Tocopherol

Rating:very good

INCI name

  • TOCOPHEROL,

Alternative names

  • Alpha-Tocopherol,
  • a-Tocopherol,
  • D-Alpha-Tocopherol,
  • Vitamin E,
  • D-MIXED-TOCOPHEROLS,
  • Tokopherol,
  • O-Tocoferol,
  • E 307,
  • Soy Tocopherols,
  • Pflanzliches Vitamin E,
  • Tocopherol (Vitamin E),
  • Natürliches Vitamin E,
  • Mixed Tocopherols,
  • Dl-Alpha Tocopherol,
  • Alpha Tocopherol,

Origin

  • synthetic,

Definition

  • 3,4-dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H-benzopyran-6-ol,

INCI function

  • skin caring,
  • Antioxidant,

Substance category

  • Nutrients,

Characteristics

  • inhibits reactions promoted by oxygen
  • prevents oxidation and rancidity
  • keeps the skin in good condition
  • Improves skin moisture
  • Prevents infection
  • Promotes wound healing
  • Removes small wrinkles
  • Good natural light protection (up to SPF 10)
  • Smoothes the skin
  • Nutrient

CAS-No.

  • 10191-41-0,

EINECS/EILINCS-No.

  • 233-466-0,

Studies, literature and statements

Springer Lexikon Kosmetik, page 444

Works as an antioxidant and captures radicals. Production: chemically=DL-alpha-tocopherol or natural derivation = d-alpha-tocopherol. Antioxidants above all for carotenide, unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin A. Cosmetics which contain vitamin E improve skin moisture. Recommended.

Körperpflegekunde und Kosmetik, page 63

It can be absorbed in larger quantities into horny skin and works in these areas with no side effects. This cannot be achieved when taken orally. These high vitamin E contents in the skin work especially well when absorbed in the skin in several ways. It improves the hyrdration of the horny skin, removes small wrinkles, smoothes the skin, the skin will become more resistant against outside noxious agents, light protection can, depending upon the concentration, reach up to SPF 10, the skin can better tolerate UV rays, guards against "photo-aging," it improves wound healing after operations and reduces scar formation, it works in deeper skin layers to prevent infection, creation of wrinkles and age spots. Vitamin E is very well tolerated. Even in high doses it is not irritating, aggravating or allergenic. In cosmetic products, it works additionally as an antioxidant and protects the preparation from oxidative spoilage.

Wikipedia

Vitamin E is a general nomenclature for a group of (up to today) eight fat-soluble substances with antioxidative and non-antioxidative effects. Vitamin E is a component of all membranes in animal cells, but is constructed only from photosynthetically active organisms such as plants and cyanobacteria. Four of the eight known vitamin E forms are called tocopherols. The most meaningful for humans which comes from nature in connection with vitamin E activity is alpha tocopherol Vitamin E is manufactured as a synthetic and also as a racemic mixture. Synthetic tocopherol is however relatively instable and is therefore still mixed with an acetyl group. see also di-alpha-tocopherylacetate. The biological effect of dl-a-Tocopherylacetate is not identical to natural vitamin E, because the human body can better decompose dl-a-Tocopherylacetate. The reason for this is: In the liver, one finds dl-a-Tocopherol transfer protein (a-TTP) which is responsible in for the transport of vitamin E via VLDL into the blood circulation, and has the highest affinity to natural a-Tocopherol

Prof. Jung CABE2012

Vit. E (α-tocopherol), contained in wheat germ oil, acts as a strong antioxidant, especially with regard to the oxygen-sensitive cellular components such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. By releasing a proton, it interrupts lipid peroxidation, thereby becoming a radical itself (but inert and thus no longer capable of further lipid peroxidation), is reduced by vitamin C, which is regenerated by the glutathione system with the help of NADH/NADPH. Vitamin E inhibits the formation of collagenases, protects against ROS-related inhibition of collagen and glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis. Its effects on the skin consist specifically in its anti-inflammatory capacity, improved enzyme activity, a reduction in exposure to UV radiation (protection against sunburn, increase in the sun protection factor), promotion of cell regeneration (e.g. superficial wounds), strengthening the moisture retention capacity of the stratum corneum, overall improvement of the skin surface relief and a reduction in premature skin ageing.

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hautgesundheit (DGfH)

Almost all skin and aging problems are due to nutritional deficiencies of the skin. That is why nutrient suppliers such as vitamins, trace elements, amino acids, secondary plant substances and high-quality essential fatty acids in cosmetic products are of great importance for healthy skin