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Vitamin E
  • rach3223
    Hi,
    I have a general question relating to Vitamin E, which has been confusing to me. Do you happen to know the difference between Tocopherol and Tocopheryl Acetate? I read somewhere that Tocopherol isn’t as bad as Tocopheryl Acetate, but not sure if that’s true…are they both contaminated with Hydroquinone? Are either of these ingredients ones to try to avoid when going product-shopping?

    Thanks so much,
    Rachel
  • sarahf
    I'm not sure of the answer to your question, but curious--where did you hear that they are contaminated with hydroquinone?  I've never heard that.
  • rach3223
    Hi Sarah,
    I read it here: http://www.goddesshuntress.com/tag/hydroquinone/

    Also, just noticed it here (under Tocopheryl Acetate's entry): http://www.bubbleandbee.com/Chemical%20Database.html

    Not sure how reliable these are...I've noticed that Tocopherol and/or Tocopheryl Acetate are in so many products, so was just trying to understand the differences between them and if we should attempt to avoid them or not...

    Thanks so much!
  • lindygirl1960
    On the cosmetics cop site it is listed in the ingredients database under vitamin e: http://www.cosmeticscop.com/cosmetic-ingredient-dictionary/definition/1573/vitamin-e.aspx

    A google search for the tocopherol acetate gave me this link: http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient_details.php?ingredient_id=585

    Both sites indicate the ingredient is safe to use. The second one I listed is a .org site meaning not for profit. It was the only one on the first page of the google search that was a .org site and hopefully does not have an agenda. (Like scaring consumers unnecessarily.)

    The cosmetics cop site has this to say on hydroquinone: http://www.cosmeticscop.com/cosmetic-ingredient-dictionary/definition/743/hydroquinone.aspx

    This article does say : "Some concerns about hydroquinone’s safety on skin have been expressed, but the research when it comes to topical application indicates that negative reactions are minor, are a result of using extremely high concentrations, or result from the use of other skin-lightening agents such as glucocorticoids or mercury iodine."

    I didn't see anything that indicated either of the forms of Vitamin E are 'contaminated' with hydroquinone.

    Maybe the Brains can answer that one.
  • sarahf
    Here is a link to a reliable source for safety information.  You'll also note the reference to the food and drug administration's conclusion that tocopherol is "generally recognized as safe."  http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient_details.php?ingredient_id=520
    Although this does not prove that it is safe, hydroquinone itself is naturally occurring in the "leaves, bark and fruit of a number of plants" (source: international agency for research on cancer - IARC).  This includes cranberries and blueberries, which we commonly consider safe and healthful foods.  Like tocopherol (vitamin E), which is an antioxidant, these fruits also contain antioxidants that I suspect theoretically may be anti-carcinogenic (help protect against cell damage and cancer).  Hydroquinone is also naturally-occurring in wine, beer, and grains.
    The IARC concludes that hydroquinone itself is "not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity in humans."  Although the animal data led IARC to conclude that there is "limited evidence" that hydroquinone causes cancer in experimental animals, they concluded that there is "inadequate evidence" that hydroquinone causes cancer in humans.
    Given that it has not been classified at this point as a possible, probable or definite human carcinogen, and that even foods that we consider healthful expose us to small amounts of hydroquinone, and that the ability of chemicals to cause cancer is almost always (if not always) dose related (depends on the amount you get exposed to), IMO it would be safe to conclude that exposure to trace amounts of hydroquinone as a contaminant is unlikely to increase your cancer risk at all.
    That is just my non-expert opinion.  Again, I do not have expertise in chemistry or toxicology.
    Sarah
  • sarahf
    Hi Lindygirl,
    We crossed in the mail.  I linked to the cosmeticsinfo site as well!  I did find some information on the web suggesting that hydroquinone may be a raw material used to produce vitamin E.
    Sarah
  • lindygirl1960
    Would be good to hear from the Brains on this one, don't you think?
  • sarahf
    Yes, I'd love to hear what they have to say.
  • rach3223
    Thanks, guys! How do we ask the Brains? (I'm new to this!) Will they read this or do I have to go somewhere to ask them specifically?
  • sarahf
    Hi Rach,
    The brains are quite busy and may or may not respond.  There is no other way to ask them but Lindygirl sometimes corresponds with them via facebook.  Another option is to go to the Personal Care Truth website, www.personalcaretruth.com and pose your question in the "ask the experts" section.  One of the brains is on the expert panel at Personal Care Truth.
    Sarah
  • rach3223
    Oh, thank you! I will try that.
  • rach3223
    O oops, I don't quite see where you can actually post a question on that site...
  • sarahf
    I see what you mean.  I would send it here, you can put in your note that you would like to submit your question as an "ask the experts" question.
    http://personalcaretruth.com/contact/submit-feedback/
  • sarahf
    Hi Rachel,
    Did you see you got an answer to your ask the experts question on the Personal Care Truth site?
    Sarah
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