Table of Contents
Introduction
Hair loss is common in women and can happen both young and old. Hair loss can affect confidence and self-esteem. While several factors cause hair loss, nutrient deficiency plays a significant role in hair loss and thinning, and one vitamin that is known to prevent this is vitamin E. Here’s the question: how does vitamin E help with hair loss?
This article will delve into the science behind vitamin E and hair loss, its benefits to hair health, its natural sources, and how to incorporate it into your hair care routine for stronger and healthier hair.
What is Vitamin E and Why Is It Important?
The vitamin is a fat-soluble antioxidant that is essential for skin, nail, and hair health. For hair health, it reduces oxidative stress, preventing hair damage. It also promotes blood circulation to the scalp and strengthens the hair follicles, preventing hair loss.
Vitamin E is available in eight forms, but alpha-tocopherol is the most biologically active form. This nutrient is essential, as it works well for promoting hair growth. According to a study, oxidative stress significantly contributes to hair loss, but with vitamin E, free radicals caused by oxidation can be neutralized and thus slow or stop hair shedding.
How Does Vitamin E Benefit Hair Health?
Vitamin E is beneficial to hair health in many ways, from damage prevention to improving the scalp health and strengthening the follicles. So, this is how vitamin E prevents hair loss.
1. Reduces Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between the production and accumulation of harmful molecules in cells and tissues and the ability of the body to clear these dangerous molecules.
When the body undergoes oxidative stress, the hair follicles will get weakened, causing the hair to shed, and may even lead to androgenic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that protects the body from oxidative damage, preventing hair shedding or loss.
2. Improves Scalp Circulation
Our hair thrives when there’s enough circulation to the scalp. Good blood circulation is vital as it delivers oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicle, which is necessary to maintain healthy hair. Vitamin E improves blood circulation to the scalp, giving the hair as much nutrients as it needs.
A healthy scalp also prevents dandruff and dryness. These two factors contribute to hair thinning. The scalp will remain moisturized by taking vitamin E orally or by topical application, improving overall hair health.
3. Strengthens Hair Follicles
When the hair is weak and brittle, it will be prone to breakage and thinning. With vitamin E, the lipid layer of the hair shaft is strengthened, improving the hair’s elasticity and resilience.
Also, vitamin E may improve keratin production, which is necessary for hair strength, structure, and growth. Vitamin E will help reduce split ends, frizz, and breakage by strengthening the hair follicles.
Signs of Vitamin E Deficiency
If your body lacks vitamin E, it will show on your hair and manifest in different ways.
- Your hair may become dry, brittle, or frizzy.
- Hair growth may be slowed down.
- Your scalp may become flaky, itchy, and irritated.
- Your hair may lose its shine and luster.
- Your hair may become prone to tangling.
- Vitamin E deficiency can cause split ends.
All these signs will eventually lead to hair thinning and loss.
Best Sources of Vitamin E for Hair Health
In order to get the full benefits of vitamin E, you can incorporate it into your diet, use it topically, or take supplements with vitamin E.
1. Vitamin E-Rich Foods
A balanced vitamin E diet can prevent hair loss and support hair growth. The best foods that contain vitamin E include;
- Nuts and Seeds, such as almonds, sunflower seeds, and hazelnuts.
- Leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, and Swiss chard.
- Vegetable oils, such as sunflower oil, olive oil, and wheat germ oil.
- Fruits like avocados, mangos, and kiwis.
- Fish like salmon and trout.
Adding these foods to your diet gives your body enough vitamin E to act as an antioxidant, protecting the hair follicles from damage and breakage.
2. Vitamin E for Topical Use
Applying vitamin E directly to the scalp can improve hydration, circulation, and follicle strength. Vitamin E products are available for topical application on the hair, and they may be in oil or lotion form.
How to use vitamin E oil for hair growth:
- Mix a few drops of vitamin E spoil with a carrier oil like coconut, jojoba, or olive oil.
- Gently massage into your scalp for about 5-10 minutes. This process improves blood circulation.
- Leave it in for 30-60 minutes or overnight, depending on your preference and comfort.
- Repeat this treatment 1-2 times a week for effective results.
NB: Before applying vitamin E oil to your entire scalp, perform a patch test first.
