Uses for Topical Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E is a natural vitamin found in some foods. It can also be bought as a supplement in capsule and liquid form. Vitamin E oil has many beneficial uses. The most popular and well-known uses for the oil are for skin treatments.
-
Stretch Marks
-
Vitamin E oil has long been thought of as a treatment for stretch marks. To use the oil on stretch marks, rub the vitamin E oil into the deep marks and massage it so it penetrates your skin. Apply the oil at least once a day to notice changes in the appearance of stretch marks. Vitamin E oil is also found in some lotions and creams meant to reduce stretch marks. Newer stretch marks will be easier to treat than older ones.
Scars
-
Many people use vitamin E oil to treat scars and reduce the scars' appearance. The oil is found in many creams and lotions made specifically for scar treatment. For just vitamin E oil, you can find it in capsule form. Poke the capsule with a needle and squeeze the oil out to apply topically to scars. According to a 2007 New York Times article by Anahad O'Connor, this use of vitamin E oil is controversial, and is not proven to have any effect on scars. However, many dermatologists still recommend vitamin E to reduce the appearance of scars.
Sun Burns
-
According to Derma Doctor, a dermatologist-run website, vitamin E used up to eight hours after developing a sun burn reduces water loss and reduces the severity of the burn. If you are burned, you can use vitamin E as an after-burn treatment by rubbing the oil on the affected area. The oil should provide pain relief and help the skin heal faster. Ingesting the vitamin in capsule form before you head out in the sun is also said to protect your skin from the sun's rays.
Cold Sores
-
Vitamin E oil can be used to prevent and treat cold sores. The blisters usually begin with a burning or tingling feeling in the lip. If you think you are getting a cold sore, rub vitamin E oil on the area a few times a day. If you already have a cold sore, MotherNature.com recommends rubbing the oil from one capsule directly on the sore.
Wrinkles
-
A 2006 MSNBC report says declining levels of vitamin E in the skin are associated with wrinkles. The same report cites animal studies that show vitamin E reduces wrinkles, but no human studies that show significant wrinkle reduction. To apply vitamin E oil to wrinkles, massage the oil into the skin and let it penetrate the surface. You should let the oil dry on your skin before applying additional moisturizer or make-up. Putting the oil on before bed is a convenient technique to ensure the oil soaks into the skin.
-
