Vitamin E refers to a group of similar fat-soluble compounds that play a role in a few key areas of our health. (1) There is some evidence that supports Vitamin E’s role as a potential antioxidant, as it can combat free radicals — small molecules that inflict damage upon healthy cells as people age. (2)(3) Additionally, Vitamin E may play a role in the health of skin and vision. (4)(5)
The Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) recommends adult men and women get 15 milligrams, or 22.4 international units (IU) on a daily basis. Vitamin E is widely available in a variety of common foods — including olive oil, sunflower seeds, almonds, and peanuts. Most people who follow a fairly balanced diet will get enough Vitamin E. While some may benefit from additional Vitamin E, it’s important to consult with a medical professional before significantly changing your daily regimen. The FNB has established a daily upper limit of 1,500 IU for Vitamin E in supplement form.
Best Vitamin E Supplements
- Best Overall Vitamin E: Sundown Vitamin E
- Best Vitamin E Powder: BulkSupplements Vitamin E Powder
- Best Vitamin E Oil: Nature’s Bounty Vitamin E Oil
- Best Vitamin E Softgel: BulkSupplements Vitamin E Softgels
- Best High Dosage Vitamin E: Puritan’s Pride Vitamin E Softgels
Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.
Best Overall Vitamin E
Each Sundown Vitamin E capsule contains 400 IU of Vitamin E, a permissible dosage in comparison to the upper limits established by the FNB. These capsules are made without gluten, wheat, or dairy are 100 percent non-GMO. Additionally, these are free of preservatives, artificial flavoring, and colorings. Put all that together with the competitive price tag and they rank at the top of our list.
These 100 percent non-GMO capsules contain 400 IU of Vitamin E per serving. Each capsule is made without gluten, wheat, dairy, preservatives, or artificial flavorings.
Who Should Buy Sundown Vitamin E
- Those who want a dose of Vitamin E that falls within the FNB’s recommended daily upper limit.
- Folks who need their supplements to be gluten and dairy-free.
- Anyone who appreciates their supplements being devoid of artificial coloring.
- People working with a tighter budget.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Sundown Vitamin E
- Those who follow a vegan diet. These capsules are made with gelatin.
[Related: Could Baking Soda Be The Best Workout Supplement You’ve Never Tried?]
Best Vitamin E Powder
Supplements in a powder form can allow for hyper-accurate measuring for better assurance that the user is getting exactly the amount of Vitamin E they’re looking to consume. Each 1000-milligram serving of BulkSupplements product contains 515 milligrams of Vitamin E. The only other ingredient listed aside from Vitamin E is modified starch, meaning it is free of added sugar, soy, yeast, gluten, or any other additives.
This Vitamin E powder is made of simply just Vitamin E and modified starch. Each 1000-milligram serving provides 515 milligrams of Vitamin E and is free of soy, dairy, yeast, and gluten.
Who Should Buy BulkSupplements Vitamin E Powder
- Those who want to be extremely accurate with their Vitamin E doses.
- Folks seeking a very strong dose of Vitamin E.
- People who appreciate a nearly pure Vitamin E powder supplement; the only additional ingredient is modified starch.
- Anyone who would rather mix their supplements into a drink or smoothie.
Who Shouldn’t Buy BulkSupplements Vitamin E Powder
- Anyone who would prefers the convenience of supplements in pill or capsule form.
- Folks who want a dose closer to the FNB daily recommended upper limit.
[Related: The Best Types Of Supplements For Performance, Weight Loss, And Health]
Best Vitamin E Oil
This oil can be used both as a topical solution to potentially serve as a skin moisturizer in addition to taken orally. Each five-drop serving of this oil contains 100 IU of Vitamin E. Priced at just a few pennies per serving, this is a very competitively priced supplement and is compatible with vegetarian diets. Each batch of Nature’s Bounty Vitamin E oil is made without any artificial sweeteners, colors, or flavors.
Serving both as a topical oil and an oral tincture, Nature’s Bounty Vitamin E Oil provides 100 IU of Vitamin E in each five-drop serving. This product is made without any artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners.
Who Should Buy Nature’s Bounty Vitamin E Oil
- Anyone who follows a vegetarian diet.
- People looking to spend less on supplements.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Nature’s Bounty Vitamin E Oil
- Those who follow a gluten-free diet. There is wheat germ oil in this supplement so it is not gluten-free.
- Anyone who is looking for a stronger dose of Vitamin E.
[Related: Intermittent Fasting 101: A Guide To Benefits, Muscle Gain, And More]
Best Vitamin E Softgel
Each single-softgel serving from this BulkSupplements product provides 400 IU of Vitamin E. The capsule is made from soy oil, bovine gelatin, glycerin, and purified water. It is entirely free of dairy, gluten, yeast, and added sugar. Each pouch provides 100 servings and is produced within certified Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) standards.
Each single-softgel serving provides 400 IU of Vitamin E and each pouch contains 300 servings. The softgels are made without the use of added sugar, dairy, yeast, or gluten.
Who Should Buy BulkSupplements Vitamin E Softgels
- Those who prefer a lower dose Vitamin E supplement in softgel form.
- People who appreciate their supplements being third-party tested and manufactured to cGMP standards.
- Anyone working with a tighter budget.
Who Shouldn’t Buy BulkSupplements Vitamin E Softgels
- People who follow a vegan diet. The softgels are made with bovine gelatin.
- Those who would prefer a powder supplement for mixing in drinks.
[Related: Best Macros Calculator For Tracking Muscle Gain And Fat Loss]
Best High Dosage Vitamin E
Each single-softgel serving of Puritan’s Pride Vitamin E contains 1,000 IU, which is two-thirds of the FNB’s daily recommended upper limit for Vitamin E via supplements. Designed to be easier to swallow, these softgels are made without artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or gluten.
Each one of these softgels packs 1,000 IU of Vitamin E. They are made without any added artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or gluten and are designed to be easier to swallow.
Who Should Buy Puritan’s Pride Vitamin E Softgels
- Those who want a very high dose of Vitamin E per serving.
- Anyone who wants an easier-to-swallow softgel.
- People who follow a gluten-free diet.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Puritan’s Pride Vitamin E Softgels
- Folks who don’t need as strong a dose of Vitamin E.
- Anyone who is trying to maintain a diet that is vegan-friendly.
[Related: Nutrition For Bulking: 10 Tips For Intelligent Muscle Gain]
How We Decided Our Picks
Vitamin E is an important fat-soluble compound with antioxidative properties that may play a role in promoting healthy skin and better vision. Though many folks who keep a well-balanced diet will consume enough Vitamin E on a daily basis, some may benefit from taking additional amounts. There are a host of Vitamin E supplements on the market, so here are what we thought were the distinguishing features to be aware of.
Type of Supplement
Vitamin E comes in a few different forms — typically capsules, oils, or powders. Depending on how you intend to use it, each has different strengths and weaknesses. While swallowing a capsule may be the quickest option for some, adding some powder to a smoothie may be more palatable for others. If you’re only looking for the topical benefits of Vitamin E, a tincture may be all you need.
Dosage
The Food and Nutrition Board has established a daily upper limit of 1,500 IU of Vitamin E from supplements. If you’re looking at any Vitamin E supplements, be sure to keep this value in mind, as exceeding it may carry some health risks. If you’re unsure of the best dose for your needs, it’s best to consult your doctor.
[Related: The Lifter’s Guide To Magnesium: What This Nutrient Does For Strength]
Cost
The best way to determine cost is by dividing the price of the total product by the number of servings as that tell you the cost per serving. Of course, all things being equal, the less expensive product will beat out the more expensive option. The best way to compare supplements, particular if they vary in form — oil versus powder, for example — is to determine the cost of actual Vitamin E each are providing.
Ingredients
When shopping for any supplement, it’s important to know what you’re putting into your body. Take a look at the labeling to ensure there are no surprise ingredients that you weren’t expecting. Some companies use sweeteners or colorings in an attempt to make their vitamins more appealing, but those things may not be necessary to fulfill your needs.
The other major factor to take note of, particularly when it comes to pills or softgels, is if they are compatible with vegan or vegetarian diets. It may not always say in a clear way that a supplement is vegan-friendly, but you can usually check the ingredient list to make sure there isn’t any like gelatin that would be disqualifying.
[Related: IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros): Your Ultimate Guide To This Diet]
What To Consider Before Buying
Most folks who follow a well-balanced diet will already ingest enough Vitamin E on a daily basis. If you’re looking to add this to your daily regimen, it is often best to check in with a medical professional. Before purchasing this supplement, consider when and how you intend to use it. Oftentimes, results can be scarce if not taken on a consistent and regular basis.
References
- Office of Dietary Supplements – Vitamin E. Nih.gov. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-HealthProfessional/. Published 2017.
- Jiang Q. Natural forms of vitamin E: metabolism, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities and their role in disease prevention and therapy. Free radical biology & medicine. 2014;72:76-90.
- Szymańska R, Nowicka B, Kruk J. Vitamin E – Occurrence, Biosynthesis by Plants and Functions in Human Nutrition. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry. 2017;17(12):1039-1052.
- Butt H, Mehmood A, Ali M, et al. Protective role of vitamin E preconditioning of human dermal fibroblasts against thermal stress in vitro. Life sciences. 2017;184:1-9.
-
Vitamin E. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-e/art-20364144. Published 2017.