Vitamin E for Scars — Does It Actually Work?

Scars are a normal part of life. Whether it’s from scraping your leg or having surgery, getting scars is common. And, if you’re like most people, you’re interested in ways to minimize the appearance of scars.

Vitamin E creams and serums have been promoted as one solution to help scars fade fast. Vitamin E is an important antioxidant with many health benefits, like supporting a healthy immune system. You get it from many different foods, such as nuts and leafy greens. 

Vitamin E has also been used for decades in different skincare products. But does it actually help fade scars?

Here, we’ll take a look at what the science says about vitamin E and scars. We’ll also talk about what actually works to help fade scars fast.

Is vitamin E good for scars?

The short answer is: probably not. Some people may benefit from applying vitamin E oil or cream to their scars. The science is mixed, though, and some studies show that it doesn’t work at all. Larger studies are needed to prove whether vitamin E can help fade scars.

Let’s take a look at what the research says so far. 

Is vitamin E effective for certain types of scars?

There are a few different types of scars. Two common ones are hypertrophic scars and keloids. The main difference between these two scar types is their size. Hypertrophic scars stay in the area of injury. But keloids can grow much bigger. 

Two small studies showed that vitamin E may be helpful in preventing or fading these two types of scars:

• For surgery scars: One small study showed that using vitamin E before and after surgery helped improve scar appearance and prevent keloids from forming. However, the study was in white children who are less likely to develop keloids.

• When used with silicone gel: Another smaller study showed that vitamin E combined with silicone gel was better at improving hypertrophic and keloid scar appearance (like color and size) compared to silicone gel alone.

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However, there’s research showing that vitamin E doesn’t work well for scars. For example, two other small studies showed that vitamin E didn’t improve the appearance of surgical scars at all. Not only that, but another study showed that about 1 in 3 people who used vitamin E for scars developed an allergic skin reaction called contact dermatitis. And some people’s scars actually got worse after using vitamin E.

Does vitamin E have other skin benefits?

Vitamin E may not help with scars. But it can have other benefits for the skin — especially when combined with certain ingredients. Here are some examples: 

• Vitamins E and C are both antioxidants that work better together. They help to protect skin against damage from UV rays and prevent photoaging. 

• Vitamin E combined with vitamin C, vitamin K1, and retinol may help improve under-eye wrinkles and dark circles.

What’s the best way to reduce the appearance of scars?

Whenever you cut your skin, a scar will develop after it heals. These scars tend to fade and become less noticeable over time. There are things you can do, though, to minimize scars. This involves taking care of your wounds and getting scar treatment later on. 

Wound care

How you care for a skin wound has a big impact on the appearance of the scar from the start. Here are some steps you can follow to help your wound heal and minimize the appearance of scars:

• Keep the skin wound clean with mild soap and water.

• Apply Vaseline (petroleum jelly) to keep it from drying out and forming a scab.

• Cover the area with a bandage, hydrogel, or silicone gel sheets.

• Change the bandage daily as it heals.

• Once the wound has healed, regularly use sunscreen on the scar with an SPF of at least 30.

Scar treatment

Once a scar has formed, there are some other effective ways to help reduce its appearance. The best treatment depends on the type of scar you have, so talk to your primary care provider or dermatologist for guidance. 

Here are some possibilities to consider: 

• Use pressure therapy (like an elastic bandage or stocking).

• Use topical retinoids.

• Get corticosteroid injections at your doctor’s office.

• Have surgical treatment to minimize the scar (like laser treatment or cryosurgery).

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Written by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

Reviewed by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

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