Ingredient decoder

Tocopherol: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Tocopherol

Acne verdict Fine

Not a known pore-clogger

  • Comedogenic0-3 / 5
  • Irritancy0-3 / 5

What it does

Vitamin E that protects skin and keeps oils fresh.

  • Antioxidant
  • Antioxidant
  • Masking
  • Skin conditioning

Tocopherol in plain English

Tocopherol is vitamin E, an oil-soluble antioxidant. In skin care it helps protect skin from environmental damage and keeps oils in the formula from spoiling. It is usually used at low levels and is generally fine for acne-prone skin, though richer vitamin E oils can feel heavy.

Is tocopherol bad for acne?

Not based on the evidence we have. Tocopherol is not a known pore-clogger: it scored 0 to 3 out of 5 in Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear test of the raw ingredient. That raw score is on the higher side, so watch how your skin reacts if it sits near the top of a list.

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Also called

  • Tocopherol
  • Vitamin e
  • Alpha-tocopherol
  • D-alpha-tocopherol
  • Dl-alpha-tocopherol
  • Mixed tocopherols

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Frequently asked questions

Is tocopherol comedogenic?

Tocopherol scored 0 to 3 out of 5 for comedogenicity in Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear study, where 0 means no clogging and 5 means severe. That is a moderate rating. The test used the raw ingredient, so a finished product may behave differently.

What does tocopherol do in skincare?

In short: vitamin E that protects skin and keeps oils fresh. In formulas it is used for antioxidant, masking and skin conditioning.

What else is tocopherol called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, tocopherol can also appear as Vitamin e, Alpha-tocopherol, D-alpha-tocopherol or Dl-alpha-tocopherol.

Sources