Rubbing vitamin E oil onto your acne scars or introducing vitamin E supplements into their diet can help heal, and reduce acne appearance. Vitamin E products have become quite popular recently for treatment of acne and other skin problems. Vitamin E creams and ointments claim to get rid of every type of scar, including acne and can be found in many stores across America.
However, evidence that vitamin E has acne healing properties is mostly anecdotal. There is little medical evidence of the effectiveness of the usage of vitamin E on acne and acne scars. Discover the truth about these claims for vitamin E.
Vitamin E and Acne
An in-depth look at Vitamin E and how it helps treat acne scars
Vitamin E has long been hailed as one of the biggest contributing factors to bodily health. Many consider Vitamin E essential in preventing heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. While whether these claim s are true is still up for debate, the fact remains that Vitamin E has some significant health benefits that are associated with skin health. We will examine what Vitamin E is and how it may help your battle with acne.
What is Vitamin E?
Vitamin E is found in foods like fruits and vegetables and is an essential part of your everyday diet. It is a group of chemical compounds commonly found in oils, leafy greens, and other vegetables. It is a fat-soluble antioxidant, meaning it can be stored in fatty tissues and moves through the lymphatic system to get to the bloodstream. When ingested, it typically stays in the body for long periods. As an antioxidant, Vitamin E helps inhibit free radicals, which can damage skin as well as other parts of the body. Its main function is to support cell membranes, increase blood flow, and strengthen muscles, the heart, and the skin. However, when it is applied topically it can help protect your body from sun damage thus it is added to many over-the-counter skin care ointments.
Vitamin E and Skincare: Myth versus Fact
It is seen as of the most effective skin and acne treatments. But are all these claims true? Here is what you should know prior to slather yourself in this oil.
Vitamin E Oil retains the moisture produced by your skin
The moisturizing ingredient of Vitamin E lets your skin’s natural oils to be retained to the skin, instead of drying out making Vitamin E an ideal for those with naturally dry skin or experience psoriasis and eczema. In general, those who suffer from these skin ailments also incorporate other treatments. Proceed with caution when using Vitamin E. The oil itself is thick and greasy that it can have the opposite effect on the skin. For those with dry skin Vitamin E can treat acne because their skin needs more moisturizing. Dry skin can be tight and itchy, and continually touching it will leave the skin vulnerable to bacteria from your hands. Vitamin E can keep your skin hydrated and glowing, thus reducing the possibility of acne on dry skin.
Vitamin E is not ideal for Oily Skin
It may be useful on dry skin, but Vitamin E oil is not ideal for oily or combination skin. It is already and adding thick and greasy oil will only add another layer of oil to your skin which can cause clogging. If you have oily or combination skin, seek other forms of acne scar therapy.
Vitamin E fades scars and dark spots
Vitamin E is best known as a remedy for scars and dark spots that occur on the skin. Many people believe Vitamin E helps in rebuilding tissue, so it can assist in fading scars and boosting the healing process. However, many studies suggest this is not true. It is true that natural collagen present in the skin helps form scar tissue, and Vitamin E can manipulate the development of the mentioned collagen, it doesn’t mean that applying Vitamin E is a to acne is a magic cure. Your body will experience the natural healing process whether or not you apply Vitamin E oil.
Vitamin E promotes tissue repair from damage by the sun
As per a study run in 2012, the antioxidant properties of Vitamin E and Vitamin C, glutathione, uric acid, and ubiquinol combined play a part in promoting the DNA enzyme repair systems to keep the skin from harmful carcinogens from prolonged exposure to UV rays. What this signifies is that our skin is open to the antioxidant healing factors that keep the skin shielded before the damage can begin. Other than aiding in the reduction of UV damage, it can be used to heal sunburn to prevent further damage to the skin.
Vitamin E reduces the signs of aging
As stated before, the antioxidant properties of Vitamin E reduce free radical damage. Just like with UV ray damage, there is proof to suggest that Vitamin E reduces signs of aging. The anti-inflammatory attributes of Vitamin E can slow the progression of wrinkles and environmental damage such as smoke. This will not dramatically lessen signs of the impact of lifestyle habits such as smoking or tanning, for instance.
Benefits of using Vitamin E to reduce acne scars
Though vitamin A is the vitamin typically linked with skin care, you need vitamin E to regulate it in the body. Your body fat absorbs vitamin E, which then influences vitamin A absorption. Vitamin A then assures you have healthy-looking skin. A topical application of vitamin A, or a retinoid, can be applied to soften acne scars and reduce their appearance. Lacking vitamin E can cause dry, itchy skin and acne, as well, making it an essential element of your diet and even your skin care routine.
Only surface scars or hyperpigmentation can be resolved using topical methods. These usually are temporary and appear as dark brown or red markings. They will eventually fade on their own, although many believe you can promote this process by using a vitamin E cream to moisturize the skin well. Though the cream won't fade the scars, it will make your skin more hydrated thus making the dark spots less noticeable. However, according to a study published in "Dermatologic Surgery" in April 1999, topically using vitamin E to scars can worsen their condition and even cause contact dermatitis.
