The 7 Best Vitamin E Oils of 2024, According to a Dermatologist
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Vitamin E is the primary fat-soluble antioxidant in the skin. When applied as a vitamin E oil, it penetrates the layers of the skin and reduces the formation of free radicals that can interfere with healing.
“As a potent antioxidant, vitamin E oil is beneficial to skin care because it helps to minimize fine lines, ward off UV damage and even out the skin tone”, explains Mona Gohara, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut and Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. “It works best in combination with vitamin C,” she adds.
In this article, we’ll share our picks for the best vitamin E oil products in 2024. Additionally, we draw on the expertise of Dr. Gohara to discuss the benefits and limitations of vitamin E oils for skin care.
Our Picks for Best Vitamin E Oil:
- Best Vitamin E Oil for Face: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E for Face
- Best Vitamin E Oil for Scars: Bio-Oil
- Best Vitamin E Oil for Skin: Jason Vitamin E Skin Oil
- Best Vitamin E Oil for Hair: Difeel Premium Vitamin E Oil
- Best Pure Vitamin E Oil: Cliganic 100% Pure Vitamin E Oil
- Best Organic Vitamin E Oil: Pura D’Or Vitamin E Blend
- Best Vitamin E Oil Body Butter: Nature’s Skin and Body Vita E Body Butter
Best Vitamin E Oil for Face: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E for Face
Amazon
Key features & specs
- Active ingredients: Cocoa butter, retinol, vitamin C, vitamin E-rich pure oil blend (sesame oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, macadamia nut oil, apricot oil, argan oil, grapeseed oil, rosehip oil, camelina oil and sunflower oil)
- Added ingredients: Centella asiatica extract, rosa canina seed extract, argania spinosa kernel oil, dimethicone, hydrogenated methyl abietate, fragrance (parfum), caprylic/capric triglyceride, BHT, benzyl benzoate, citronellol, alpha-isomethyl ionone, geraniol, hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, hexyl cinnamal, butylphenyl methylpropional
- Certifications: Hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic
- Best for: Individuals looking to moisturize and restore dry skin; individuals looking to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Price: $10.97 (1 fl. oz.)
- Subscription: Your choice of a one-, two-, three-, four-, five- or six-month shipping frequency; 5-15% savings
Palmer’s is a treatment-oriented cosmetics brand presented by E.T. Browne Drug Co., Inc.—one of America’s first skin care companies.
This vitamin E oil product is formulated to help nourish, hydrate and replenish the skin. We rank it as the best vitamin E oil for the face because it combines vitamin E with two powerhouse ingredients for skin care—retinol and vitamin C.
“The term beauty sleep comes from the fact that our skin cells are regenerating themselves naturally at night. Retinoids (e.g. retinol) help to expedite that process. They build collagen and decrease collagen breakdown,” Gohara says.
“If you’re at the stage in life where you’re looking for something to brighten the skin, even out skin tone or even fade down some of those fine lines and wrinkles, vitamin E paired with vitamin C is a perfect ingredient for you”, she adds.
Like most Palmer’s skin care products, this vitamin E oil is non-comedogenic, meaning it doesn’t contain ingredients that clog your pores and cause blemishes or blackheads. As a result, it’s a great option for individuals with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Pros:
- Lightweight, non-greasy formula
- Promotes collagen production
- Contains ingredients with anti-aging skin properties
Cons:
- Contains synthetic ingredients
Best Vitamin E Oil for Scars: Bio-Oil
Amazon
Key features & specs
- Active ingredients: Vitamin A (as retinyl palmitate), vitamin E (as tocopheryl acetate), lavender oil, chamomile oil, PurCellin Oil™
- Added ingredients: Paraffinum liquidum (mineral oil), triisononanoin, cetearyl ethylhexanoate, isopropyl myristate, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf oil, calendula officinalis flower extract, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, glycine soja (soybean) oil, BHT, bisabolol, parfum (fragrance)
- Certifications: Non-comedogenic, paraben-free
- Best for: Individuals looking to improve the appearance of scars; individuals looking to reduce the appearance of stretch marks
- Price: $26.99 (6.7 fl. oz.)
- Subscription: Your choice of a one-, two-, three-, four-, five- or six-month shipping frequency; 5-15% savings
Bio-Oil prides itself as the #1 dermatologist recommended brand for stretch marks. Formulated for all skin types, this product is intended to help repair skin damage and scars from pregnancy, surgery, injury, acne, C-section and aging.
Although we rank Bio-Oil as the best vitamin E oil for scars, it’s important to note that its observed scar-reducing property is likely attributable to its other active ingredients, rather than vitamin E itself.
“There are some popular uses of vitamin E such as scar reduction that do not have scientific backing, perhaps only anecdotal evidence,” Gohara says. “I do not recommend vitamin E for this use,” she adds.
