What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCollagen
MoisturisingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientAcetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Collagen, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Hyaluronic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Cocoate
EmollientHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantUbiquinone
AntioxidantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrisodium EDTA
Dehydroacetic Acid
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Cocoate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Stearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Octyldodecanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ubiquinone, Biotin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Zea Mays Oil, Beta-Carotene, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium EDTA, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
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