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Every wondered what facial and skin care oils are highest in Vitamin E?
In this article we will discuss the benefits of topically applying Vitamin E to the skin as well as what natural oils contain the highest amounts.
How Does Vitamin E Benefit the Skin?
The term, “Vitamin E” refers to a group of 8 fat-soluble vitamins, including four forms of tocopherol (α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol) and four forms of tocotrienol (α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocotrienol). These vitamins have antioxidant properties in the body and on the skin. Antioxidants fight free radicals that contribute to premature aging.
Vitamin E is found in the epidermis and dermis of human skin, it is the most abundant lipophilic antioxidant found on human skin. Vitamin E levels within the skin decline with UV light exposure and with age.
Due to its lipophilic nature, vitamin E can penetrate into all underlying layers of the skin. Topical application of vitamin E can help increase the photo-protection of the skin and prevent/repair sun and pollution-related damage.
The photo-protective benefits of topical vitamin E application have been shown to increase when vitamin C is also present.
For more information on Vitamin E and its effects on skin health, this is an excellent resource:
https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/vitamin-E
Oils with both Vitamin C and E
The only oil I found that has been shown to contain both vitamin C and E was sea buckthorn berry oil. For this reason, it is now my number one recommended facial oil for all skin types to protect against photo-aging.
A List of Natural Oils and Their Vitamin E Content
This list is organized from the highest content to the lowest.
Pomegranate Seed Oil
Pomegranate seed oil has an average Vitamin E content of 330mg/100g - Source
Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil
Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil has an average Vitamin E content of 290.5mg/100g - Source
Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil also contains Vitamin C and other nutrients. Learn more here.
[Read: Benefits of Sea Buckthorn Oil for the Skin : A Nutritional Anomaly]
Cranberry Seed Oil
Cranberry seed oil has an average Vitamin E content of 237.77mg/100g - Source
Red Raspberry Seed Oil
Red raspberry seed oil has an average Vitamin E content of 197.2mg/100g - Source
[Read: 7 Fantastic Raspberry Seed Oil Benefits – Healthy Skin for Life]
Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil
Sea Buckthorn Seed oil has an average Vitamin E content of 182mg/100g - Source
[Read: Benefits of Sea Buckthorn Oil for the Skin : A Nutritional Anomaly]
Wheat Germ Oil
Wheat germ oil has an average Vitamin E content of 149.4mg/100g - Source
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil has an average Vitamin E content of 139.55mg/100g - Source
[Read: Therapeutic Properties and Health Benefits of Grape Seed Oil]
Amaranth Seed Oil
Amaranth seed oil has an average Vitamin E content of 111.2mg/100g - Source
Camelina Seed Oil
Camelina seed oil has an average Vitamin E content of 110 mg/100g - Source
Prickly Pear Seed Oil
Prickly pear or Barbary Fig seed oil has an average Vitamin E content of 105mg/100g - Source
[Read: 9 Prickly Pear Oil Benefits That Will Make Your Skin Look Younger Overnight!]
Hemp Seed Oil
Hemp seed oil has an average Vitamin E content of 90mg/100g - Source
Apricot Kernel Oil
Apricot kernel oil has an average Vitamin E content of 76.45mg/100g - Source
[Read: Apricot Kernel-Best Oil for Eyes]
Black Currant Seed Oil
Black Current seed oil has an average Vitamin E content of 71.8mg/100g - Source
[Read: 9 Best Natural Oils For The Skin & Why You Should Use Them]
Borage Seed Oil
Borage seed oil has an average Vitamin E content of 71.22mg/100g - Source
Argan Oil
Argan oil has an average Vitamin E content of 63.7mg/100g - Source
[Read: What is Moroccan Argan Oil]
Hazelnut Oil
Hazelnut oil has an average Vitamin E content of 47.2mg/100g - Source
Goji Berry Seed Oil
Goji berry seed oil has an average Vitamin E content of 42.05mg/100g - Source
Sesame Seed Oil
Sesame seed oil has an average Vitamin E content of 41.2mg/100g - Source
Sunflower Seed Oil
Sunflower seed oil has an average Vitamin E content of 41.08mg/100g - Source
Almond Oil
Almond oil has an average Vitamin E content of 39.2mg/100g - Source
Safflower Seed Oil
Safflower seed oil has an average Vitamin E content of 34.1mg/100g - Source
Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose oil has an average Vitamin E content of 34mg/100g - Source
Rice Bran Oil
Rice bran oil has an average Vitamin E content of 32.3mg/100g - Source
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Pumpkin seed oil has an average Vitamin E content of 28mg/100g - Source
[Read: Not Just a Fall Fruit- The Year Round Benefits of Pumpkin]
Watermelon Seed Oil
Watermelon seed oil has an average Vitamin E content of 20.1mg/100g - Source
Babassu Oil
Babassu oil has an average Vitamin E content of 19.1mg/100g - Source
Sacha Inchi Seed Oil
Sacha Inchi seed oil has an average Vitamin E content of 17mg/100g - Source
[Read: How Sacha Inchi Oil Can Benefit Aging and Acne-Prone Skin]
Perilla Seed Oil
Perilla or Shiso seed oil has an Average Vitamin E content of 15.2mg/100g - Source
[Read: Top 10 Best Natural Face Oils for Acne : Get Clear Skin]
Olive Oil
Olive oil has an average Vitamin E content of 14.39mg/100g - Source
Marula Oil
Marula oil has an average Vitamin E content of 13.7 mg/100g - Source
Black Raspberry Seed Oil
Black raspberry seed oil has an average Vitamin E content of 13.19mg/100g - Source
Black Cumin Seed
Black Cumin seed oil has an average Vitamin E content of 3.81mg/100g - Source
Walnut Oil
Walnut oil has an average Vitamin E content of 3.8mg/100g - Source
Conclusion
I hope this list helps you in your search for skincare oils that are high in Vitamin E. As you can see, there are quite a few of them!
If you have any questions please leave them in the comments below because I love to help!
Were you surprised that Pomegranate seed oil has the highest amount?
This is really a lovely informative article. Have you looked at Jojoba oil? I read that it is high in vitamin E and would love to know where it sits on your list of oils and how much vitamin E it contains per 100g. I’m going to make some lip balm and I react to wheat-germ unfortunately so was looking for alternatives. I thought using Jojoba as my base oil might be a good choice. Pomegranate seed oil would be better but I don’t have any and I believe it is pricey.
Hi Julia, I have searched far and wide for information on how much vitamin E jojoba oil has, and I can’t find it! There are many articles saying that jojoba oil contains vitamin E, but none that tell me the actual content in percentage or milligrams. I know that Jojoba oil would make a great base for a lip balm, but unfortunately, I can’t tell you how much vitamin E it has.