Best Vitamin E Supplements

Buying guide for best vitamin e supplements

Written by Melissa Nott

Updated March 2023

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that prevents free radical damage to your cells and carries a host of health benefits. This fat-soluble vitamin occurs naturally in foods such as almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, and even avocadoes. Vitamin E supplements provide an easy way to get a potent dose of this important antioxidant and can even be applied topically.

Is your hair thinning? Do you suffer from bad PMS? Are your cholesterol levels out of balance? You may benefit from supplementing with vitamin E. If you’re not sure about taking this vitamin, we recommend reading our guide for in-depth information. For a trusted selection of vitamin E products, don’t miss our shortlist of the brands and formulas that stand out.

Vitamin E oil applied topically acts as a moisturizing agent, locking in hydration and fostering smooth, radiant skin.

Health benefits of vitamin E

Vitamin E plays an important role in our bodies. As an antioxidant, it protects the cells from free radicals, which are unstable molecules that may lead to cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and other chronic illnesses. It’s an important nutrient for the brain, blood, and skin. It’s necessary for cardiac, skeletal, and muscle functioning and maintenance. Lastly, vitamin E is important for healthy vision and reproduction.

The following are just some of the healthy functions of vitamin E.

• Prevents clots from forming in the arteries and reduces hardening of artery walls
• Combats dangerous oxidation of LDL cholesterol
• Repairs photodamaged skin when used orally or topically, and slows the aging process
• When applied topically to the skin, aids the healing process of sunburns and scars
• Thickens hair
• Balances hormones naturally and reduces PMS symptoms
• Improves vision and reduces macular degeneration associated with age
• Promotes red blood cell formation and blood circulation
• Improves physical endurance and muscle strength
• May reduce the appearance of wrinkles when taken orally or applied topically

Forms of vitamin E

Vitamin E consists of eight different compounds: four types of tocopherols and four types of tocotrienols. The majority of synthetic vitamin E supplements consist of gamma-tocopherol or dl-alpha-tocopherol, the least-helpful isomers in fighting disease.

Eating vitamin E–rich food sources is the best way to get all eight of the isomers. Vitamin E is only found in plant foods. Almonds and sunflower seeds are the top sources that provide over 200% of your daily value, followed by hazelnuts and wheat germ. Fruits like papayas and avocados also provide vitamin E, as do vegetables like broccoli and spinach. 

• Supplement forms of vitamin E are dissolved in a carrier oil that comes in either softgel or serum form. We recommend one that includes all four tocopherols and all four tocotrienols. If you can’t find that, choose one with mixed tocopherols.
• Serum vitamin E supplements come in bottles of oil with a thick liquid consistency. For accurate or custom titration, choose a serum with a medicine dropper. Some liquid formulas are versatile for both oral consumption and topical use. It’s best to mix the serum into food or a drink for consumption. Other serums are designed for skincare only.
• Softgel capsules of vitamin E are the most common way to take the antioxidant orally. They are tasteless and generally easy to swallow. Users can also squeeze or pop them open to apply topically, though not without causing some mess.

Vitamin E supplement features

Dosage

Softgels range in dosage from 250 IU to 1,000 IU of vitamin E. IU stands for international units, though milligram measurements are usually listed as well. Serums usually offer 400 IU per dropper for oral consumption.

Skincare

Liquid vitamin E formulas designed for topical use may be suspended in a carrier like jojoba or coconut oil. Some include added vitamin C or other skin-enhancing ingredients.

Vegan/vegetarian

If you’re vegetarian or vegan, choose gelatin-free softgels. Buyers should be aware that glycerin can be an animal product found in softgels, too.

Gluten-free

If you suffer from celiac disease or a gluten intolerance, you can’t be too careful when it comes to what you ingest and put on your skin. Select a vitamin E product labeled gluten-free.

Vitamin E supplement prices

Vitamin E softgel capsules can be purchased for as little as $9 for a 100-count bottle. However, some of these may be made from a synthetic form of vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol) that some health experts say to avoid.

For $10 to $15, you can purchase higher-dosage vitamin E softgels and serums for oral consumption.

For a natural or food-sourced vitamin E supplement, expect to pay $15 to $20.

Vitamin E oils used only for skincare range from $8 to $18. Beauty brands carry serums containing vitamin E that range from $30 to $50. Some luxury brands price these hydrating and anti-aging products at $100.

Tips

• Because it is fat-soluble, vitamin E is best taken with food containing fat.
• Apply vitamin E oil to your scalp to reduce flakiness or dryness. You can also put a few drops of the oil onto dull or dry hair.
• If you’re taking blood thinners, including aspirin, consult with your doctor before taking vitamin E because it can act like an anticoagulant.
• Store vitamin E supplements in a dry, cool place because they lose potency when exposed to air, light, and heat. Some liquid formulas of vitamin E need to be refrigerated.
• Apply vitamin E oil daily under your eyes to reduce dark circles.
• Vitamin E interacts with several medications, such as statins, so consult with your doctor before taking this supplement.
• If vitamin E oil feels too sticky on your skin, look for a product cut with carrier oils, such as jojoba oil, for fast absorption.

Other products we considered

An inexpensive vitamin E oil that you can apply to your face and body, Eden’s Semilla 100% Natural Vitamin E Oil is purely derived from natural vitamin E sources like almonds and sunflowers. Because vitamin E normally has a sticky viscosity, we love that this beauty product is blended with pure rosehip and jojoba oil for non-greasy absorption into your skin and hair. The oil provides powerful antioxidant protection for your skin with 35,000 IUs of vitamin E, and its 100% money back guarantee makes it a risk-free purchase.

From a trusted brand of health supplements, Solgar Natural Source Vitamin E 400 IU provides mixed tocopherols, including d-alpha tocopherol, and is free from synthetic forms of vitamin E. It’s a popular product for resolving skin and hair issues. Those concerned with GMOs, gluten contamination, and other purity issues will be happy to know that Solgar’s products always follow clean standards for formulation.

For an inexpensive scar treatment, apply vitamin E serum to a healing scar or even stretch marks.

FAQ

Q. How much vitamin E should I take daily?

A. The daily intake the USDA recommends for people ages 14 years and older is 15 mg (22.4 IU). That is also the recommended dosage for pregnant women. Breastfeeding women have a daily allowance that’s a bit more at 19 mg (28.5 IU). Some health practitioners recommend 80 IU per day.

The upper intake level for adults (18 years of age and up) is 1,000 mg a day (1,500 IU) and should only be taken under the supervision of a doctor to treat a vitamin E deficiency.

Q. What are the risks associated with taking vitamin E?

A. Taking a high dose of vitamin E (400 IU a day or more) should be avoided if you have had a stroke or a heart attack or if you have heart disease or diabetes. Some side effects include nausea, headache, diarrhea, fatigue, blurred vision, muscle weakness, and bleeding. Topical vitamin E can cause a rash for some users. Always consult with your health practitioner before starting a new supplement.

Q. Could I be deficient in vitamin E?

A. Vitamin E deficiencies are rare and usually not caused by a poor diet. Because vitamin E needs fat to absorb it, people with fat and malabsorption issues may be at risk, including those suffering from Crohn’s disease, IBS, cystic fibrosis, and liver disease. Those who have had gastric bypass surgery may also be at risk. Symptoms of vitamin E deficiency include impaired vision and speech, nerve pain, and loss of muscle coordination.