
Adding vitamin E tablets to masks is a great way to test its effectiveness - especially for people with dry skin. You’ll most likely be left with smooth and glowing skin.
Remember, it will take weeks to notice any significant results in terms of acne and scarring. Consult a dermatologist if you want a quicker solution.
References
Can You Increase Your Blood Flow with Vitamins?
The effects of topical vitamin E on the cosmetic appearance of scars
