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White wavy lines texture on a surfaceProfile: Vitamin E and its derivatives.

Profile: Vitamin E and its derivatives.

Commonly known as: Vitamin E, α-tocopherol, tocotrienol.
I.N.C.I. list name: Tocopherol / Tocopheryl Acetate.
Extraction process: Extraction from vegetable oils (sunflower and soybean oil).
Source: Plant-based.
Botanical name: Helianthus annuus (sunflower) and Glycine max [L.] Merr. (soybean).
Family: Asteraceae (sunflower) and Fabaceae (soybean).
Part of the plant extracted: Vegetable oil from sunflower (seeds) and vegetable oil from soybean (germs).
Provenance, origin: Europe.
Chemical characteristics: Liposoluble vitamin; Soluble in oil; Insoluble in water.
Characteristics: Colloidal solution, emulsion, balm, oil, hydroalcoholic solution, aerosol.
Dosage required in cosmetic products: Unregulated; Often used at concentrations less than 0.5%.
Function: Antioxidant, masking agent, skin conditioning agent.
Properties: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, healing, depigmenting, brightening, moisturising, photoprotective, vasoconstrictive.
Benefits: All skin types, particularly dry skin, hyperpigmented skin, dull skin, mature skin and skin prone to discomfort; All hair types.

Details

Properties

  • Anti-inflammatory: To prevent and temporarily alleviate certain discomfort sensations (redness, itching, etc.) by reducing the inflammatory response through the inhibition of certain processes involved in the production of pro-inflammatory biomarkers;

  • Antioxidant: Protects various skin cells from damage caused by oxidative stress by acting as a free radical scavenger and preventing lipid peroxidation ;

  • Healing: Promotes the wound healing process by stimulating blood microcirculation through the dilation of blood vessels;

  • Depigmenting: Diminishing the appearance of brown spots due to its ability to inhibit the activity of tyrosinase, a key enzyme that catalyses the synthesis of melanin;

  • Moisturising: Preventing skin dryness and improving skin hydration by preventing water loss through the creation of a film on the surface of the epidermis;

  • Photoprotective: Protecting the skin from various harmful effects caused by solar radiation by absorbing a portion of UVB rays.

Applications

  • Facial Care (shaving oils, scrubs, masks, purifying face serums, moisturising creams, makeup removers, eye contour treatments, beard cleansers, lip balms);

  • Body Care (balms/creams/moisturising lotions, body scrubs, massage oils, after-sun treatments);

  • Haircare (shampoos, conditioners);

  • Hygiene (deodorants, shower gels);

  • Makeups (eyeshadows, lip oils, bronzing concentrates, nail polishes).

Method of Preservation

Store in a dry place at room temperature, protected from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight.

Contraindications, Usage Precautions

Tolerated by all skin types, vitamin E is safe when it is incorporated into cosmetic products at concentrations of 0.5% or less. However, excessive dosages of tocopherol (>0.5%) can potentially lead to skin irritation or sensitisation reactions. Furthermore, individuals with a history of allergic reactions should avoid vitamin E. However, before using a product containing vitamin, first perform a skin test on a small area of the body.

Find out more

Vitamin E is an organic substance that the body fundamentally requires for its growth and functioning. It was first identified in 1922 by Herbert EVANS and Katharine BISHOP, who observed that female rats on a lipid-deprived diet could become pregnant, but no foetus would develop. However, pregnancies were carried to term when the diet was supplemented with lettuce leaves or wheat germ. Later, in 1924, Bennett SURE demonstrated that a compound removed from a diet induced sterility in male rats: Vitamin E. It also received the name tocopherol, from the Greek "tokos" meaning "offspring" and "phero" meaning "to produce". Found in large quantities in vegetable oils, there are eight types of Vitamin E: α-, β-, γ- and σ-tocopherols and their corresponding tocotrienols. Among them, the most active and stable form is α-tocopherol, while the most abundant in the diet is γ-tocopherol.