J. Cosmet. Sci.

, 61, 353365 (September/October 2010)

Analysis of vitamin E in commercial cosmetic preparations

by HPLC

ALY NADA, YELLELA S.R. KRISHNAIAH, ABDEL-AZIM

ZAGHLOUL, and IBRAHIM KHATTAB, Faculty of Pharmacy,
Kuwait University, Kuwait (A.N., A.-A.Z., I.K.), and College of Pharmacy,
Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (Y.S.R.K.).

Accepted for publication May 13, 2010. Presented at the AAPS Physical Pharmacy and Biopharmaceutics
Workshop, Baltimore, Maryland, May 1315, 2009.

Synopsis
A specific HPLC method, with an RPC-18 column and a UV detector, for simultaneous determination of
vitamin E (tochopherol, T)/T acetate (TA) in four commercial and two experimental cosmetic products is de-
scribed. Three solvent systems for extraction of T/TA were assessed: isopropyl alcohol; 10:90 v/v hexane-methanol
mixture (method 1); and methanol alone (method 2). The procedure was accurate, as indicated by high recov-
ery (97.8101.8% and 100.1102.5% for T and TA, respectively) and precise (RSD was only 0.93.26% and
0.733.35% for T and TA, respectively). The limits of detection for T and TA were 200 and 300 ng/ml, re-
spectively, while the limits of quantitation were 250 and 400 ng/ml, respectively. The range of reliable quan-
tification was 550 g/ml. Isopropanol as solvent resulted in a turbid extract. Method 1 and method 2 of
extraction showed high recovery (98.599.9% and 97.297.9% for T and TA, respectively). After a few weeks
of analysis, method 1 resulted in retention time drift, peak broadening, non-reproducible results, and progres-
sive loss of HPLC-column integrity. Methanol alone (method 2) was equally as efficient as that of the mixture
of methanol with 10% hexane (method 1) for extraction. The described analytical procedure proved to be ac-
curate, precise, and suitable for simultaneous determination of T and TA in real commercial cosmetic products.

INTRODUCTION
Cosmetic changes associated with aging, especially in the face, are particularly concern-
ing to the patient/consumer population that wishes to remain looking youthful all the
time. Inclusion of botanical extracts such as vitamins and anti-microbials to cosmetics has
become an important marketing advantage. These ingredients have the appeal of appear-
ing wholesome and organic. Although scientific evidence shows that some of these in-
gredients do have some in vitro anti-aging activity, the question remains as to whether it
is possible to deliver adequate doses to the skin in vivo (1). Vitamin E is one of the best
established ingredients in OTC products for skin aging. It is a lipid-soluble antioxidant
that plays key roles in protecting cell membranes from lipid peroxidation by free radicals
and in reducing photocarcinogesis (24). Thiele et al. concluded that -tocopherol is the

Address all correspondence to Aly Nada.

353
354 JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE

major antioxidant in the human epidermis, and that its depletion is an early and sensitive
marker of environmental oxidative damage (5).
Vitamin E is available as the free alcohol or its esters, and the beneficial effects of vitamin
E-containing cosmetic products depend on the concentration of added T and/or TA as well
as their stability. Several analytical methods have been used to estimate the concentration
of T and TA in pharmaceutical/cosmetic products and food supplements (68). Ruperes
et al. reviewed chromatographic analysis of T and related compounds in food, pharmaceu-
ticals, plants, animal tissues, etc., and pointed out the complications of the matrix in
the analytical method (9). The authors indicated that sample preparation is a critical step,
is time-consuming and expensive, and is the main source of errors in the analytical method.
Moreover, it is worthwhile to mention that working with cosmetic products represents
additional difficulties due to the presence of many excipients/vehicles, e.g., fats, oils, and
waxes, that possess a similar lipophylic nature as the analytes. Such materials are usually
present in very high concentrations relative to the vitamins, which further complicates the
analytical process. Although numerous methods for determination of T derivatives in
pharmaceuticals such as tablets and capsules are described in the literature, no typical ana-
lytical methods for determination of T and TA in actual commercial cosmetic products
have been published (9). Guaratini et al. (8) reported on the stability of experimental cos-
metic gel-cream formulations containing vitamin E acetate and vitamin A palmitate. Re-
cently, Almeida et al. (10) documented an HPLC method for determination of tocopheyl
acetate and ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate in an experimental cosmetic formulation. However,
both studies (8,10) applied the proposed analytical methods on lab gel formulation, which
in fact does not resemble the complex lipid matrices commonly encountered in commer-
cial cosmetics. In addition, Dingler et al. (11) reported on an HPLC method for determina-
tion of T in a dermal product; however, the authors applied only cetyl palmitate as the
lipid carrier, which does not simulate the actual complex nature of commercial products.
Hence, the present study was carried out to develop a specific, precise, and accurate HPLC
method for simultaneous determination of both T and TA in real commercial cosmetic prod-
ucts. The investigation was focused on the development of an extraction procedure to selec-
tively pick up the vitamin/ester from such cosmetics with good extraction efficiency and to
leave the commonly associated lipophylic materials. The results of the proposed HPLC method
were validated using two experimental cosmetic creams simulating the complex cosmetic
bases commonly experienced in real commercial products, each containing about 0.5% of T or
TA, as well as four marketed cosmetic cream products containing TA.

