Treatments abound for acne. They run the gamut from topical to internal, and all work to clear up stubborn acne breakouts. However, some of the more traditional treatment methods like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or oral medications like Accutane may not work for everyone. This has given rise to alternative treatments. An especially popular one is applying vitamin E oil to the skin to reduce breakouts and acne scars.
What Is Vitamin E Oil?
Vitamin E is different from other vitamins, in that lacking it will not cause a disease. However, the presence of this substance provides numerous benefits since it's an antioxidant and offers the immune system a significant boost. Since it can work to reduce damage to cell membranes, it works well as an agent for healthy skin. It rids the skin of free radicals and can smooth the appearance of damaged skin. Vitamin E oil is merely an encapsulated form of this substance that can be taken as an oral supplement or a topical application.
How Vitamin E Works for Acne
Vitamin E works in the treatment of acne because it reduces the level of free radicals in the skin, which can produce damage, blemishes and infection. Since it is an antioxidant, it can even have a role in preventing skin cancer. That being said, the most impressive benefits involve the reduction of new blemishes and the fading of old scars, including red marks and even pit marks.
Find Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E oil is readily available in multiple forms. The most common form is a capsule that is filled with the oil. You can usually take this sort of supplement orally as a part of your daily vitamin regimen. However, some people opt to break open the capsules and apply the oil directly to the skin. Both methods are effective in the management of acne and acne scars.
Apply to the Skin
Even though vitamin E oil is very effective on acne, it may be too harsh for some skin types. To prevent a bad reaction, test a small area of your skin with the oil first, before applying all over the face. A good test spot is the inside of the arm, which is typically rather sensitive. If you don't have a negative reaction, apply the oil to your troublesome breakouts. Leave the oil on for a few minutes before rinsing with warm water.
Signs You Should Discontinue Use
It's possible to develop a sensitivity to vitamin E oil over time. Should this happen, it's a wise idea to discontinue use right away. Signs that you should stop and possibly seek medical attention include redness, tightness of the skin, irritation, rashes, worsened acne breakouts, eczema breakout or hives. If you notice any change in your skin (other than improvement) when using vitamin E oil, you should seek a different mode of treatment.