Still, as far as anecdotal evidence goes, Bio-Oil seems to be a hit with customers seeking to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. Its 91,000 ratings have an average of 4.6/5 stars on Amazon along with thousands of positive reviews. One customer writes, “This stuff really lightened my stretch marks! I was so insecure about them and I’ve only been using this stuff for about three weeks, two times a day. Love it.”
More than a handful of reviewers complained about the product’s smell, but some of those same reviewers noted that they continued using the product anyway because of its effectiveness.
Pros:
- Fast-absorbing
- Suitable for acne-prone skin
- Customer testimonials suggest it works well for stretch marks and scars
Cons:
- Multiple customers reported disliking the smell of this product
Best Vitamin E Oil for Skin: Jason Vitamin E Skin Oil
Jason
Key features & specs
- Active ingredients: Vitamin E (as tocopheryl acetate)
- Added ingredients: Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, carthamus tinctorius (safflower) seed oil, oryza sativa (rice) bran oil, persea gratissima (avocado) oil, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil, triticum vulgare (wheat) germ oil, benzaldehyde
- Certifications: Cruelty-free, paraben-free
- Best for: Individuals looking to nourish and relieve dry, irritated skin; individuals looking to smoothen and soften rough skin
- Price: $6.98 (4 fl. oz.)
- Subscription: Your choice of a one-, two-, three-, four-, five- or six-month shipping frequency; 5-15% savings
Jason Vitamin E Skin Oil is an all over body nourishment with five essential natural oils rich in vitamin E, namely almond, apricot, avocado, sunflower and wheat germ oil.
We rank Jason Vitamin E Skin Oil as the best vitamin E oil for skin because it’s made with safe, gentle, yet effective ingredients and contains no parabens, sulfates, phthalates or petrolatum. Plus it’s cruelty-free, meaning it isn’t tested on animals.
What’s more, its silky smooth formula is designed to deeply moisturize and soothe dry, irritated skin.
“Moisturization, to me, is one of the most important parts of skin health. The more moisturized your skin is, the less likely it is to get irritated and inflamed. And let’s face it, the more moisturized your skin looks, the better it feels,” Gohara says
At the time of writing, this product has earned 4.6/5 stars on Amazon from over 21,000 ratings. Reviewers seem to like that this product easily absorbs into the skin and leaves it feeling smooth and soft.
Pros:
- Designed for deep skin hydration
- Non-greasy formula
- Free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates and petrolatum
Cons:
- Doesn’t contain vitamin C
Best Vitamin E Oil for Hair: Difeel Premium Vitamin E Oil
Difeel
Key features & specs
- Active ingredients: Vitamin E (as tocopheryl acetate)
- Added ingredients: Glycine soja (soybean) oil, canola oil, fragrance, BHT, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, opuntia tuna fruit extract, verbascum thapsus extract, urtica dioica (nettle) extract, cucumis melo (melon) fruit extract
- Certifications: None
- Best for: Individuals looking to promote hair growth; individuals looking to treat thinning hair; individuals looking to strengthen damaged, brittle hair
- Price: $6.99 (7.1 fl. oz)
- Subscription: N/A
Difeel Premium Vitamin E Oil is a blend of botanical ingredients designed to rejuvenate hair and revitalize the scalp. According to the manufacturer, it helps prevent hair breakage, improve hair growth and add shine and texture.
Much like the use of vitamin E for scars, there is limited scientific evidence for the use of vitamin E oil for hair health. Still, anecdotal evidence suggests it may be effective for certain hair types.
Difeel Premium Vitamin E Oil has an average of 4.6/5 stars on Amazon from 567 ratings. Numerous reviewers praised its pleasant scent and reported that it worked to nourish their dry scalp and thicken their hair. One reviewer writes, “During my pregnancy my skin got really dry and it helped relieve the dryness I had in my scalp. Another adds, “Love this hair product. Makes my hair extra soft. Nice smell and value for your money”.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Natural vitamin E formula
- Free of petroleum, alcohol and preservatives
Cons:
- Doesn’t contain vitamin C
Best Pure Vitamin E Oil: Cliganic 100% Pure Vitamin E Oil
Cliganic
Key features & specs
- Active ingredients: Vitamin E (as D-alpha tocopherol)
- Added ingredients: None
- Certifications: Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified USDA Organic, cruelty-free, vegan
- Best for: Individuals looking for a natural vitamin E oil to rejuvenate their skin and nails; individuals looking to relieve skin irritation and dryness
- Price: $9.99 (1 fl. oz.)
- Subscription: Your choice of a one-, two-, three-, four-, five- or six-month shipping frequency; 5-10% savings
Cliganic is a skin care brand that specializes in natural products and offers an array of pure essential oils.
