what is tocopherol

Tocopherol is a class of naturally occurring chemical compounds related to Vitamin E. It is a form of vitamin E that serves as a powerful antioxidant and is used as an ingredient in skin care products to promote healthy aging. There are two classes of naturally occurring vitamin E — tocopherols and tocotrienols. Each one of these classes has four forms: alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. Tocopherols are considered safe, but there is a possibility of a tocopherol allergy when used topically. Vitamin E supplements may interact with several types of medications, including anticoagulants, antiplatelets, chemotherapy drugs, and radiotherapy. Tocopherols have been suggested to reduce the risk of cancer due to their strong antioxidant properties, and all tocopherols are strong antioxidants, but delta and gamma tocopherols are more effective in trapping reactive nitrogen species than alpha tocopherol.