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Tocopherol

What Tocopherol is & what it does

Vitamin E, a lipid-soluble antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals generated by UV exposure and protects the oils in a formula from going rancid. It also conditions skin and is often paired with vitamin C for added antioxidant support.

What is Tocopherol in skincare?

Tocopherol is vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant. In a sunscreen it helps protect the formula and skin from oxidation by free radicals, and can support the stability of oils and some UV filters.

Is Tocopherol the same as Vitamin E?

Essentially yes. Tocopherol is the natural form of vitamin E used in cosmetics. You may also see "Tocopheryl Acetate", a more stable ester of the same vitamin.

Is Tocopherol safe?

Yes. Vitamin E is well tolerated and non-comedogenic at the low antioxidant levels used in formulas. Reactions are uncommon and usually linked to very high concentrations.

Is Tocopherol natural?

It can be either. Tocopherol is vitamin E, often extracted from plant oils such as soy or sunflower, though a nature-identical synthetic version also exists. Both act as the same antioxidant in a formula.

Is Tocopherol safe to use during pregnancy?

Topical vitamin E (tocopherol) has no known pregnancy concern at the small antioxidant levels used in skincare. It is well tolerated and works mainly to protect the formula and skin from oxidation.

Sunscreens with Tocopherol

We rate 3627 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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