What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Heptapeptide-4
Humectant
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
CI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Isohexadecane, Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Dimethiconol, Caprylyl Glycol, C14-22 Alcohols, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, CI 60730
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
