Quick answer
NIH sets the upper limit for vitamin E from supplements at 200 mg a day for ages 1 to 3, 300 mg at 4 to 8, 600 mg at 9 to 13 and 800 mg at 14 to 18, because of the risk of bleeding. It sets none for infants. Children need 6 to 15 mg daily.1,2
Key facts
- The limits by age are 200 mg at ages 1 to 3, 300 mg at 4 to 8, 600 mg at 9 to 13 and 800 mg at 14 to 18.1,2
- NIH says vitamin E upper limits for infants have not been established.1
- The limits are based on the risk of bleeding and apply to all forms of supplemental alpha-tocopherol.1
- Vitamin E that is naturally in food has not been found to cause harm and does not need to be limited.1,2
- Most once-daily multivitamins hold about 13.5 mg of vitamin E, well under any of the children's limits.1,2
What are the vitamin E upper limits for children and teens?
NIH reports upper limits from age 1, based on the potential for bleeding. They apply to supplemental alpha-tocopherol, including the synthetic form, and not to the vitamin E in food.1
| Age | Amount NIH gives a day | Upper limit from supplements a day |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 years | 6 mg | 200 mg |
| 4 to 8 years | 7 mg | 300 mg |
| 9 to 13 years | 11 mg | 600 mg |
| 14 to 18 years | 15 mg | 800 mg |
Children need 6 mg of vitamin E a day at ages 1 to 3, 7 mg at 4 to 8 and 11 mg at 9 to 13.1
The upper limit for vitamin E from supplements is 1,000 mg a day for adults, the same as 1,500 IU of the natural form or 1,100 IU of the synthetic form, and it is set because of the risk of bleeding. It is lower for children and teens: 200 mg at ages 1 to 3, 300 mg at 4 to 8, 600 mg at 9 to 13 and 800 mg at 14 to 18. Vitamin E in food does not need to be limited.1,2
What is the limit based on?
Bleeding. NIH says high doses of vitamin E supplements might increase the risk of bleeding, by reducing the blood's ability to clot, and of serious bleeding in the brain. The sources checked describe those findings in adults, from trials such as one in male smokers and one in male physicians, and none reports bleeding from vitamin E in children.1,2
NIH defines an upper limit as the maximum daily intake unlikely to cause adverse health effects. It is a ceiling, not an amount to give.1
Is vitamin E good for kids' or teens' skin?
The sources checked do not report on vitamin E for children's skin. They document that vitamin E applied to the skin can cause allergic contact dermatitis, with 0.9% of 38,699 people patch tested in North America reacting to it, most often from moisturizers and other personal care products.3
Vitamin E applied to the skin can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Of 38,699 people patch tested in North America from 2001 to 2016, 0.9% reacted to it, most often from moisturizers and other personal care products.3
Who should ask a doctor about vitamin E for a child or teen
- Parents of a child who takes a vitamin E supplement as well as a multivitamin, who should ask the pediatrician to add up the amounts.1
- Parents of a child with a bleeding disorder or who takes a blood thinner or antiplatelet medicine.1
- Parents of a child with cystic fibrosis, Crohn's disease or another condition that affects fat absorption, since NIH says these conditions can lead to low vitamin E, and that people with them sometimes need special water-soluble forms.1
Questions people ask
Is vitamin E safe for kids?
NIH sets upper limits from supplements of 200 mg a day at ages 1 to 3 and 300 mg at 4 to 8, based on the risk of bleeding. Ask your pediatrician about any supplement.1
Is vitamin E good for teens?
NIH gives 15 mg a day for teens 14 to 18 and an upper limit of 800 mg from supplements. Ask your doctor before a teen starts a vitamin E supplement.1,2
Is vitamin E safe for kids' skin?
The sources checked do not address vitamin E in children's skin products. They document allergic contact dermatitis in 0.9% of people patch tested, most often from moisturizers. Ask your pediatrician or pharmacist.3
Is vitamin E good for teen skin?
The sources checked do not report on teen skin. They document allergic contact dermatitis from vitamin E in skin products in 0.9% of people patch tested. Ask a doctor or dermatologist.3
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Sources
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin E: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Updated March 26, 2021. Opened 2026-10-07.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin E: Fact Sheet for Consumers. Updated March 22, 2021. Opened 2026-10-07.
- Warshaw EM, Ruggiero JL, DeKoven JG, et al. Patch Testing With Tocopherol and Tocopherol Acetate: The North American Contact Dermatitis Group Experience, 2001 to 2016. Dermatitis. 2021;32(5):308-318. Opened 2026-10-07.
This page is information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own situation.