Cited skincare — every flag names its source, no upsell.
Vi

Vitamin E (Tocopherol)

TocopherolAntioxidant

An antioxidant whose skin benefits come from lab tests. Low on a list, it mostly keeps a formula’s oils fresh.

What it does

It protects the fats in your skin’s barrier from damage. Its benefits for skin come from lab tests.

The EU’s ingredient database lists it as an antioxidant (slows reactions with oxygen, like going rancid) and an occlusive (slows water loss from skin).European Commission, CosIng (© European Union, CC BY 4.0) · uses put in plain words by Drop ↗

The evidence, graded

emergingFine together — vitamin C and vitamin E are both antioxidants, and they were studied as a pair: vitamin C (15% L-ascorbic acid) with 1% vitamin E. Adding ferulic acid, another antioxidant, made the vitamins last longer and doubled the protection against lab UV light, measured by redness and damaged skin cells.Lin 2005 · Journal of Investigative Dermatology ↗

Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.

Pairs worth knowing

Read more

How Drop works · 5 minConcentration Alone Doesn't Tell the Whole Story: pH, Formulation, and Delivery MatterA higher vitamin C percentage isn't always a more potent serum. Concentration is one variable; pH, formulation, and delivery often matter as much or more.Reading the evidence · 6 minSunscreen for Aging Concerns: What a 4.5-Year Trial ShowedDaily sunscreen slowed visible skin aging in a 4.5-year randomized trial, rare evidence in skincare. What that trial shows, and what it doesn't.How Drop works · 4 minWhy Skincare Fridges Are Mostly a Marketing StoryMost skincare products are formulated for room-temperature stability. Vitamin C and retinol benefit from cool dark storage — a cabinet is sufficient.

Browse all 1238 ingredients — grouped by what they do, each with whatever evidence we can cite.

This page is public so a shared ingredient card always has its sources behind it — and so you can check them without an account.
Want more like this?
Every evidence-based flag cites its source, Drop tells you when your routine is complete, and it helps you simplify — instead of selling you more. The app launches on iOS and Android in October 2026. Rate my routine works today at /rate — no sign-in.