Vitamin E Acetate

Description

DL-Alpha tocopherol acetate, or Vitamin E Acetate, is the stable form of Vitamin E most often used in cosmetic formulations for its skin care benefits. Vitamin E is natural tocopherol and one of the most potent antioxidant tocopherols. It exhibits antioxidant activity by virtue of the phenolic hydrogen on the 2H-1-benzopyran-6-ol nucleus.  Vitamin E protects cell membranes from damage by its ability to scavenge free radicals.  It is claimed to prevent premature aging of the skin induced by UV irradiation and lipid peroxidation.

Mode of Action

Tocopherols and tocotrienols can rapidly scavenge lipid peroxyl free radicals by acting as chain breaking antioxidants, thus preventing them from reacting with other lipids. This process is key to limiting the propagation of lipid peroxidation in membranes. It should be noted that tocopherol has the potential to act as a pro-oxidant rather than an anti-oxidant when co-antioxidants like vitamin C are not available to neutralize the tocopherol radical and when oxidative stress is mild.

Naturally occurring Vitamin E can be unstable in skin care formulations.  Alpha Tocopherol is susceptible to UV irradiation breakdown, being rapidly converted to tocopheroxy radicals that use up other antioxidants.  Use of Vitamin E Acetate, an ester of alpha tocopherol helps overcome this limitation.

Tocopherol acetate is bio-converted to its biologically active form, vitamin E, within the skin when applied topically.  Studies show that topical use of tocopherol and alpha tocopherol acetate are more effective than dietary supplementation in increasing the vitamin E content of the skin.

Supported by numerous studies over the past few years, Vitamin E Acetate has been shown to increase the enzyme activity in the skin, prevent free radical induced skin damage, increase epithelisation of surface wounds and increase the moisturisation of the horny layer.