Tocopherol — Allergy Risk & Safety Profile
INCI: TOCOPHEROL
Also known as: Vitamin E, d-Alpha-Tocopherol
Key Facts
- CAS Number
- 59-02-9
- Category
- antioxidant
- Risk Level
- low
- Common Allergen
- No
- Found In
- moisturizer, serum, lip balm, all
Is Tocopherol safe in cosmetics?
Tocopherol is rated low risk in cosmetic products. It is not classified as a common allergen and is generally well-tolerated by most skin types. Commonly found in moisturizer, serum, lip balm.
What is Tocopherol?
Vitamin E. Antioxidant that protects products from oxidation and provides skin benefits.
Allergy & Safety Information
Tocopherol is considered safe for cosmetic use. No significant safety concerns have been identified at typical use concentrations. As with any cosmetic ingredient, discontinue use if irritation occurs.
This ingredient is considered low risk from an allergenicity perspective. Reactions are uncommon at typical cosmetic use concentrations. However, no ingredient is universally safe — if you notice redness, itching, or irritation after using a product containing this ingredient, discontinue use and monitor whether symptoms resolve.
About Antioxidant Ingredients
Antioxidants neutralise free radicals generated by UV radiation, pollution, and metabolic processes, preventing oxidative damage to skin cells and the product formula itself. Common cosmetic antioxidants include tocopherol (vitamin E), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), BHT, and plant-derived polyphenols.
Relevance for Tocopherol: Most antioxidants are well-tolerated, but some — particularly propyl gallate, BHA (butylhydroxyanisole), and certain plant-derived polyphenols — are recognised contact allergens. Vitamin E (tocopherol) allergy, while uncommon, is occasionally identified in patch testing.
How to Identify Tocopherol in Products
Cosmetic ingredients are listed by their INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) name in descending order of concentration. To check whether a product contains Tocopherol, scan the ingredient list for its INCI name exactly as it appears above. Ingredients present at 1% or less may appear in any order after the 1% threshold.
Product types to prioritise checking: Moisturizer, Serum, Lip balm, All. These product categories are the most common sources of Tocopherol exposure based on formulation data.
Not sure if your products contain Tocopherol? Paste the ingredient list into the free ingredient checker to scan for Tocopherol and other allergens automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tocopherol safe for sensitive skin?
Tocopherol is generally well-tolerated, even by sensitive skin types.
What products contain Tocopherol?
Tocopherol is commonly found in moisturizer, serum, lip balm, all.
What does Tocopherol do in cosmetics?
Tocopherol functions as a antioxidant in formulations.
Related Guides
Is Tocopherol causing YOUR skin reactions?
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