EXPERIMENTAL

MATERIALS

The methanol, acetonitrile, hexane, and ethanol used in the study were of HPLC grade
(Merck, Darmstadt, Germany). Vitamin E acetate was obtained from BASF, Ludwig-
shafen, Germany. Vitamin E, soybean oil, and corn oil were procured from Sigma Aldrich
Chemie GmbH, Steinheim, Germany. Propylene glycol (Generico Medical Practice, AB
Almere, Holland), stearic acid, white soft paraffin, potassium hydroxide (Loba CHEMIE-
India), lanoline, glycerol, sorbitol (Gainland Chemical Company, UK), Captex SBE, and
Acconon S-35 (ABITEC Corporation, Janesville, USA) were of analytical grade.
 HPLC ANALYSIS OF VITAMIN E IN COSMETICS 355

METHODS

Preparation of stock and working solutions. Stock solutions of T and TA in methanol (100
500 g/ml) were prepared in amber glass vials and kept refrigerated. The stock solutions
were used to prepare standard solutions of T and TA in methanol, covering a concentra-
tion range of 150 g/ml.
HPLC method. The proposed method involved a Waters 2690 HPLC (Waters 2690 Sepra-
tions Module, Milford, MA) with a variable wavelength PDA detector, a disposable C-18
guard column, and an RP Waters Symmetry C-18 column (4.6 ratio 150-mm, 5-m
particle size). The column temperature was maintained at 25C. A series of drug solu-
tions with a concentration range of 125 g/ml, prepared as described above, was filled
into sample tubes and loaded into the auto-injection chamber of the HPLC system. The
system was programmed to inject each of the samples (50 l) at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min.
The eluents were monitored at 290 nm and 283 nm for T and TA, respectively. The peak
areas for T and TA were recorded, and analyzed using the Millennium Software Empower
from Waters. The peak areas of T and TA were subjected to regression analysis against
their concentrations.
Method development. Initial trial experiments were conducted, in a view to select a
suitable solvent system for the accurate estimation of the vitamin and to achieve
good resolution between T and TA. The suitability of the mobile phase was decided
on the basis of the sensitivity of the assay, the suitability for stability studies, the
time required for the analysis, ease of preparation, and the use of readily available
cost-effective solvents. These included acetonitrile-methanol (95:5 %v/v), acetonitrile
(100 %v/v), methanol-water (70:30 %v/v), acetonitrile-water (90:10 %v/v), and
methanol-water (97:3 %v/v). A mobile phase system comprising of methanol-water
(97:3 %v/v) was found to be optimum, based on retention time, peak symmetry, and
resolution.
Method validation
(a) Linearity. A series of standard curves was prepared over a concentration range of 550
g/ml from a stock solution (500 g/ml) in methanol. Dilutions were prepared in meth-
anol too. The data of peak area versus drug concentration were treated by linear least-
square regression analysis. The standard curves were evaluated for intraday and interday
reproducibility.
(b) Precision. The three components of precision, i.e., repeatability, intermediate preci-
sion, and reproducibility, in accordance with ICH recommendations (11), were deter-
mined as follows:
Repeatability. Five injections containing a mixture of T and TA (10 g/ml each) were
analyzed and %RSD was calculated for injection repeatability.
Intraday variation. Measurement of intraday variation of T and TA at three different
concentrations (5, 10, and 25 g/ml) was done by injecting the samples on the same
day at different time intervals.
Intermediate precision (interday variation). Measurement of interday variation of T and TA
mix solutions at three different concentrations (5, 10, and 25 g/ml) on five consecu-
tive days determined the intermediate precision.
(c) Accuracy. Accuracy is the measure of how close the experimental value is to the
true value. Recovery studies by the standard addition method were performed in a
356 JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE

