What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
PEG-40 Sorbitan Peroleate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Tropaeolum Majus Extract
AntimicrobialYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Mannitol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingAmmonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexyl Stearate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, PEG-40 Sorbitan Peroleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Azelaic Acid, Ceramide Ng, Tropaeolum Majus Extract, Yeast Extract, Zinc Gluconate, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Beta-Sitosterol, Biotin, Caffeine, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Inulin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Mannitol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Phytosphingosine, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Water, Cetrimonium Chloride, Phosphatidylcholine, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Salicylate, Sorbitan Oleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