Cliganic 100% Pure Vitamin E Oil provides 30,000 IUs of natural vitamin E sourced from soybean oil. It’s formulated to deeply nourish the skin and nails and provide a more youthful appearance. To use, gently apply one to two drops to your face, hair and nails morning and night.
Simply put, this is our best pure vitamin E oil because it has an incredibly short ingredient list: vitamin E and absolutely nothing else. Consider using this product if you have sensitive skin, as it doesn’t contain any of the typical cosmetic additives that can cause breakouts and rashes.
Reviews for this product have been mixed. Consumers typically praise the product as an effective solution to their skin issues, but aren’t too pleased with its scent. One reviewer writes, “I waited until my bottle was almost gone to write this review, and I'm glad I did. The oil has a strong scent at first, but disappears quickly once applied. I have acne and I'm currently using tretinoin every night. I use two drops of the vitamin E oil, five drops of jojoba oil, two pumps of snail mucin, and a pump of moisturizer. This helps keep my face, neck and chest moisturized throughout the day and does not make me breakout.”
Pros:
- 100-percent pure and natural vitamin E
- Certified Organic
- Third-party tested
Cons:
- Doesn’t contain vitamin C
- Multiple customers reported disliking the smell of this product
Best Organic Vitamin E Oil: Pura D’Or Vitamin E Blend
Pura D’Or
Key features & specs
- Active ingredients: Vitamin E (as tocopherol)
- Added ingredients: Helianthus annuus (sunflower) extract, persea gratissima (avocado) fruit extract, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) seed extract*, prunus armeniaca (apricot) oil, jojoba oil, argania spinosa (argan) kernel oil, rosa canina (rosehip) seed oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil
- Certifications: Certified USDA Organic, Certified CCOF Organic, made with renewable energy, cruelty-free, vegan
- Best for: Individuals looking to improve skin elasticity; individuals looking to achieve radiant, youthful looking skin
- Price: $14.99 (4 fl. oz.)
- Subscription: Your choice of a one-, two-, three-, four-, five- or six-month shipping frequency; 5-15% savings
Pura D’Or is a small family-owned company committed to crafting organic, natural, plant-based products. The Pura D’Or Vitamin E Blend combines multiple oils with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to nourish and protect the skin throughout the day.
This is our best organic vitamin E oil because it is certified as an authentic organic product by two separate organizations, USDA Organic and CCOF Organic. It’s formulated to help reduce skin damage and soften the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and other signs of premature aging.
For best results, the brand recommends applying four to five drops on the face and neck in the morning and at night before bed. According to the company, you can use this oil with other products in your skincare routine, like essential oils and lotions.
Its 8,500 ratings have an average of 4.7/5 stars on Amazon, with most consumers highlighting the product’s lightweight, non-greasy formula and pleasant smell. One review reads, “Best skin oil by far. My skin drinks it in so it’s not too greasy. My skin looks healthy and dewy! [I noticed] less skin discoloration and my wrinkles seem to be fading slightly. Smells great.”
Pros:
- Certified organic by two organizations
- Vegan
- Pleasant smell
Cons:
- Doesn’t contain vitamin C
Best Vitamin E Oil Body Butter: Nature’s Skin and Body Vita E Body Butter
Nature’s Skin and Body
Key features & specs
- Active ingredients: Vitamin E (as tocopherols and tocotrienols), vitamin C
- Added ingredients: Shea butter, cocoa butter, grapeseed oil, brazil nut oil, baobab oil, proprietary oil extraction (from kakadu plum, gotu kola, frankincense and myrrh), indian sandalwood, bergamot essential oils
- Certifications: None
- Best for: Individuals looking to address hyperpigmentation (dark spots) and achieve an even skin tone; individuals to relieve skin irritation and dryness; individuals looking to improve crepey skin and sagging
- Price: 29.95 (2 fl. oz.)
- Subscription: N/A
Nature’s Skin and Body is a cosmetics brand that offers a high-performing skin and hair product line made from natural ingredients. The company prides itself on using an advanced biotechnology extraction process to rapidly extract medicinal herbs and create high-quality products.
This vitamin E body butter features a full spectrum of natural vitamin E (both tocotrienols and tocopherols) in combination with vitamin C to provide maximum skincare benefits. Notably, it has a consistency similar to a cream, rather than a body oil. To use, apply a small amount and massage into the skin as needed.
According to the brand, this product is especially effective for varicose veins, stretch marks, inflammation, rash and eczema.
Pros:
- Vitamin E paired with vitamin C
- 100-percent organic and natural ingredients
- Contains shea butter and cocoa butter
Cons:
- Pricey
What Is Vitamin E Oil?
Vitamin E oil is a type of topical vitamin E product intended to moisturize, nourish and protect the skin, hair and nails. Some vitamin E oils also contain additional bioactive compounds that support skin health.
