How to Use Vitamin E Oil for Hair

Preparing to Use Vitamin E Oil

Choose a natural form of vitamin E oil. Your body can more easily absorb and utilize natural forms of vitamin E. The synthetic version of vitamin E is called alpha-tocopherol acetate. This form may react with some beauty products, so it is best to choose a natural form of vitamin E oil, which you can find in a health food store, the vitamin aisle of a well-stocked grocery store, or online. Some food grade oils contain vitamin E as well, such as wheat germ oil, sunflower oil, and almond oil. Look on the packaging for d-alpha tocopherol, d-alpha tocopheryl acetate, or d-alpha tocopheryl succinate.

Test the oil on your skin before using. Some people are sensitive to vitamin E oil, so it is a good idea to test a little on your skin before using it on your hair. You can also develop a sensitivity to vitamin E oil over time, so pay attention to how the skin on your scalp looks and feels after a few days of using vitamin E oil. To test the oil, apply 1-2 drops to the inside of your wrist and then massage it in. Wait 24 hours and then check your wrist to see how it looks. If there is any redness, dryness, itching or swelling, do not use the oil. If the area looks and feels normal, then you can use the oil.

Consider taking a vitamin E supplement to promote hair growth. A very small study showed Vitamin E may be effective at promoting hair growth when taken as an oral supplement. Try taking two 50 mg capsules of vitamin E oil daily after eating a meal. For example, you could take one capsule after breakfast and the other one after dinner. As with any supplement, make sure that you check with your doctor first. Incorporate additional natural sources of vitamin E into your diet, too. Try nuts, seeds, green leafy vegetables, and plant oils, especially wheat germ and sunflower seed oil. You will get more vitamins from eating foods that are naturally high in vitamin E than taking a supplement.

Consider adding vitamin C. Vitamins E and C go well together because, in tandem, they are more effective at protecting hair and skin from damaging ultraviolet radiation. If you're taking topical vitamin E, you should take topical vitamin C. Similarly, if you take oral vitamin E, you should take oral vitamin C. These two will be more effective than either on their own.

Conditioning Your Hair with Vitamin E Oil

Use a small amount. Oil goes a long way, so it is not necessary to use much. Start with a quarter-sized amount and then add a little more if necessary. You may need more or less depending on the length and thickness of your hair. EXPERT TIP Ndeye Anta Niang Ndeye Anta Niang Professional Hair Stylist Ndeye Anta Niang is a Hair Stylist, Master Braider, and Founder of AntaBraids, a traveling braiding service based in New York City. Ndeye has over 20 years of experience in African hair including braiding box braids, Senegalese twists, crochet braids, faux dread locs, goddess locs, kinky twists, and lakhass braids. Ndeye was the first female of her tribe in Africa to move to America and is now sharing her knowledge of African braids passed on from generation to generation. Ndeye Anta Niang Ndeye Anta Niang Professional Hair Stylist Our Expert Agrees: Vitamin E hot oil treatments can help prevent your hair from getting split ends. However, don't overdo it—you just need enough to lightly coat your hair. If you saturate your hair with the oil, the excess will just sit on top of your hair and clog your pores.

Apply vitamin E oil like conditioner. You can use Vitamin E oil in place of your daily conditioner to keep your hair soft and manageable. Shampoo your hair and rinse well, then wring out the excess water from your hair. Then, pour a quarter-sized amount of Vitamin E oil into the palm of your hand. The oil is typically thick and greasy. Mix a few drops of vitamin E into regular conditioner or buy a premixed conditioner.

Use your fingertips to massage the oil into your scalp. You can apply the oil directly to your scalp and begin working it into the roots of your hair with your fingertips. Use gentle circular motions to work the vitamin E oil into your scalp. Vitamin E can be absorbed through your skin and it may even be a more effective means of delivering the vitamin into your cells.

Wrap your head in a warm, moist cotton towel. If you want to give yourself a deep conditioning treatment, then you can wrap a warm moist, cotton towel around your head and leave it on for up to an hour. The heat will help to increase the absorption of vitamin E into your hair and scalp. To make a towel warm and moist, fill your sink or a large bowl with hot water and dip the towel into it. Then wring out the excess water and wrap the towel around your head.

Rinse out the vitamin E oil. When you are ready, remove the towel from your head (if using). Then, rinse the vitamin E oil out of your hair with warm water. Dry your hair and style as usual.

Treat split ends with vitamin E oil. You can also use vitamin E oil as a spot treatment for split ends. To use vitamin E oil to repair split ends, pour out a quarter-sized amount of vitamin E oil into the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together then take the ends of your hair between your hands, working the vitamin E oil into the ends. Leave the oil on your hair and style as usual. You can use this treatment on wet or dry hair.