ABOUT THE INGREDIENT
Vitamin E was first described in 1922 by Herbert M Evans and Katherine Bishop with experiments on rats. When fed a
purified diet devoid of vitamin E, the rats became infertile. When Wheat Germ Oil containing Vitamin, E was added to
their diet, their fertility was restored. In 1936, it was biochemically characterized and named tocopherol (Greek: “tocos”
meaning offspring and “phero” meaning to bring forth).
Vitamin E is synthesized by plants and can be obtained through dietary sources. Richest sources are nuts, spinach,
whole grains, olive oil, and sunflower oil.
Vitamin E (Tocopherol) is a light-yellow oil, a fat-soluble vitamin, that support the immune system, cell function and skin
health. Vitamin E is an antioxidant which makes it beneficial at reducing free radicals induced skin damage due to UV
radiation.
ACTIVE COMPONENTS
There are eight types of vitamin E (α-, β-, γ-, and σ-tocopherols and their related corresponding tocotrienols).
γ-tocopherol is the most common form found in the North American diet, whereas α-tocopherol is the most biologically
active antioxidant vitamin E derivative in human tissues and sera.
BENEFITS IN COSMETICS
Vitamin E is a Free Radical Scavenger and an Emollient Too.
The primary function of vitamin E is as an antioxidant. Vitamin E plays a consistent role in protecting the skin cells and
tissue (collagen) against oxidation caused by free radicals for the prevention of skin aging.
Topical application of the photoprotective vitamin E has been shown to reduce the acute and chronic photodamage,
skin roughness, the length of facial lines, and the depth of wrinkles.
Vitamin E has been employed in combination with vitamin C revealing significant protection against sunburn and
erythema, indicating potential protection against skin cancer and photoaging.
Topically applied vitamin E increases hydration of the stratum corneum and increases its water-binding capacity.
Therefore, vitamin E is also used to repair skin lesion, ulcer, burns, abrasion and dry skin.
SAFETY
Tocopherol is safe to use in cosmetics with the concentrates specified in this safety assessment.
