Vitamin E for hair - Oral vs Topical Use

What is Vitamin E?

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that plays a crucial role in protecting cells from oxidative stress. It exists in eight forms — four tocopherols and four tocotrienols — with α-tocopherol being the most common in skincare, and tocotrienols gaining attention for their potent biological effects. Known for supporting skin health, immune function, and cellular repair, Vitamin E is also widely used in hair and scalp products — though its effectiveness depends greatly on how it's delivered.

1. Why Topical Vitamin E is Ineffective for Hair

Topical Vitamin E is good for the skin surface such as protect skin from UV damage, support skin barrier repair, reduces inflammation and may improve wound healing, However, Vitamin E molecules are relatively large and lipophilic (oil-loving). They don’t easily penetrate deeply into the hair follicle, which is the root zone critical for hair growth. They don’t easily penetrate deeply into the hair follicle, which is the root zone critical for hair growth. Here's why:

• Large Molecular Size and Poor Skin Penetration: Vitamin E molecules are relatively large and oil-soluble, making them less effective at penetrating the scalp's outer layer (stratum corneum). This limits their ability to reach hair follicles where growth stimulation is needed.

• Surface-Level Benefits: While topical application can provide moisture and antioxidant protection to the scalp, it doesn't address deeper follicular health or stimulate hair growth effectively, if it does not penetrate that well into the scalp.

• Oxidative Stress and Scalp Health: Topical Vitamin E may help reduce oxidative stress on the scalp's surface, but it doesn't significantly impact the underlying causes of hair loss, such as hormonal imbalances or nutrient deficiencies.

How to make Topical Vitamin E more effective for hair

While Topical Vitamin E doesn't penetrate deep enough , it doesn't mean Vitamin E does not work for hair. If you can make topical Vitamin E penetrate more effectively, then Topical Vitamin E can work effectively for your hair. There are two ways to make Topical Vitamin E penetrate more effectively.

• The first way is combine a topical Vitamin E serum with microneedling
• The second way is use nano-emulsified or liposomal Vitamin E for better follicular penetration.

What is Nano-Emulsified Vitamin E?

• Nano-emulsions are tiny droplets (typically 20-200 nanometers) of Vitamin E suspended in a liquid.

• These droplets are much smaller than regular oil droplets, which helps Vitamin E:

  • Spread more evenly on skin or scalp.

  • Penetrate better into deeper layers or hair follicles.

• Because of the tiny size, nano-emulsified Vitamin E is more bioavailable and absorbed better.

What is Liposomal Vitamin E?

• Liposomes are microscopic spherical vesicles made from phospholipids (similar to cell membranes).

• Vitamin E is encapsulated inside these liposomes.

• The liposome can fuse with the skin or scalp cells, delivering Vitamin E directly into cells.

• This also improves stability of Vitamin E (which is sensitive to oxidation) and enhances delivery.

Are nano-emulsified or liposomal Vitamin E More expensive?

• Yes, generally more costly than standard Vitamin E oils or creams because:

  • The production process is more complex.

  • Requires special equipment and formulation expertise.

  • Higher-quality raw materials (phospholipids for liposomes, specialized emulsifiers for nano-emulsions).

Prices can vary widely depending on the manufacturer, purity, and scale, but expect nano or liposomal Vitamin E to be at least 2-3x more expensive than regular Vitamin E oils.

✅ Final Verdict for Topical Vitamin E

It is not worth it to put nano-emulsified or liposomal Vitamin E in a hair serum because if you want the benefits of Vitamin E for hair, it will be better to take Vitamin E orally than topically. Taking Vitamin E orally is more practical and cost efficient than having an expensive nanotechnology-based delivery system for topical Vitamin E serum. We can always replace Topical Vitamin E with other ingredients that work well topically on hair. If you next time see a hair serum advertising Vitamin E, do ask them about the delivery method. That is why our REGENSIFY Redensifying Hair Regrowth serum does not come with Topical Vitamin E.

2. Oral Vitamin E: A More Effective Approach for Hair Growth

In contrast, oral supplementation of Vitamin E, particularly in the form of tocotrienols, has shown promising results in supporting hair growth. A study conducted in Ipoh, Malaysia by Lim Ai Beoy, Wong Jia Woei, and Yuen Kah Hay investigated the effects of tocotrienol supplementation on hair growth in human volunteers. The study found that:

• Study Design: Twenty-one volunteers were randomly assigned to receive 100 mg of tocotrienols daily, while 17 volunteers received a placebo.

• Results: After 8 months, the tocotrienol group experienced a 34.5% increase in hair count, compared to a 0.1% decrease in the placebo group. 

• Mechanism: The observed hair growth was attributed to tocotrienols' potent antioxidant activity, which helps reduce oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the scalp—factors associated with hair loss.

Based on the clinical study, an observation seen is the significant increase in hair counts took place from month 4 to month 8 rather than month 1 to month 4. It means patience is important and taking it everyday consistently is needed to get the results. We have attached the Tocotreniol clinical study below so you can download and read yourself. If you are looking for a good anti hair loss supplement with 100 mg of Tocotrienol, you can take a look at our REGENSIFY Redensifying Hair Nutrition. 

The REGENSIFY Redensifying Hair Nutrition is an Advanced Hair Nutrition Supplementation formulated with patented ingredient AnaGain™ Nu, DHT Blockers (Saw Palmetto, Ecklonia Cava), Coenzyme Q10, L-Carnitine L-Tartrate, Tocotrienol, Tripeptide Collagen, Biotin, Keratin, Vitamin D3, Zinc and Iron.

✅ Combining hair supplement (E.g REGENSIFY Redensifying Hair Nutrition) with hair serum (E.g. REGENSIFY Redensifying Hair Regrowth Serum) gives you better 1+1>2 results. Here's why:

• Taking DHT Blockers orally is better than using topical DHT Blockers
• Topical is better than Oral when it comes to stimulating the hair
• If you just had a hair transplant, it is better to take a hair supplement because your newly transplanted hairs need all the nutrients (Vitamin E, CoQ10, Zinc, Iron etc) to thrive in a new scalp environment. Finasteride and Minoxidil do not provide the nourishing nutrients needed for transplanted hair
• For men who are afraid to take Finasteride or Dutasteride, then taking a hair supplement with natural DHT Blockers (Saw Palmetto + Ecklonia Cava) is a good alternative to keep your DHT in control, as well as nourish and maintain your hair

✅ Adding CoQ10 enhances Tocotrienol (Vitamin E) absorption in the body and creates synergistic effects. This synergistic effect can lead to increased levels of both CoQ10 and Vitamin E in the body, as well as enhanced antioxidant protection. The REGENSIFY Redensifying Hair Nutrition is the only hair supplement that has 100 mg of CoQ10 + 100 mg of Tocotrienol (Vitamin E).

✅ Do note that not many hair supplement brands in the market have the exact clinical dosage of 100 mg tocotrienol that is tested in the clinical study. Many of these hair supplements have less than 100 mg of tocotrienol (including Nutrafol and Viviscal).

REDENSIFY YOUR HAIR WITH REGENSIFY

DOWNLOAD Effects of Tocotrienol Supplementation on Hair Growth in Human Volunteers

DOWNLOAD Redensifying Hair Nutrition Catalog

DOWNLOAD Redensifying Hair Nutrition Clinical Study

Disclaimer: All brand names and trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only, based on publicly available data and clinical studies.