While they can provide many of the same benefits for the skin, they differ from vitamin E supplements, which are taken orally in the form of capsules, gummies or powders.
Benefits of Vitamin E Oil
Adding a vitamin E oil to your daily skincare routine is a great way to promote healthy skin and protect it against irritants that contribute to signs of aging skin.
“The first thing that hits my skin after I cleanse it in the morning is a vitamin E paired with a vitamin C serum. It helps to protect my skin against the things that I’ll face in the day—ultra violet lights, computer screens, cellphones and even the visible lights in the office,” Gohara says.
Vitamin E oil is particularly useful for “evening out skin tone, minimizing fine lines, providing hydration, adding radiance and preventing or reversing damage from UV light or radiation,” she adds.
In essence, vitamin E oil confers photoprotective properties to the skin by acting as a free-radical scavenger. As a result, it helps prevent skin damage from solar radiation and other harmful sources of light.
Related Post: The Best Supplements for Healthy Skin
Drawbacks of Vitamin E Oil
Although there are many marketed uses of vitamin E oil for things like acne scars, stretch marks and hair growth, there’s limited evidence to support these uses.
Additionally, there are instances where vitamin E oil can do more harm than good for your skin. “I would avoid vitamin E oil in the circumstances of acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis or other inflammatory skin conditions," Gohara says.
Furthermore, there is no clear evidence at this time that vitamin E oil aids in the healing of minor burns or sunburn.
It’s also important to realize that vitamin E oil may be unnecessary, at best, for individuals with very oily skin. This skin type is characterized by the overproduction of sebum—the body’s natural oil which contains vitamin E, among other things. In some cases, excess sebum combined with the application of vitamin E oil can lead to or worsen acne, blackheads and other blemishes.
How to Use Vitamin E Oil
For best results, follow the instructions on the product’s label. Many vitamin E oils are applied daily and/or as needed to the skin, scalp and nails (including the cuticles). Individuals with oily skin may want to limit their use of vitamin E oil to a couple days each week. With most vitamin E oil products, a sparing amount of oil is used (e.g. just a few drops) and massaged into the skin until it soaks in.
How to Choose the Best Vitamin E Oil for You
To choose the best vitamin E oil for your skin health needs, pay attention to the product’s ingredients list. Choose a vitamin E oil that contains alpha-tocopherol, which is widely considered as the most effective form of vitamin E. Additionally, it’s best to choose vitamin E oils that carry a seal from a third-party testing lab or an official certifying organization.
What to Avoid in a Vitamin E Oil
A good rule of thumb to follow when selecting a vitamin E oil is this: The shorter the added ingredients list, the better. While not always the case, some vitamin E oil products contain extra ingredients and additives that can do more harm than good for your skin. Some additives to watch out for include:
- BHA
- Parabens
- PEG compounds
- Petrolatum
- Siloxanes
- Sodium laureth sulfate
- Triclosan
- Coal tar dyes: p-phenylenediamine and colors listed as “CI” followed by a five digit number
- DEA-related ingredients
- Dibutyl phthalate
- Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
How We Chose the Best Vitamin E Oil
We accounted for a variety of criteria when choosing for this roundup of the best vitamin E oils. We considered oil ingredients and purity, and the intended use of each. We also read user reviews to see what actual users had to say about the products. Additionally, we favored products with official certifications (e.g. USDA Organic) and those that were third-party tested.
Vitamin E Oil FAQs
What is the most effective form of vitamin E?
Alpha-tocopherol is the most effective form of vitamin E and the most common form found in the human body. It helps support the immune system and acts as an antioxidant.
Is there a difference between vitamin E and vitamin E oil?
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin found in many foods such as vegetable oils, meat and fruits. A vitamin E oil is a topical vitamin E product that delivers vitamin E down into the layers of the skin via a carrier oil (e.g. olive oil).
Is vitamin E oil safe for oily or acne prone skin?
Many vitamin E oil products are designated as suitable for all skin types, including dry, oily and acne prone skin. But in some instances, applying vitamin E oil too often on oily or acne prone skin can worsen acne breakouts.
Is vitamin E oil or cream better?
Whether vitamin E oil or cream is better depends on your preferences, the product’s formula and the manufacturer.
Can the skin absorb vitamin E oil?
Yes, the skin can absorb vitamin E oil. When applied, vitamin E penetrates the top and middle layers of the skin (i.e. epidermis and dermis).
Takeaway: Is Vitamin E Oil Worth It?
Yes, vitamin E oil is worth it for individuals interested in a rejuvenating antioxidant in a topical form. Clinical evidence supports the use of vitamin E oil to even out skin tone, minimize fine lines, moisturize the skin, add radiance and prevent or reverse damage from UV light or radiation. When combined with other bioactive compounds, a vitamin E oil may help reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks and promote hair growth, but there is limited scientific evidence for these uses.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
