Excellent Antioxidant

Tocotrienols

INCI: TOCOTRIENOLS

CAS Number
6829-55-6
Function
Antioxidant; lipid-soluble free radical scavenger (HAT mechanism); skin-conditioning agent; anti-aging active
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT

Regulatory Status

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ EU Status permitted
EU Max Conc. 0.05โ€“1%
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ US Status permitted
US Notes CIR Expert Panel has assessed tocopherol and mixed tocopherol fractions (including tocotrienol-containing natural extracts) as safe in cosmetics. No standalone CIR formal assessment for isolated tocotrienols. FDA-GRAS for food use as part of mixed tocopherol fractions (palm oil, annatto-derived). No concentration limits imposed.

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
adequate
Dermal Absorption
high
Sensitization
none

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

Tocotrienols are emerging vitamin E analogues with the same HAT antioxidant mechanism as tocopherols but with an unsaturated side chain potentially enabling superior membrane distribution. Systematic review evidence suggests per-molecule antioxidant superiority over tocopherols, though cosmetic clinical trial data remains limited. Primary sources are palm oil and annatto; formulation challenge is poor water solubility requiring lipid vehicles or advanced delivery systems. No regulatory restrictions; strong anti-aging and photoprotective positioning with synergistic potential alongside vitamins C and ferulic acid.

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Concern Level: None

Regulatory Flags

antioxidant lipophilic hat-mechanism vitamin-e-family emerging-evidence superior-per-molecule palm-oil-source annatto-source anti-aging photoprotective encapsulation-recommended

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tocotrienols safe in cosmetics?

Tocotrienols are emerging vitamin E analogues with the same HAT antioxidant mechanism as tocopherols but with an unsaturated side chain potentially enabling superior membrane distribution. Systematic review evidence suggests per-molecule antioxidant superiority over tocopherols, though cosmetic clinical trial data remains limited. Primary sources are palm oil and annatto; formulation challenge is poor water solubility requiring lipid vehicles or advanced delivery systems. No regulatory restrictions; strong anti-aging and photoprotective positioning with synergistic potential alongside vitamins C and ferulic acid. The EU classifies Tocotrienols as "permitted". Safety rating: EXCELLENT.

Is Tocotrienols allowed in the EU?

Tocotrienols EU regulatory status: permitted. Maximum allowed concentration: 0.05โ€“1%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Tocotrienols do in cosmetics?

Tocotrienols functions as: Antioxidant; lipid-soluble free radical scavenger (HAT mechanism); skin-conditioning agent; anti-aging active. It is classified as a Antioxidant in our database. CAS number: 6829-55-6.

What is the Margin of Safety for Tocotrienols?

adequate The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.

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