Vitamin E Oil for Hair: Benefits, Uses, and Tips for Healthier Hair

If you’re after shiny, strong, healthy hair, you might want to try incorporating vitamin E oil for hair into your routine.

You’ll often find vitamin E oil in hair care products, right alongside other oils for hair growth like castor and argan oil.

Known for its powerful antioxidant properties and moisturizing benefits, vitamin E oil is a popular ingredient in skin and hair care products that promise to support scalp health, strengthen hair, and boost shine.

But what can vitamin E really do for your hair? Can it tackle dandruff, frizz, and hair loss — or is that just a myth?

Below, we dive into everything you need to know about the benefits of vitamin E oil for hair health, including how to use it to keep your hair healthy and shiny.

Vitamin E, or tocopherol, is a potent antioxidant that occurs naturally in foods like nuts, seeds, and leafy greens.

When people talk about vitamin E oil, they’re usually talking about pure vitamin E oil or oils that are naturally rich in vitamin E, such as:

• Wheatgerm oil

• Avocado oil

• Sunflower oil

• Grapeseed oil

You can massage vitamin E oil directly into your scalp, mix it with other oils, or even add it to your shampoo and conditioner for an extra dose of shine. Some hair care products, like conditioners, already come enriched with vitamin E.

Don’t forget, you can also get your dose of vitamin E through foods or supplements. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend that teenagers and adults aim for about 15 mg of vitamin E daily. But most people in the U.S. fall short on this recommendation.

Vitamin E oil can help with many hair issues, including frizz, dryness, and even poor scalp health. Let’s dive into what vitamin E does for your hair in more detail.

1. Promotes Blood Circulation and Hair Growth

Healthy hair growth starts with a healthy scalp. Vitamin E oil may help improve blood circulation in the scalp, which can boost oxygen and nutrient delivery to hair follicles, encouraging hair growth.

When you apply it to the scalp, vitamin E helps stimulate blood flow, which may help you maintain thicker, healthier hair over time.

2. Moisturizes and Conditions the Scalp

Dealing with a dry, flake scalp? Vitamin E can help moisturize and condition your scalp, limiting flakiness. The extra moisture can also help soothe itchiness and prevent dandruff.

3. Protects Hair from Environmental Stressors

Exposure to the sun, hard water, sweat, and other environmental factors can take a toll on your hair. Vitamin E oil’s protective qualities make it a great shield against these daily stressors.

Stressors like pollutants, UV radiation, and cigarette smoke can cause free radicals to form in your body. Free radicals can cause oxidative damage to skin and hair cells, speeding up the aging process.

Oxidative stress, when the body struggles to cope with oxidative damage, may impact scalp health and lead to early hair loss, according to some research.

Antioxidants like vitamin E protect against oxidative stress by binding to free radicals and helping your body get rid of them.

4. Prevents Breakage and Adds Shine

Breakage, damaged hair, and split ends can make your hair look dull and lifeless.

Vitamin E oil keeps your scalp and hair shafts healthy thanks to its rich, emollient properties, which create a protective barrier around hair strands, locking in hydration. This helps reduce the likelihood of breakage and add natural shine to your hair.

Vitamin E is a nourishing, moisturizing hair oil — but can it actually help with hair loss?

Unfortunately, there’s not enough research to confirm that vitamin E can boost hair growth.

Here’s what we do know:

• It can boost blood flow to the scalp. Vitamin E can improve blood circulation throughout the body. Blood circulation in the scalp is essential for a healthy hair growth cycle.

• Low levels might be connected to balding. Some research suggests that people with androgenetic alopecia (AKA male pattern baldness) have lower levels of vitamin E. However, other studies found no notable difference in vitamin E levels between people with male pattern hair loss and people without it.

If you’ve noticed signs of hair loss, using vitamin E oil might not hurt, but you’re probably better off opting for science-backed hair loss treatments like finasteride, minoxidil foam, or minoxidil solution. These FDA-approved medications are first-line treatments for hair loss. And combining them might offer even better results. You can find the two in our topical finasteride and minoxidil spray.

Hair loss usually gets worse over time, so it’s important to seek medical help as soon as you notice the signs of balding. The earlier you treat it, the better.

So, how do you use vitamin E oil for hair health? You have a few options:

• Apply it directly to your scalp and hair. Mix a few drops of vitamin E oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil to dilute it and make it easier to spread. Then massage this blend into your scalp and hair.

• Add it to shampoos and conditioners. You can buy vitamin E hair care products ready to use or add a few drops of vitamin E oil to your favorite shampoo or conditioner.

• Use as a leave-in treatment. Vitamin E oil can work as a leave-in treatment, hair mask, or natural detangler. Apply a small amount to damp hair, focusing on the ends.

• Eat foods rich in vitamin E. Great hair starts from the inside. Leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and avocados are all great sources of vitamin E.

• Take a vitamin E supplement. If necessary, you can add a vitamin E supplement to your daily wellness routine. Our biotin gummies contain vitamin E and a range of other essential vitamins for healthy hair growth.

As always, it’s important not to overdo it. Don’t apply too much vitamin E oil to your scalp or hair, as it can make your hair oily.

And while a vitamin E-rich diet can be great, you don’t want to exceed the recommended daily serving size for vitamin E supplements. Consult with a healthcare professional if you’re not sure whether vitamin E supplements are necessary for you.

Curious about improving your hair care routine? Read about our go-to hair care tips for men.

While vitamin E oil can be a great option for some hair types, it's not for everyone.

If you have frizzy or dry hair, moisturizing vitamin E oil can add softness and shine while protecting against breakage and dryness.

However, if your scalp is oily or your hair is fine, vitamin E oil might be too heavy.  It can make your hair feel greasy or weighed down, so use it sparingly and just on the ends.

Dealing with a scalp health condition? Check with a healthcare provider before using vitamin E oil. It can sometimes aggravate certain skin issues, so getting a professional opinion is a smart move.

Applying vitamin E to your scalp is usually safe. But potential side effects can include:

• Mild irritation

• Allergic reactions

• Excessive oiliness

Too much vitamin E oil can also cause product buildup and clog pores, which might hinder hair growth. Use it sparingly to avoid weighing down your hair.

If you’re looking to soothe a dry scalp or reduce frizz, vitamin E oil might be a good choice. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that may help your hair look shiny and healthy.

Let’s recap what we know about vitamin E oil for hair:

• Vitamin E oil is a hair-friendly oil. It can promote scalp health, prevent hair breakage, and protect your hair from environmental damage.

• There are a few possible sources of vitamin E. You can apply it topically or get it through vitamin E-rich foods and supplements.

• It’s not clear whether vitamin E can stop hair loss. There’s no evidence to support its use as a hair loss treatment.

Thinking of changing up your hair care routine? Consider investing in hair care products that contain vitamin E.

If you’ve noticed the signs of hair loss, don’t delay getting treatment. The sooner you treat your hair loss, the better.

The first step is to speak with a healthcare professional. We can help you make a convenient online appointment today. Take our short quiz to get started.