How to Use Vitamin E Oil For Shiny, Healthy Nails (2024)

If healthy nails is your goal, vitamin E oil is not something you want to skip. It’s the finishing touch for every manicure, and for good reason—after all the vitamin E oil hydrates, strengthens, and protects all in one. And brands have also taken note. A quick scan in the nail or skin aisle will reveal just how pervasive the ingredient is—it’s infused in many of the nail oils and hand creams on the market today. Needless to say, it does a world of good for the look and feel of your nails. To help you discover all of the benefits of incorporating vitamin E oil within your routine, we chatted with a few dermatologists to uncover why and how to use vitamin E oil for your nails.

What Is Vitamin E OIl?

Sure, it’s a vitamin, but how does it nourish your nails? According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, vitamin E acts as an antioxidant to help protect against free radical damage to the nails while deeply hydrating and healing both the plates and the surrounding skin (aka, your cuticles).

More specifically—and more scientifically—board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Michele Green says that vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that comes in many forms—which means you might already be using it without even realizing it.

“Its most common form is known as alpha-tocopheryl,” she explains. “There are eight different types of vitamin E—the most popular forms of Vitamin E in skincare is tocopherol and tocopheryl acetate.” While there are different variations of tocopherol, she says that gamma and delta are the most effective, as those are the types that work best as antioxidants.

Beyond the super scientific differentiations, Green explains that, in addition to hydrating and protecting the nails, vitamin E helps to fight off invading bacteria and viruses. Additionally, it helps to widen blood vessels. In regards to your nails, this all means that vitamin E may help to make them strong and healthy—not brittle, dry, and ridged.

Benefits of Vitamin E Oil for Nails

• It helps maintain healthy nails. “Vitamin E oil supplies all the necessary benefits you need to grow healthy and long nails,” Green explains, noting that it can be applied to nails and cuticles for strengthening and added hydration. “Vitamin E oil’s moisturizing benefits may also support nail health by preventing cracked cuticles and dry skin around the nail bed.”
• It can reverse damage on nails. It’s no secret that some nail polish and nail polish remover can be particularly damaging to the nails. Fortunately, vitamin E oil may work to repair and protect against damage: “Using Vitamin E oil on your nail bed and cuticle can reverse damage caused from nail polish remover and nail polish,” Green says.
• It can eliminate yellowing of the nails. If you’re constantly switching between polish colors, you may notice your nails switching to a yellow tint. While holding off on polish for a few days can help the shade fade, Green says that applying vitamin E oil can also help. “However, excessively yellow nails may be a symptom of a fungal infection, which vitamin E does not rid,” she adds. “If your nails are in this condition, first see a doctor before deciding on how to treat them.”
• It hydrates your nails. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Vitamin E oil is super hydrating. “Just like your skin, your nails need moisture to stay good looking and strong,” Green says. “Vitamin E is a soluble nutrient, which increases moisture to the nail bed and the skin around the nails to rejuvenate and restore dry cuticles.”
• It boosts nutrients to the nails. Since vitamin E oil is a form of vitamin, it naturally nourishes the nails. But how? “Nails are created by keratin dead cells,” Green explains, noting that these cells are supported by the accumulation of blood flow filled with vitamins. “To produce healthy strong nails, your keratin dead cells need to receive a regular amount of blood supply that contain vital nutrients. Vitamin E helps to provide your blood with the right amount of nutrients, able to deliver steady growth of all nail’s components.”
• It protects your nails. Remember: Since vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, it protects against free radical damage on your nails: “Using vitamin E oil on your nails can help to provide a protective barrier for the nails,” Garshick explains.

Potential Side Effects of Vitamin E Oil For Nails

As previously mentioned, vitamin E oil is intensely moisturizing, making it far more beneficial than it is detrimental.

The main concern surrounding vitamin E is its interaction with blood thinners, statins, and certain chemotherapy drugs, as it can lead to an increased risk of bleeding when taken orally. If you’re undergoing any of these treatments, it’s best to consult your doctor before adding vitamin E oil to your nail routine.

The Best Nail Products Made With Vitamin E

Say hello to yet another must-try cuticle oil. It's made with a floral infusion of cucumber extract, chamomile extract, evening primrose oil, and—you guessed it—vitamin E oil. The result? A deeply-moisturizing protective oil that can be used to usher in your healthiest nails yet.

Hoping to spread the vitamin E Oil love to your entire hand? Green swears by this affordable best-seller for its ultra-hydrating effect.

Goat milk is meant to be hydrating in and of itself. However, pair it with vitamin E oil, and it's only that much more nourishing. And since it has a pillow-tip applicator, it's not messy to apply either.

Green recommends this best-selling cuticle oil thanks to its moisturizing, protecting benefits. It's made with jojoba, coconut, and vitamin E oils, making it a triple threat against dry cuticles and nails.

Garshick applauds this cuticle oil for its well-rounded make-up. "It uses vitamin E, aloe, and apricot kernel to help with dry nails and cuticles."

Consider this the equivalent of a green juice for your nails. The superfood-packed nail oil is formulated with vitamin E oil, as well as argan oil and rosehip oil. The result? Deeply repaired and ultra-hydrated nails and cuticles.

The Takeaway

Anyone who is looking to hydrate and strengthen their nails and cuticles should consider adding vitamin E oil to their routine.

“With people washing their hands more, they are noticing the nails and skin around the nails are becoming weaker and drier, so it is even more important now to focus on nail health,” Garshick says.

To get the most out of applying vitamin E oil, Green says to allow it to absorb into your nails and hands for a few minutes, or slip on a pair of cotton gloves to lock it in while you go about your day. “A good time for nail treatments is before going to bed, as treatments will have time to absorb undisturbed overnight,” she adds.