3. Vitamin E Supplements
Supplements that contain vitamin E may be used if you are not getting enough from your diet. Some of the best vitamin E supplements for hair growth include:
- Nature Made Vitamin E Supplement
- Solgar Vitamin E Supplement
- Garden of Life Code Raw Vitamin E Supplement
- Nature Bounty’s Hair, Skin and Nails
NB:
- When choosing supplements that contain vitamin E, go for natural vitamin E, like d-alpha-tocopherol, rather than synthetic versions, as vitamin E in its natural form is absorbed better and quicker.
- Always consult your doctor before taking vitamin E supplements (s).
Tips for Choosing for Using Vitamin E to Prevent Hair Loss
Follow these tips to harness the benefits of vitamin E:
- Maintain a Balanced Diet: Get vitamin E naturally from food before taking supplements. Ensure that your diet contains nuts, seeds, salmon, mangoes, olive oil, etc.
- Use Vitamin E Oil Sparingly: Before applying vitamin E oil on the scalp, carefully read the dosage recommendation. Applying too much can lead to greasy scalp and clogged pores.
- Avoid Overdosing on Supplements: Excessive consumption of vitamin E can lead to blood thinning and toxicity. Please consult your doctor for the recommended dose and stick to it.
- Combine with Other Hair Boosting Vitamins: Combine vitamin E with biotin, vitamin C, and iron for optimal hair health.
- Be Consistent: Whether through diet, topical, or oral supplements, remain consistent with Vitamin E, as it can take a while (about 3-6) of consistent use to see visible results.
- Try DIY Vitamin E-Rich Hair Masks: Adding homemade hair masks infused with Vitamin E can deeply nourish the scalp, strengthen hair strands, and promote growth.
DIY Vitamin E-Rich Hair Masks & Recipes
Want to give your hair a natural boost? These DIY Vitamin E-rich hair masks are packed with nutrients to nourish your scalp, strengthen strands, and reduce hair loss. Try these simple, practical recipes for healthier, shinier hair!
Avocado & Vitamin E Oil Hair Mask
This mask is perfect for dry, brittle, or thinning hair. Avocado is rich in healthy fats, biotin, and Vitamin E, which help repair damaged hair and lock in moisture.
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 tablespoon vitamin E oil or break open two capsules of vitamin E
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil or any other carrier oil.
- 1 teaspoon honey for hydration
How to prepare:
- Mash the avocado in a bowl until smooth and even.
- Add the vitamin oil, carrier oil, and honey into the bowl. Mix well.
- Apply the mixture to damp hair, focusing on the scalp and ends.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes to 1 hour, then rinse with a mild shampoo.
- Repeat once a week for best results.
Aloe Vera & Vitamin E Hair Mask
Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe irritated scalp, while vitamin E protects hair follicles from oxidative stress.
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel
- 1 tablespoon vitamin E oil
- 1 teaspoon of castor oil
- 5 drops of rosemary essential oil
How to prepare:
- Mix and blend all ingredients until smooth.
- Gently massage into your scalp and work through your hair.
- Leave for 30-60 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
- Use twice a week for effective results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, vitamin E can be applied directly to the scalp, but with a carrier oil like coconut, jojoba or olive oil to prevent irritation. It should also be applied sparingly to prevent greasiness and clogged pores.
Vitamin E cannot reverse hair loss completely, however, with consistent use, it may prevent further hair loss and promote hair growth by reducing oxidative stress, improving circulation to the scalp, and strengthening the hair follicles.
While the signs may differ from person to person, hair type, and from the level of deficiency, vitamin E deficiency can show on the hair as dry hair, slowed growth, excessive tangling, dull hair, and split ends.
Final Thoughts for You
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that plays a crucial role in protecting hair follicles from oxidative stress, improving scalp circulation, and strengthening hair strands. Whether you consume Vitamin E-rich foods, apply oil topically, or take supplements, incorporating vitamin E into your hair-care routine can promote healthier and stronger hair.
- Pizzino, G., Irrera, N., Cucinotta, M., et al. (2017). Oxidative stress: harms and benefits for human health. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity.
- Beoy, L.A., Woei, W.J. and Hay, Y.K. (2010). Effects of tocotrienol supplementation on hair growth in human volunteers.
- Mohammed, D. (2025). Vitamin e for hair growth – the science explained. harley street htc.
- Benefits of vitamin e capsules for hair growth. (n.d.). nyumi.
- Chavan, D.D. (2023). Does vitamin e help hair growth? HairMd Hair Transplant pune.
- Divya, M. (2025). Vitamin e capsules for hair: benefits, uses, and side effects. Truemeds.