Vitamin E Acne Scar Treatments
Uses for Vitamin E
If your acne scars leave depressions on the skin, vitamin E won't help you in any way. Instead, you'll need to seek out dermatological treatment. Typically, acne scar treatments vary from dermabrasion and chemical peels to surgical removal and fillers.
Healing Scars - A study found that vitamin E and Aquaphor creams were no different in treating 90 percent of scars and marks in people who had recently had patches of skin cancer removed. A one-third of the participants who used vitamin E developed a red, itchy rash called contact dermatitis. However, a different study observed that children with surgical scars who used vitamin E three times a day didn’t form keloids or extra scar tissue around the wound. Researchers concluded that applying a topical form of vitamin E before and after surgery improved how wounds healed.Research on how this vitamin can treat acne and heal its scars is still inconclusive. There’s little evidence that vitamin E oil can help improve scars. However, it’s possible that when taken through food or as a supplement can aid your body heal in other ways.
Supplements for promoting scar healing - Some research implies that vitamin E supplements can be useful for people with severe damage to their skin. Vitamin E can assist your body in several aspects of the healing process. For instance, vitamin E protects the body’s tissues from free radicals, which can cause damage to cells and accelerate aging. It’s also crucial for the synthesis of red blood cells, which circulate oxygen around the body. Both functions are vital to healing.
How to Utilize Vitamin E?
Essential Vitamins are those vitamins that are not naturally produced in the body, and hence must be gotten from an external resource. Vitamin E is an Essential Vitamins, and consequently, it is important you take in only the right amount to maintain balanced nutrition both on and below the skin’s surface.
Use Vitamin E combined with Vitamin C
This combination boosts the immune system and contributes to a healthy heart. A better immune system indicates better body function, which is a holistic solution to poor skin conditions like acne scars.
Applying Vitamin E Oil
The most popular way people apply Vitamin E to the skin is by directly applying the oil. Below are the important tips that will improve the effectiveness of Vitamin E for your acne.
Apply Vitamin E Oil at Night
For the best outcomes, apply the oil only at night since while you sleep, your body performs most of its repair work. Simply wet your face, pat it dry, and apply a thin layer of Vitamin E to the skin with a cotton swab. Then wash it off gently in the morning.
Getting Vitamin E in Foods
Fortunately, you can absorb the benefits of vitamin E by ingesting it through foods in your diet. It is not enough to apply a topical solution of Vitamin E to help your body. Healthy skin starts with a healthful diet. Try getting most of your vitamin E from food since there is strong evidence that diets comprising of large amounts of vitamin E are healthy for humans.
If you are not sure the quantity of vitamin E you are getting from your diet, consider taking a supplement which has 150-200 IU every day. Taking that level of vitamin E will do you good. List of foods that contain vitamin E are:
- Vegetable
- Vegetable oils
- Fruits
- Poultry
- Cereals
- Meat
- Eggs
- Wheat germ oil
Taking vitamin E orally has enormous benefits, inclusive of prevention of hormonal imbalances that cause acne, while topical administration is mostly beneficial for removing acne scars.
Potential Risks of Vitamin E
However, ingesting too much in supplement form can be dangerous. More than 1,000 mg in its natural form, or 670 mg in synthetic form, taken daily can thin the blood, raising the risk of bleeding, and can even cause bleeding in the brain. More than this it can result in hypervitaminosis E, vitamin K deficiency, and bleeding problems. Never go over the recommended dosage and see a doctor if you experience symptoms of these conditions. It’s recommended to discuss the use of supplements with your doctor before taking them.
Preventing acne scars in the first place
The best approach to prevent acne scars is avoiding them from developing. Below are lifestyle changes that can help you avoid scars of acne occurrence.
Reduce stress - being under high stress can increase oil generation. The bad part about stress acne is that they can result in more stress. And it can be a cycle without an end. Take a few measures and participate in stress-relief activities that minimize oil production and reduce chances of acne occurrence.
Eat a healthy diet - Poor eating habits can cause acne. Medical studies show that eating carbohydrates and junk can increase oil production and therefore, acne. Empty carbohydrates are foods that spike blood sugar too fast. Consume carbohydrates with a low glycaemic index.
Facial hygiene - Do not often touch your face or wipe your cheeks or scratch your nose as this leaves bacteria on the face. You might also wash your caps regularly; a dirty cap can trap bacteria and dirt against your skin which leak to your pores. Clean your face after working out since combining sweat with increased oil generation and dead skin cells can result in worse skin condition. Make sure your man glooms his beard. Using beard oil and lubricating his scarf can also keep his hair softer, and thus, he will scratch and create small lesions on your face or invite bacteria infection.
Pore clogging products - when applying makeup, ensure you are using non-comedogenic products. Such products do not clog your pores. Non-comedogenic face products are typically oil-free, and they do not take away moisture from your skin.
Avoid smoking - Smoking reduces oxygen supply to the skin. Besides, smoking affects the skin by narrowing the blood vessels in your skin’s epidermis. This results in decreased blood flow to your skin. Thus you do not get enough oxygen and other nutrients.
You will also have to visit your dermatologist regularly.
