Committing to a vegan lifestyle can be challenging, especially when it comes to sourcing ingredients to ensure they are 100% plant-based. One such compound that raises questions is tocopherol.
Tocopherol can refer to a number of organic chemical compounds found in wheat germ oil, egg yolk, and leafy vegetables that contain vitamin E activity. It is most often derived from natural sources like vegetable oil, nuts, and seeds, but some producers of vitamin E may process tocopherol through animal sources or contain animal byproducts.
Tocopherol is almost always derived from natural sources that have inherent vitamin E properties, but there are some caveats to consider. In this article, we’ll discuss what tocopherol is and whether it’s safe to consume for vegans.
What Is Tocopherol?
You’re probably familiar with vitamin E, a well-recognized and researched class of compounds that have benefits for your skin.
Naturally occurring vitamin E consists of tocopherols and tocotrienols, each consisting of four forms:
- Alpha
- Beta
- Gamma
- Delta
Collectively, vitamin E refers to these 8 compounds. Tocopherol specifically consists of alpha-tocopherols, beta-tocopherols, gamma-tocopherols, and delta-tocopherols.
When people refer to tocopherol, they are almost always referring to alpha-tocopherol, which has proven benefits for the skin.
Tocopherol is the driving force behind vitamin E, containing powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and can be found in any of the following skincare products:
- Eye shadow
- Moisturizer
- Face masks
- Lip balms and lipstick
- Body wash
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Shaving cream
- Bar soap
- Sunscreen
Tocopherol can also occur naturally in foods and, of course, vitamin E supplements. Vegetable oils contain the highest amounts of tocopherol, and alpha-tocopherol can be found in nuts, seeds, and leafy greens.
What Benefits Do Tocopherols Have?
Tocopherol has several beneficial effects on the body. While most of these benefits are related to skincare, tocopherols are also beneficial inside the body in moderation.
Promotes Hydration and Protects Skin
Vitamin E is popular as a skincare product because it promotes elasticity and moisture in the skin, strengthening the capillary walls.
That’s why you’ll often find tocopherol in lotions and moisturizers. Its active components can reduce the risk of skin damage and minimize the severity of some skin issues and environmental damage over time.
It may also help prevent scarring and reduce signs of aging.
Works as an Antioxidant
Tocopherol contains antioxidant properties and is an immune booster.
Antioxidants actively work against the production of free radicals, which are associated with cancer. It can also fortify cell membranes that may be vulnerable to free radical attacks.
Potentially, tocopherol’s antioxidant properties can help slow or prevent the following chronic diseases:
- Atherosclerosis
- Asthma
- Degenerative eye disease
- Diabetes
- Cancer
Contains Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Tocopherol is an anti-inflammatory, both internally and externally on the body, and as you may be aware, inflammation is associated with many skin conditions and diseases.
Mixed tocopherols are demonstrably more effective against inflammatory diseases like cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Natural vs Synthetic Tocopherol
The core difference between naturally sourced vitamin E and synthetic vitamin E is potency. Of course, synthetically produced vitamin E is much easier to manufacture since it does not need to be purified and removed from pesticides and plant products.
To combat the falloff in potency, artificially derived vitamin E sources are formulated in higher concentrations than their natural counterparts.
Synthetic tocopherols are considered controversial since the process includes trimethylhydroquinone, a class of chemicals used in skin bleaching.
Hydroquinone was associated with an increased risk of cancer in a study of hydroquinone on mice; however, the results of the study were misinterpreted, and over 100 scientific articles confirm that hydroquinone is a safe topical for humans.
Are Tocopherols Vegan?
Tocopherols, whether synthetic or naturally sourced, are vegan since they are only found in vegetable and plant-based sources.
Synthetic tocopherols are derived from vegetable oil or petroleum, while natural tocopherols are found in soybean oil, wheat germ oil, nuts, and seeds.
Unfortunately, while tocopherols themselves might be safe, you will still want to exercise caution when buying vitamin E supplements. Other additives and byproducts may be sourced from animals; moreover, the risk of cross-contamination is still present.
It’s always important to check for a vegan trademark to ensure that the product is completely vegan, with no byproducts or additives sourced from animals.
The only definitive way to know whether a particular brand of supplements is safe to consume with a vegan lifestyle is to contact the manufacturer directly.
Final Word
Tocopherols are safe, effective, and widely supported by a bevy of scientific research.
As such, you can use this powerful vitamin E compound with confidence. If you’re adhering to a vegan lifestyle, tocopherols are inherently safe since they are sourced from plants or vegetable oils, but you may want to contact the manufacturer to ensure the skincare or supplement product itself is free from animal additives and byproducts.
