The Essential Role of Vitamin E in Skincare: Science-Backed Tips and Top Products

Vitamin E has earned its place as a staple in skincare, thanks to its powerful antioxidant properties and ability to support healthy, resilient skin. Found in everything from serums to night creams, it works behind the scenes to protect against environmental stress, maintain moisture, and complement other active ingredients.

But what exactly is the chemistry behind vitamin E, how does it work, and who can benefit most from it? In this guide, we’ll explore the science, the benefits, and the most effective ways to incorporate it into your routine.

Vitamin E isn’t just one ingredient, it’s actually a group of eight naturally occurring compounds, split into two families called tocopherols and tocotrienols. Tocopherols are the classic, well-researched form of vitamin E that you see in most creams and serums as they’re stable, gentle, and help defend skin from environmental stress. Tocotrienols are a newer, more fast-absorbing form that may deliver even stronger antioxidant protection, though they’re less common and often found in advanced or high-performance formulas. 

When applied to the skin, vitamin E acts like a shield, breaking the chain of free-radical damage that can weaken skin cells and speed up visible ageing. It can also soak up a small amount of UVB light and calm some of the inflammation triggered by sun exposure, especially when paired with other antioxidants like vitamin C.

• Sun protection boost & anti-aging support: Vitamin E can help reduce redness, sunburn damage, and other signs of UV stress when applied to the skin. It works best when paired with vitamin C, which helps “recharge” vitamin E so it can keep fighting free radicals. Many sunscreens and antioxidant serums now include both.
  
• Stronger skin barrier & more hydration: Because vitamin E is fat-soluble, it settles into your skin’s natural oils, helping to protect them from damage and lock in moisture. This can make skin feel smoother and reduce dryness.
  
• Scars & post-procedure care: Despite its popularity, research shows that vitamin E alone isn’t a miracle scar treatment, and it can even cause irritation in some people. Silicone gel is more reliable for scar improvement and vitamin E is best used here for general moisturisation and antioxidant support.
• Sensitive skin: Some studies suggest vitamin E can help calm inflammation and reduce oxidative stress in conditions like eczema, but results vary depending on the formula.

Vitamin E is broadly suitable if you’re looking to support barrier lipids, add antioxidant coverage to a daytime routine, or soothe dryness, especially in mature, or environmentally stressed skin. It also pairs well with potential irritants (retinoids, acids) to buffer dryness.

However, a minority of people develop allergic contact dermatitis to vitamin E or its derivatives (e.g., tocopheryl acetate, tocopheryl linoleate). Patch testing new products is wise if you have a history of sensitivities. If you’re prone to closed comedones or have very oily/acne-prone skin, heavy vitamin-E-rich oils may feel occlusive, and you may want to choose lighter serums or emulsions instead.

In the morning, it’s best to use vitamin E as part of an antioxidant serum or combined with vitamin C and ferulic acid after cleansing and before applying sunscreen. This helps your skin stay protected from the oxidative stress caused by sunlight and pollution throughout the day. At night, look for vitamin E in a moisturiser or night cream to strengthen your skin barrier and help with dryness, especially if you’re using retinoids or exfoliants.

Most products contain around 0.5–1% vitamin E, which is highly effective as increased amounts won’t always give better results and can sometimes feel heavy or cause irritation. You can use it daily, morning, night, or both, depending on what works best for your skin.

Below are a few science-backed Dermoi options that contain vitamin E that are tailored to different skin types. It is always important to introduce actives gradually and patch test if you’re sensitive.

If dryness is your main concern, reach first for a vitamin E hydrator or a rich night cream. The Zelens Power E Moisturising and Protecting Vitamin E Concentrate is a high-potency vitamin E serum designed to nourish and protect. It layers well under moisturiser and SPF by day or under a night cream. 

For pigment and dullness, use vitamin E in an antioxidant serum combined with vitamin C each morning before sunscreen. The Dermaceutic Tri Vita C30 combines 30% vitamin C with ferulic acid and vitamin E for a high performing, science-backed antioxidant blend. If you’re newer to vitamin C or prefer something gentler, The Organic Pharmacy Vitamin C Serum offers a stabilised 15% option that layers easily and still partners well with vitamin E-rich moisturisers.

Retinoids can transform skin over time, but they often come with dryness or mild irritation. Pairing them with vitamin E helps keep the skin comfortable and supported. Medik8’s Crystal Retinal is a great option here, as its encapsulated retinal formula delivers results while being gentler than traditional retinol. Layer it with, or follow it up with, a simple vitamin-E-rich moisturiser to lock in hydration and strengthen your skin barrier overnight.

Look for lighter textures and targeted night actives, using vitamin E via emulsion-based moisturisers rather than heavy oils. A standout option is the Osmosis Rescue Serum, which is a gentle, fast-absorbing formula that features vitamin E among its nourishing ingredients to help calm and support stressed skin without clogging pores. Use it in your evening routine paired with a lightweight, oil-free moisturiser for hydration without heaviness.

Vitamin E is a well-loved antioxidant that helps defend the skin against daily oxidative hits and supports moisturisation, especially when teamed with vitamin C by day and retinoids by night. Choose textures suited to your skin type and lean on combinations (C+E in the morning; retinoid + E-rich moisturiser at night) for noticeable benefits that are backed by science.

Baumann, L.S. and Md, J.S. (1999). The Effects of Topical Vitamin E on the Cosmetic Appearance of Scars. Dermatologic Surgery, 25(4), pp.311–315. doi:https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1524-4725.1999.08223.x. 

Eberlein-König, B. and Ring, J. (2005). Relevance of vitamins C and E in cutaneous photoprotection. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 4(1), pp.4–9. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2005.00151.x. 

Jesus, A., Mota, S., Torres, A., Cruz, M.T., Sousa, E., Almeida, I.F. and Cidade, H. (2023). Antioxidants in Sunscreens: Which and What For? Antioxidants, [online] 12(1), p.138. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12010138. 

KROL, E.S., KRAMER-STICKLAND, K.A. and LIEBLER, D.C. (2000). PHOTOPROTECTIVE ACTIONS OF TOPICALLY APPLIED VITAMIN E*. Drug Metabolism Reviews, 32(3-4), pp.413–420. doi:https://doi.org/10.1081/dmr-100102343. 

Mukherjee, S., Date, A., Patravale, V., Korting, H.C., Roeder, A. and Weindl, G. (2006). Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 1(4), pp.327–348. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/ciia.2006.1.4.327.