Response:

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient. Scientific research demonstrates that vitamin E offers many skin benefits, including antioxidant properties, protecting skin from free radical damage, preventing premature aging, and reducing the risk of skin cancer. Additionally, this vitamin helps moisturize and soften skin, reducing dryness and chapping, and supports the restoration of the skin's natural protective barrier.

Supplementing with vitamin E promotes skin tissue regeneration and enhances recovery after skin damage. This nutrient stimulates collagen production and cell renewal, reducing hyperpigmentation, fading scars, and improving uneven skin tone. When combined with vitamin C, vitamin E also helps prevent melasma and freckles due to its ability to protect skin from UV damage. Its anti-inflammatory properties soothe irritated skin, redness, and inflammation.

For individuals with oily skin, overactive sebaceous glands lead to excessive oiliness, easily clogged pores, and acne formation. Oral vitamin E supplementation helps limit pore clogging, reduces excess oil secretion, strengthens immunity against acne-causing bacteria, stimulates cell regeneration and collagen production, accelerates skin recovery, and fades post-acne dark spots.

However, consuming too much vitamin E can lead to an excess, potentially clogging pores, causing breakouts, and increasing oil secretion. Furthermore, prolonged high-dose vitamin E supplementation may affect the digestive system and blood clotting ability. It is not advisable to take vitamin E daily without medical guidance.

The body can absorb vitamin E from daily diets through various foods. If your skin is consistently oily or prone to breakouts, the safest approach is to supplement vitamin E through natural foods. A diet rich in green vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fatty fish, and avocados provides natural vitamin E while also offering balanced nutrition.

You can use topical vitamin E in the form of an oil-free serum or moisturizer that absorbs quickly and does not clog pores. Avoid applying vitamin E capsules directly to the face, as the concentrated essence in the capsule is quite thick, which can make the skin feel suffocated, clog pores, and worsen inflammatory acne. If the body has a vitamin E deficiency (confirmed by testing), or if you experience dry, dull, or flaky skin, or have a medical condition related to fat absorption disorders, a doctor may advise oral vitamin E supplementation. Adults typically require 8-10 mg of vitamin E daily, equivalent to one handful of sunflower seeds or one spoonful of olive oil. If considering oral supplementation of 100-400 IU per day, it should be under a doctor's supervision to prevent misuse.

Doctor Nguyen Thi Ngoc Yen, Level II Specialist

Head of Dermatology Department

Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi