True Story: I Got the Best Skincare Advice From my Grandpa

True story: I discovered the best Vitamin E cream from my grandpa! Perfect for anti-ageing and clearing up complexion issues, this one is worth investigating.

Young woman with healthy skin, glowing in the sunlight.

It’s not every day that you go to your grandpa for skincare advice.

In fact, it’s not something I was actively trying to do. But when my grandpa shared a great hot tip with me recently, I just knew I had to share.

First, I must preface this story by sharing that he is not technically my grandpa. This advice came from my boyfriend’s grandpa, but after weekly dinners, hangouts and holidays spent together over the past few years, he is kinda my grandpa too, right?

Regardless of what your stance is on that topic, you’re going to want to hear his number one tip for keeping your skin young.

Without a fancy skincare routine, nary a facial in sight, and no concept of fillers, he attributes his youthful-looking skin solely to Vitamin E Gel.

While it’s no secret that this vitamin is an essential part of any good anti-aging regime, what’s surprising about this particular product is its unique combination of Vitamin E-filled ingredients when compared to alternative moisturisers and serums on the market. Ringing in at about $142 for a 30 mL pot, it’s not cheap but a little goes a long way. It’s safe to say that Gramps has found a reliable hero product, and in my books, that’s worth the investment.

How Does Vitamin E Benefit Skin

Applying Vitamin E to the skin topically has been shown to have several benefits. Thanks to its antioxidant properties, it is useful in treating a wide range of skin disorders and can reduce the visible effects of ageing on skin.

Likewise, studies have shown that the topical use of this ingredient can significantly reduce the appearance of dark under-eye circles. While many dermatologists claim that Vitamin E can help reduce scarring, clinical studies have found little to no effect. However, when considering the other ways that the vitamin supports healthy skin, it’s easy to imagine that the other benefits of it might contribute to an overall better appearance — thus making scars seem less visible.

Other Ingredients in the Jo Malone Formulation

While it’s obvious that Vitamin E takes the stage in Jo Malone’s Vitamin E Gel, one might ask where exactly does this beneficial vitamin come from? And what else is in the gel that can help benefit overall complexion?

Lanolin:

Ready to get a little funky? Get this: Lanolin is a waxy substance that comes from sheep’s skin.

Much like human sebum (the oil on your nose) its purpose is to protect and nourish the sheep’s wool. Luckily for us, it’s easy to extract lanolin from wool after a sheep is shorn — meaning no sheep are harmed for our beauty products. The wool is spun quickly, and the lanolin is expelled and filtered for use in beauty products like this one.

When applied topically, Lanolin is extremely hydrating for skin and can help your skin hold on to moisture. A 2017 study further suggests that using lanolin on skin can reduce the amount of moisture lost by up to 20-30%.

Apricot Kernel Oil:

Apricot kernel oil is a long-time favourite of mine in no small part due to its lovely scent alone.

In addition to smelling amazing, apricot kernel oil is also extremely nourishing for skin. Just like olive oil, rosehip oil, and coconut oil, apricot kernel oil is a plant oil. While the benefits of plant oils applied topically vary depending on what type of oil you use, these types of oils have been proven to reduce inflammation, promote hydration and more.

In particular, apricot kernel oil has been shown to support skin hydration and may be useful in treating psoriasis, the itchy scaly dry skin that can pop up on your knees, elbows, and scalp.

Wheat Germ Oil:

Just like apricot kernel oil, wheat germ oil has emollient properties. This means that much like apricot kernel oil, wheat germ oil helps lock moisture in to keep your skin soft and hydrated.

Derived from the germ of the wheat, this is another natural plant oil that does wonders for supporting healthy skin. Thanks to vitamins A, B, E, and D, and fatty acids it contains, this oil can help prevent scarring and contribute to collagen production.

Where to Buy It

After doing a bit of investigation into this all-powerful anti-aging cream, I couldn’t help but wonder why it wasn’t more popular. I think, in short, it comes down to convenience.

While this Vitamin E Cream is easily purchased from the Jo Malone site, you’re less likely to find it at a department store. Despite being listed on David Jones, it’s unavailable for purchase online. To make matters trickier, Mecca doesn’t sell it online either, so your best bet is to buy directly from the brand.

I suspect that this Vitamin E gel simple isn’t as popular in Australia as it might be in other countries. There’s no denying that Jo Malone is known primarily for its luxurious scents, and perhaps the Australian market just hasn’t quite caught on to the power of this brand’s high-quality skincare yet.

No matter the reason, it does add a bit to this skin gel’s magical mystique. Based on reviews, it’s safe to say that this hidden gem is worth trying. Especially if you’ve battled complexion issues or are seeking out the perfect anti-aging treatment, this might just be your new holy-grail product. While not cheap, this gel is comparable in price to other high-quality vitamin serums. A little goes a long way, and you can also mix this gel with moisturiser to extend its use even further.

Needless to say: I’m sold.

If you could see Gramps’ skin, believe me, you’d want to try the gel for yourself too. To snag this Vitamin E Gel, scroll down to shop the product and browse more of Jo Malone’s Vitamin E range.