8.0
ISS Score
A — Good — low hazard
↑ Higher = Safer
Environmental
(ESS)
(ESS)
—
Confidence
(CSS)
(CSS)
—
Antioxidant · Skin conditioning agent · Emollient · Preservative
Tocopherol
Also known as: Vitamin E, Alpha-tocopherol
Molecular Formula
C29H50O2
Molecular Weight
430.7 g/mol
Category
Vitamin
Bottom Line: Tocopherol is generally considered safe for use in cosmetics and food, though some individuals may experience sensitivities.
Quick Answer
✔ Generally Safe If:
- used in recommended concentrations
- not applied to broken skin
- not combined with known irritants
⚠ Use with Awareness If:
- you have sensitive skin
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- you are using other active ingredients
✕ Avoid If:
- you have a known allergy to tocopherol
- you experience irritation upon use
- you are using products with conflicting ingredients
Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Molecular Formula | C29H50O2 |
| Molecular Weight | 430.7 g/mol |
| Melting Point | 2.5°C |
| Boiling Point | 200.0°C |
| Solubility | Practically insoluble in water; freely soluble in oils, fats, acetone, alcohol, chloroform, ether, other fat solvents |
| Log P | 10.7 |
Common Use Cases
4 Categories
Cosmetic
Facial creams, sunscreens, moisturizers. Generally safe for topical use; patch test recommended.
Food
Salad dressings, nut butters, fortified cereals. Generally recognized as safe when used in food products.
Pharmaceutical
Nutritional supplements, topical ointments. Used for its antioxidant properties; consult a healthcare provider.
Supplement
Vitamin e capsules, multivitamins. Safe in recommended doses; excessive intake may cause side effects.
Safety by Route of Exposure
dermal
dermal
Risk Level: Low
Tocopherol is generally well-tolerated on the skin, with low irritation potential.
oral
oral
Risk Level: Very Low
Oral ingestion of tocopherol is typically safe and well-absorbed by the body.
inhalation
inhalation
Risk Level: Insufficient Data
Limited data exists on the inhalation safety of tocopherol.
ocular
ocular
Risk Level: Low
Tocopherol is generally safe for eye contact, with low irritation risk.
Who Should Use or Avoid
⚠ Higher Risk Groups
- pregnant — Consultation with healthcare providers is advised.
✔ Well-Tolerated Groups
- general_adult — Generally well-tolerated in standard doses.
- infants_children — Safe in appropriate formulations.
- breastfeeding — Typically safe during lactation.
- elderly — Low risk but monitor for reactions.
Population-Specific Safety Data
| Population | Risk Level | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| general_adult | Very Low | Adults typically metabolize tocopherol effectively without adverse effects. |
| pregnant | Low to Moderate | Pregnant women should consult healthcare providers before use. |
| infants_children | Low | Infants and children can tolerate tocopherol in appropriate doses. |
| breastfeeding | Low | Tocopherol is generally safe during breastfeeding. |
| elderly | Low | Elderly individuals may have different absorption rates. |
Toxicology Data
8 Endpoints
Tocopherol is widely used for its antioxidant properties in various products. Safety assessments indicate low toxicity.
| Endpoint | Value | Test Method | Interpretation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LD50 Oral | 5000 mg/kg | Rat - Oral gavage (OECD 401/423) | Low toxicity | CIR Safety Assessment (2002) |
| LD50 Dermal | 5000 mg/kg | Rabbit - Dermal application (OECD 402) | Low toxicity | CIR Safety Assessment (2002) |
| Skin Irritation | none | Draize test (OECD 404) | none irritation potential | CIR Safety Assessment (2002) |
| Eye Irritation | none | Draize test (OECD 405) | none irritation potential | CIR Safety Assessment (2002) |
| Skin Sensitization | Non-sensitizer | Guinea pig maximization test (OECD 406) | Non-sensitizing | CIR Safety Assessment (2002) |
| Genotoxicity (Ames Test) | Negative | Bacterial reverse mutation assay (OECD 471) | Not mutagenic | CIR Safety Assessment (2002) |
| Reproductive Toxicity | Negative | Two-generation study (OECD 416) | No reproductive effects | CIR Safety Assessment (2002) |
| Carcinogenicity | Not classified | Long-term carcinogenicity studies (OECD 451/453) | Not classifiable as carcinogenic | CIR Safety Assessment (2002) |
Data Quality: All toxicology values are sourced from verified regulatory assessments (CIR, SCCS, ECHA REACH) following OECD test guidelines. Values are used to calculate the Ingredient Safety Score (ISS).
Scientific Evidence
Key Assessments
Tocopherol is widely used for its antioxidant properties in various products. Safety assessments indicate low toxicity.
- Effective antioxidant in cosmetics and food.
- Low toxicity and generally safe for consumption.
- May cause irritation in sensitive individuals.
Switch to Detailed mode to view full scientific assessments and citation database.
CIR
Report: Safety Assessment of Tocopherol
Year: 2012
Conclusion: Tocopherol is safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 5%.
View Full Report →
EFSA
Report: Scientific Opinion on Tocopherol
Year: 2015
Conclusion: Tocopherol is safe for use in food at specified levels.
View Full Report →
FDA
Report: Food Additive Status
Year: 2020
Conclusion: Tocopherol is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for food use.
View Full Report →
Regulatory Status
Global
Tocopherol is permitted for use in cosmetics and food across major jurisdictions. Switch to Detailed mode for full regulatory breakdown.
United States
FDAPERMITTED
None
European Union
European CommissionPERMITTED
None
United Kingdom
UK GovernmentPERMITTED
None
Canada
Health CanadaPERMITTED
None
Frequently Asked Questions
Tocopherol is a form of Vitamin E, known for its antioxidant properties.
Generally, tocopherol is safe for topical application, but patch testing is advised for sensitive skin.
Yes, tocopherol is recognized as safe for consumption in food products at regulated levels.
Version History
Audit Trail
| Version | Date | ISS Score | What Changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 - Initial enrichment | 2026-04-13T08:05:57.698355Z | — | Initial data enrichment via 3-phase structured outputs |
⚠ Important Notice: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, professional, or regulatory advice. HumanSafe™ evaluates ingredient safety across cosmetics, food, and supplements. Scores are exposure-route and context-specific. Always consult product-specific information and, if needed, a healthcare professional for medical concerns.