3 Benefits Of Vitamin E For Hair, How To Use, & Side Effects

Give your locks the care they deserve by including vitamin E into your hair care routine.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Vindhya L Veerula, MD, FAAD
Written by Ramona Sinha, MA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care Coach

Edited by Anjali Sayee, BTech

Fact-checked by Monomita Chakraborty, MA (Journalism & Mass Communication), Certified Skin Care Coach • Nov 29, 2023

3 Benefits Of Vitamin E For Hair, How To Use, & Side Effects

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Squeezing out Evion capsules to apply vitamin E oil to hair has become the next big hair care craze. Boasted to aid hair health tremendously, vitamin E capsule benefits hair immensely. This fat-soluble nutrient contains high amounts of antioxidants that protect the hair from premature aging, oxidative stress, and other forms of hair damage.

Keep reading to discover all the ways vitamin E can improve your hair health. We also tell you if you should be applying the oil to your hair or popping vitamin E supplements instead.

Know Your Ingredient: Vitamin E

What Is It?
A type of fat-soluble vitamin found in nuts and seeds.

What Are Its Benefits?
It may boost hair growth, combat split ends, and prevent premature graying of hair.

Who Can Use It?
Anybody can consume it except people with diabetes, bleeding disorders, and liver and heart diseases.

How Often?
You can consume 15 mg regularly.

Caution
Overconsumption may lead to severe headaches, fatigue, and diarrhea.

In This Article

The Benefits Of Vitamin E For Hair

There is no substantial scientific evidence to support vitamin E’s role in maintaining hair health and promoting hair growth. However, a few inconclusive studies have noted possible hair benefits of vitamin E.

1. Prevents Hair Loss And Helps Hair Growth

A small trial found that mixed tocotrienol supplements (chemicals belonging to the vitamin E family) could promote hair growth (1). Another inconclusive study found that decreased antioxidant (like vitamin E) levels might have some connection with alopeciaⁱXIt is a disease that results in hair loss when the immune system attacks hair follicles. Hair loss begins with circular bald patches. (2).

2. May Prevent Premature Graying

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Oxidative stress is one of the prime causes of premature graying, and vitamin E and other non-enzymatic antioxidative molecules can neutralize free radicals and minimize premature graying (3).

3. May Help Repair Split Ends

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You can squeeze a vitamin E capsule and mix the oil with other protective natural oils and apply it to your damaged hair ends. Vitamin E oil, together with other nourishing oils, can offer you the extra dose of hair nourishment that you need.

4. May Reduce Hair Breakage

Vitamin E may reduce hair breakage by promoting hair strength and resilience. It functions as an antioxidant and protects the hair from free radicals and environmental damage. Regular use of products containing vitamin E or consuming a diet rich in this nutrient can promote hair health (1).

There are several ways to incorporate vitamin E into your hair care routine. Find out how in the next section.

How To Use Vitamin E For Hair?

1. Vitamin E Hair Oils And Products

You will find a range of vitamin E hair oils on the market. These oils contain naturally derived vitamin E and other herbal extracts that may help strengthen the hair, nourish the scalp and follicles, and keep your hair healthy.

You may also squeeze out the oil from vitamin E capsules, mix it with your regular hair oil, and use it. However, do a patch test to avoid allergic reactions.

You may also use shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks fortified with natural vitamin E.

2. Vitamin E Hair Serum

You can also incorporate vitamin E hair serum into your hair care routine. It can help nourish and reduce hair dryness, brittleness, and breakage. Apply a small amount of the serum to your hair and scalp and massage gently. Regular application can help maintain and improve the overall health and appearance of your hair.

3. Vitamin E Supplements

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Consuming vitamin E supplements is the best way to get enough vitamin E in your body. You will find vitamin E supplements in the form of pills, gummies, and capsules.

However, there is always a risk of excess vitamin E intake through the supplements. Moreover, supplements are not recommended unless you have a vitamin E deficiency. Hence, consult a doctor before taking vitamin E.

Research indicates that the most effective way to get vitamin E is through food (4). In the following section, we have listed the best food sources of vitamin E.

Quick Tip

Vitamin E is beneficial for all hair types, be it natural or color-treated. Those with dry, coarse, or damaged hair may observe especially noticeable results after using it.

Vitamin E-Rich Foods For Healthy Hair

Foods rich in vitamin E for healthy hair

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You may include the following foods in your diet (5):

Sunflower seeds
Vegetable oils (safflower, wheat germ, sunflower, and corn oil)
Nuts, such as peanuts and almonds
Peanut butter
Green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli and spinach
Avocados
Kiwis
Mango
Breakfast cereals and fruit juices fortified with vitamin E

A blogger shared her journey with hair fall and the significance of incorporating vitamin E-rich foods in her diet. She tried many hair fall control shampoos but there were no improvements. Then her mom suggested a natural ingredient to help. She writes, “My mom introduced me to eating cooked spinach with a pinch of olive oil and salt everyday or sometimes spinach soup. Within 2-3 months there was a big improvement, dandruff vanished and hairfall was completely stopped. My hair actually looked shiny and more healthy than before (i).”

