PEG/PPG-5/10 TOCOPHERYL ETHER

INCI: PEG/PPG-5/10 TOCOPHERYL ETHER | Function: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning | Type: Antioxidant

What Is PEG/PPG-5/10 TOCOPHERYL ETHER?

A water-dispersible Vitamin E (Tocopherol) derivative, etherified with 5 PEG and 10 PPG units. The PEG/PPG chain renders the otherwise lipophilic tocopherol molecule soluble in aqueous cosmetic systems. It provides antioxidant protection, helps stabilize other oxidation-prone ingredients, and contributes to skin conditioning in clear serums, toners, and light creams.

Key Skin Benefits

+ Delivers antioxidant activity in water-based formulas — protects skin from free radical damage
+ Stabilizes formulations — helps prevent oxidation of sensitive actives like Vitamin C and retinol
+ Improves skin hydration — contributes to barrier function when used topically

Pros

+ Backed by extensive tocopherol research — decades of clinical studies support Vitamin E's skin benefits
+ CIR-safe — Tocopherol and its derivatives are recognized as safe cosmetic ingredients
+ EWG score: 1 — low hazard profile
+ Non-comedogenic — will not clog pores
+ Water-dispersible — broadens formulation possibilities beyond oil phases

Cons

− PEG/PPG chain dilutes the active tocopherol content — higher percentage needed vs pure tocopherol
− Ethoxylated — potential for trace 1,4-dioxane in poorly manufactured batches
− Oxidation-sensitive — requires protective packaging and antioxidant stabilizers in formula
− Synthetic processing — the etherification step disqualifies it from natural certifications

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 %
Serums	0.1-2%
Toners / essences	0.05-1%
Day creams	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.

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