A water-soluble Vitamin E derivative with a balanced 30 PEG to 10 PPG ratio, creating a predominantly hydrophilic molecule from the naturally lipophilic tocopherol. This ether delivers antioxidant protection in clear, water-based cosmetic products and is particularly effective in serums, mists, and gel formulations where oil-soluble Vitamin E cannot be used.
Key Skin Benefits
+ Water-soluble antioxidant delivery — enables Vitamin E in clear serums and toners
+ Effective free radical scavenger — protects skin from oxidative stress and photoaging
+ Synergistic with other antioxidants — works well alongside Vitamin C, Ferulic Acid, and CoQ10
Pros
+ Decades of Vitamin E research — PMID: 1000+ publications on tocopherol dermatological benefits
+ CIR reviewed — safe as used in cosmetic formulations
+ EWG score: 1 — very low hazard
+ High PEG ratio — excellent water solubility for clear formulations
+ Non-comedogenic — safe for oily and combination skin
Cons
− Contains PEG — ethoxylation byproduct risk although highly regulated in cosmetics
− Oxidation-sensitive — must be protected with airless packaging and co-antioxidants
− Less potent per gram versus pure tocopherol due to polymer chain mass
− Not natural — synthetic etherification process
Specifications
Property
Value
Usage Areas
Face, Eye, Body
Product Type
Leave-On, Rinse-Off
Source
Semi-synthetic
Natural Level
Semi-synthetic
Safety Ratings
Metric
Rating
Skin Sensitivity
1/5 (very low)
Comedogenic Rating
0/5
EWG Score
1/10
Regional Regulatory Limits
Region
Leave-on %
Rinse-off %
Status
EU (CosIng)
No limit
No limit
Allowed
US (CIR/FDA)
No limit
No limit
Allowed
Japan (MHLW)
No limit
No limit
Allowed
ASEAN
No limit
No limit
Allowed
China (NMPA)
No limit
No limit
Allowed
Typical Usage % by Product Type
Product Type
Typical %
Clear serums
0.1-2%
Facial mists
0.05-1%
Gel moisturizers
0.1-1%
References
CIR (2018) — Safety Assessment of Tocopherols and Tocotrienols as Used in Cosmetics. Int J Toxicol. PMID: 29616569.
Keen MA, Hassan I (2016) — Vitamin E in dermatology. Indian Dermatol Online J. PMID: 27601852.
CosIng (2025) — European Commission Cosmetic Ingredient Database. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
EWG Skin Deep — Tocopherol and Derivatives Hazard Score. https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/
Thiele JJ et al. (2001) — Vitamin E: critical review of its role in cutaneous biology. Free Radic Biol Med. PMID: 11395424.