Try to increase your vitamin E intake by including at least one or more of these foods in your diet. To ensure that you are getting the required amount of Vitamin E each day, check the recommended dietary allowance below.

Daily Recommended Intake Of Vitamin E

The National Institutes of Health recommends the following dosage (5):

Age	Male	Female	Pregnancy	Lactation
0-6 months	4 mg	4 mg
7-12 months	5 mg	5 mg
1-3 years	6 mg	6 mg
4- 8years	7 mg	7 mg
9-13 years	11 mg	11 mg
14 years and above	15 mg	15 mg	15 mg	19 mg

Excessive levels of vitamin E in your body can cause serious health risks. Also, vitamin E supplements can interact with other drugs. Check out its side effects below, including the side effects of vitamin E capsules for hair before them.

Vitamin E: Risks, Side Effects, And Interactions

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Taking more than the recommended daily value of vitamin E may increase your risk of:

Hemorrhagic strokeⁱXIt is caused when blood vessels leak or burst inside of or on the surface of the brain, resulting in excess bleeding. (5)
Nausea
Fatigue
Weakness
Intestinal cramps
Headaches
Diarrhea and flatulence
Blurred vision
High creatinine in the urine

Apart from this, vitamin E is also found to interact or interfere with certain medications (5):

AnticoagulantⁱXA chemical that prevents coagulation of blood and is given to people with a risk of getting clots to prevent strokes and heart attacks. And AntiplateletⁱXDrugs that prevent platelets from sticking together and forming blood clots. It also provides relief from chest pain. Medicines: May increase the risk of bleeding.
Chemotherapy Or Radiation Drugs: May affect the efficacy of the treatment.
Simvastatin And Niacin: May interfere with the cardioprotectiveⁱXIt refers to a set of mechanisms that help keep the heart healthy by minimizing or preventing heart diseases. effects of the drugs.

The risks are only associated with the excessive intake of vitamin E supplements. Vitamin E from food sources does not cause any such side effects.

Quick Tip

Pure vitamin E oil may irritate your scalp. Therefore, it is necessary to dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut oil or olive oil.

Infographic: Benefits Of Vitamin E Oil For Hair

Vitamin E oil is great for all hair types. If you’re still wondering if vitamin E is good for hair, yes it is. It is beneficial to those who are experiencing hair loss and hair thinning. It promotes hair growth and adds shine to your tresses. However, people with certain conditions should avoid using this oil. Do a patch test before using it on your hair to avoid its side effects. Click on the infographic below to learn about the benefits of vitamin E oil for hair and who should avoid using it.

benefits of vitamin e oil for hair (infographic)

Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now.

Download Infographic

Research is limited regarding the beneficial effects of vitamin E for hair. However, this potent antioxidant can help to maintain your overall hair health. While you may use topical vitamin E products to maintain your scalp health, oral vitamin E supplements may help to nourish the scalp and hair from within. However, excess intake of vitamin E supplements may cause unwanted side effects. Therefore, before taking any supplements, consult a doctor to determine if you need to take them and the correct dosage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can vitamin E oil be applied directly on hair?

No, as it may cause an allergic reaction. Dilute it with any carrier oil or your regular hair oil before applying.

How often should you apply vitamin E to your hair?

You may use vitamin E-rich hair masks, shampoos, and conditioners 2-3 times a week.

Can I leave vitamin E on my hair overnight?

Yes, you may. However, ensure that it is diluted with hair oil, and you wash it off thoroughly the next morning.

Can vitamin E be mixed with coconut oil?

Yes, you may mix vitamin E and coconut oil.

Which oil is high in vitamin E?

Wheat germ oil has the highest percentage of vitamin E.

What is the best time to take vitamin E supplements?

Consult a doctor to know the right time for taking supplements.

Can vitamin E cure dandruff?

No. It cannot cure dandruff.

Can I leave vitamin E on my hair for 2 days?

There is currently no evidence that suggests that leaving vitamin E on your hair for 2 days is unsafe. However, it is mostly recommended that you leave the vitamin E on your hair overnight and rinse it out the next morning.

How many times can we a vitamin E capsule for hair?

You can mix vitamin E capsules with jojoba or coconut oil and apply the mixture to your scalp twice or thrice a week to improve your hair health.

Does excess vitamin E cause hair loss?

Yes, studies have linked the excess use of vitamin E capsules to hair loss (6). Consult your doctor for the correct dosage before usage.

Key Takeaways

Vitamin E prevents hair loss and promotes hair growth.
Consuming vitamin E supplements is the best way to provide vitamin E to your body.
However, vitamin E can cause intestinal cramps, nausea, weakness, and blurred vision if consumed more than required.

Learn how to use vitamin E oil for your scalp to nourish and protect your hair. Watch the video to know how to apply it and get the best results.

Personal Experience: Source

i. MY VITAMIN E MANTRA
https://luckyladysblossom.wordpress.com/2018/01/20/my-vitamin-e-mantra/

References:

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