Tocopheryl acetate: properties, uses, pros, cons, safety
Tocopheryl acetate or Vitamin E Acetate or Tocopheryl acetate is the same product of Tocopherol acetate, but synthetic, industrially produced by a chemical process.
Tocopherol acetate ([(2R)-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-[(4R,8R)-4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl]-3,4-dihydrochromen-6-yl] acetate) is a natural product, a modified, hydrolysed form of vitamin E, which is difficult to oxidise and has the same colour.
It comes in the form of a yellowish oil or as a white powder.
What it is used for and where
Medical
It is a powerful antioxidant, basically a vitamin E. (see Vitamin E), has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce local bacterial growth, thereby promoting wound healing. Liposoluble, it helps protect membrane lipids from peroxidation when taken orally.
Cosmetics
Antioxidant agent. Ingredient that counteracts oxidative stress and prevents cell damage. Free radicals, pathological inflammatory processes, reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species are responsible for the ageing process and many diseases caused by oxidation.
Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.
It is used in cosmetic products for the skin, in toothpastes and has also been shown to reduce sunburn after exposure to UV rays. It also acts as a humectant when vitamin E is applied to the skin and neutralises free radicals(1).
Tocopherol acetate in topical gel form together with isotretinoin improved skin sensitivity and can be used as a non-irritating topical formulation for the treatment of acne (2).
In a preparation including some polysorbates, Tween 20, 40, 60, and 80, Tocopherol acetate has demonstrated in vitro antioxidant activity and efficacy in skin regeneration (3).
Safety
It has no safety contraindications. The EFSA Panel on Cosmetic Products concluded:
"On the basis of current knowledge, the SCCNFP is of the opinion that alpha-tocopherol acetate does not pose a threat to the health of the consumer and therefore does not propose any restrictions or conditions on the use of alpha-tocopherol acetate in cosmetic products" (4).
Respiratory Health Risks: The most notable concern with vitamin E acetate emerged from its association with EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping product use-Associated Lung Injury). The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) identified vitamin E acetate as a chemical of concern among people with EVALI, suggesting that when inhaled, it may interfere with normal lung functioning (5).
For more information:
Typical optimal commercial product characteristics Tocopherol acetate oil
| Appearance | Yellowish oil |
| Tocopherols | 96.0-102.0 |
| Refractive index | 1.494-1.499 |
| Absorbance E1%1cm | 41-45 |
| Specific rotation | +24° |
| Residue on ignition | ≤0.1 |
| Acidity | ≤0.5 |
| Pb | ≤10 |
| Density | 0.953 g/mL at 25 °C |
| Shelf life | ≥36 months |
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- Molecular Formula C31H52O3
- Molecular Formula 472.754 g/mol
- UNII A7E6112E4N
- CAS 58-95-7 12741-00-3 133-80-2 1407-18-7 54-22-8 1406-70-8 26243-95-8 7695-91-2 52225-20-4
- EC Number: 231-710-0 257-757-7 200-405-4
- DSSTox Substance ID DTXSID3021356 DTXSID1031096
- IUPAC [(2R)-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-[(4R,8R)-4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl]-3,4-dihydrochromen-6-yl] acetate
- InChI=1S/C31H52O3/c1-21(2)13-10-14-22(3)15-11-16-23(4)17-12-19-31(9)20-18-28-26(7)29(33-27(8)32)24(5)25(6)30(28)34-31/h21-23H,10-20H2,1-9H3/t22-,23-,31-/m1/s1
- InChl Key ZAKOWWREFLAJOT-CEFNRUSXSA-N
- SMILES CC1=C(C(=C(C2=C1OC(CC2)(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)C)C)OC(=O)C)C
- PubChem Substance ID 24900095 24899940
- MDL number MFCD00072052
- Beilstein Registry Number 97512
- eCl@ss 34058007
- ChEBI 32321
- NACRES NA.79 NA.75
- RTECS GP8280000
Synonyms:
- Vitamin E acetate
- α-tocopherol acetate
- alpha-Tocopherol acetate
- Tocopheryl acetate
- Alfacol
- Natur-E granulate
- DL-alpha tocopheryl acetate
- (+-)-alpha-Tocopherol acetate
- Ecofrol
- 58-95-7
- Contopheron
- Tofaxin
- Econ
- Covitol 1360
- Vitamin Ealpha acetate
- alpha-Tocopheryl acetate
- DL-alpha-Tocopheryl acetate
- Vitamin E acetate, d-
- DL-alpha-Tocopherol acetate
- Ephynal acetate
- Tokoferol acetate
- D-alpha-tocopherol acetate
- Tocopherex
- Evipherol
- Fertilvit
- Tocophrin
- Erevit
- Gevex
- Juvela
- Combinal E
- Tocopheryl acetate
- D-ALPHA-TOCOPHERYL ACETATE
- Epsilan-M
- E-Toplex
- E-Ferol
- Endo E Dompe
- Spondyvit
- (+)-alpha-Tocopherol acetate
- Copherol 1250
- Covitol 1100
