What it is
The register’s chemical name for it: “3,4-Dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H-benzopyran-6-yl acetate.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- TOCOPHERYL ACETATE
- CAS number
- 7695-91-2 / 58-95-7
- EC number
- 231-710-0 / 200-405-4
- Written on these labels as
- Tocopheryl Acetate; Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Tocopheryl Acetate in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Antioxidant
-
Slows the oxygen damage that makes oils go rancid in the bottle. Vitamin E (tocopherol) is the common one.
Register definition: “Inhibiting reactions promoted by oxygen, thus avoiding oxidation and rancidity.”
- Skin conditioning
-
The register’s broad role for ingredients that keep skin in good condition. On a hair label it often sits beside a hair role, or marks a plant oil or extract.
Register definition: “Maintaining the skin in good condition.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Shampoos 3 labels First five names: 0 of 3 Shampoos without it
- Clarifying shampoos 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Clarifying shampoos without it
- Rinse-out conditioners 4 labels First five names: 0 of 4 Rinse-out conditioners without it
- Deep conditioners 6 labels First five names: 0 of 6 Deep conditioners without it
- Leave-in conditioners 4 labels First five names: 0 of 4 Leave-in conditioners without it
- Stylers 4 labels First five names: 0 of 4 Stylers without it
- Protein treatments 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Protein treatments without it
- Heat protectants 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Heat protectants without it
- Hair oils 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Hair oils without it
- Curl refreshers 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Curl refreshers without it
Every label, product by product (30)
- Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo Shampoo 8th of 37 names
- tgin Moisture Rich Sulfate Free Shampoo Shampoo 7th of 24 names
- The Doux SUCKA FREE Moisturizing Shampoo Shampoo 20th of 23 names
- Maui Moisture Scalp Care Clarifying Shampoo with Apple Cider Vinegar Clarifying shampoo 9th of 34 names
- tgin Triple Moisture Replenishing Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 8th of 33 names
- Bounce Curl Super Smooth Cream Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner · listed as Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) 11th of 34 names
- Giovanni Smooth As Silk Deeper Moisture Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner · listed as Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) 15th of 20 names
- Aunt Jackie's In Control Moisturizing Softening Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 30th of 39 names
- Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Hair Masque Deep conditioner 13th of 37 names
- tgin Honey Miracle Hair Mask Deep conditioner 13th of 29 names
- The Doux THAT’S DEEP 5-Minute Deep Conditioner Deep conditioner 15th of 25 names
- As I Am Hydration Elation Intensive Conditioner Deep conditioner 20th of 29 names
- SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque Deep conditioner 18th of 23 names
- Camille Rose Algae Renew Deep Conditioning Mask Deep conditioner · listed as Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) 23rd of 25 names
- tgin Green Tea Super Moist Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 9th of 34 names
- Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave-In Conditioning Spray Leave-in conditioner 9th of 24 names
- SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 17th of 28 names
- Bounce Curl Moisture Balance Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner · listed as Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) 13th of 21 names
- The Doux MOUSSE DEF Texture Foam Styler 6th of 17 names
- As I Am Curling Jelly Styler 9th of 19 names
- Camille Rose Curl Maker Styler · listed as Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) 14th of 18 names
- Camille Rose Aloe Whipped Butter Gel Styler · listed as Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) 14th of 18 names
- ApHogee Two-Step Protein Treatment Protein treatment 16th of 29 names
- ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor Protein treatment 34th of 44 names
- TRESemmé Protecting Heat Styling Spray Heat protectant 7th of 29 names
- Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Crème Heat protectant 11th of 30 names
- Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil Hair oil 20th of 32 names
- Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil Hair oil 24th of 31 names
- PATTERN Hydrating Mist Curl refresher 17th of 52 names
- Curlsmith Shake & Shine Curl refresher 32nd of 51 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other antioxidant ingredients on these labels
- Tocopherol 45 labels
- Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil 7 labels
- Hydroxyacetophenone 6 labels
- Ascorbic Acid 4 labels
- Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate 3 labels
- Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract 3 labels
- Sodium Metabisulfite 3 labels
- Apium Graveolens (Celery) Seed Extract 2 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.