Vitamin E Oil, the Old-School Fix That Never Left

Long before serums had ingredient lists on the front, vitamin E oil was the thing grandmothers kept for dry cuticles and rough patches. It is a fat-soluble antioxidant, which is why formulators add it to so many other oils to help protect them. The first thing to know when shopping for vitamin E oil is that pure tocopherol is very thick and best used in small amounts on dry spots, nails and ends of hair. Cliganic sells a pure vitamin E oil for face, skin, hair and nails, the simplest version of the idea. Bobbi Brown's Extra Face Oil goes the other way, blending vitamin E with other softening oils into something you can press over the whole face.

Retrouvé's Balancing Face Oil pairs vitamins E and C in a small, precise bottle. NOW Foods makes a straightforward vitamin E formula for spot use on dry skin.

The common mistake with any rich oil is using too much, which leaves skin greasy rather than soft. Two or three drops warmed between the palms and pressed over moisturiser is enough for a face, and a single drop handles cuticles. Pure formulas are best at night or on the body, while blended face oils like Bobbi Brown and Retrouvé can sit under makeup in winter. Patch test first if you are breakout-prone, because heavy oils do not suit every skin. What I would skip is using pure vitamin E as a full-face moisturiser on oily skin, where it usually feels heavy.