view to justify the accuracy of the proposed method. A standard solution of the mix-
ture containing both ester and base (10 g/ml each) were spiked with 50, 100, and
200% extra standard and the mixtures were analyzed by the proposed method. The
experiment was performed in triplicate. Recovery values (%) were calculated for each
concentration.
(d) Detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) limits. In order to estimate the limit of
detection and limit of quantification, the blank sample was injected six times and the
peak area of this blank was calculated (the noise level was determined). The limit of de-
tection was calculated to be three times the noise level, and ten times the noise value gave
the limit of quantification (250 and 400 ng/ml for T and TA, respectively).
(e) Sample solution stability. The stability of T/TA in solution during analysis was deter-
mined by repeated analysis of the samples during the course of experimentation on the
same day and also after storage of the drug solution for 72 h under laboratory bench con-
ditions (25 1C) and refrigeration (8 0.5C). An accurately weighed quantity of
vitamin E base and ester was dissolved in methanol to get a final concentration of 10 g/
ml. The solution was subjected to HPLC analysis immediately and after periods of 24,
48, and 72 hr.
(f) System suitability tests. The chromatographic systems used for analyses must pass the
system suitability limits before sample analysis can commence. The capacity factor (K),
injection repeatability (as mentioned under Precision), the tailing factor (t), the theoreti-
cal plate number (N) and the resolution (Rs) for the principal peak were tested on a
10-g/ml sample of the T and TA mixture to assess the accuracy and precision of the
developed HPLC system.
(g) Analysis of vitamin E in lab and marketed cosmetic creams. Two creams (formu-
lated in the lab) each containing about 0.5% T or TA, as well as four commercial
creams, viz., A, B, C, and D containing only TA, were analyzed after being extracted
by the following method: Five hundred milligrams of each of the preparations was
weighed out, and a small amount of methanol was added for extraction by sonication
( J.P. Selecta s.a, Barcelona, Spain) for 15 min in order to dissolve the vitamin E base
and ester. The mixture was transferred to a 50-ml standard flask and the volume was
made up with methanol. The solution was centrifuged (Sorvall t-c-6, Newtown, CT)
for 10 min at 3700 rpm and was filtered through a 0.45-m filter and analyzed by
HPLC.
(h) Preparation of vitamin E-containing laboratory products. Two creamemulsion cos-
metic formulations were prepared according to the method reported by Zaghloul et al.
(12) to simulate the complex composition of commercial cosmetic preparations, each
containing about 0.5% T/TA (Table I).
The cream was prepared by melting stearic acid in a porcelain dish over a water bath
(7580C), then the semisolid ingredients (lanoline, white soft paraffin, and Captex SBE)
were added until all the mixture was melted, and finally soybean oil and corn oil were
added (oily phase). Potassium hydroxide was dissolved in water followed by Acconon
S-35, and then glycerin and sorbitol were added and the mixture was heated to 7580C
(aqueous phase). The aqueous phase was added to the oily phase with trituration, and the
mixture was then removed from the water bath and mixing was continued until a homog-
enous creamy liquid was obtained. Accurately weighed amounts of T and TA were added
to the mixture, avoiding addition of the vitamin to the cream while hot to avoid possible
 HPLC ANALYSIS OF VITAMIN E IN COSMETICS 357

Table I
General Formula of Laboratory Formulations Containing 0.5% (w/w) of Vitamin E or Vitamin E Acetate
Percent
Ingredient (w/w)
Stearic acid 6
White soft paraffin 4
Lanoline 4
Soybean oil 8.4
Corn oil 8.3
Captex SBE (caprylic/capric/ 4
stearic triglyceride)
Glycerol 11
Sorbitol 15
Acconon S-35 (PEG-35 5
soy glycerides)
Potassium hydroxide 0.28
Water 34.02

degradation. This resulted in nominal concentrations of 0.532% and 0.539% w/w,

respectively. The final cream was filled in well-closed plastic jars.
(i) Commercial cosmetic products. Four commercial products (A, B, C, and D), obtained
from retail pharmacies, were used to validate the proposed analytical HPLC method and
the extraction method. The products contained only TA without declaration of its
quantity.
The commercial and cosmetic preparations were tested for emulsion type by the dilution
method, performed by mixing about 1-g samples of each with about 5 ml of distilled
water and observing them for phase separation. Both experimental formulations and
products A, B, and C were O/W emulsions, while product D was a W/O emulsion.
(j) Method of extraction of vitamin E/acetate from cosmetic products. Initially, isopropyl
alcohol was utilized as the solvent for extraction of T/TA with reference to the method
reported by Guaratini et al. (8). An approximately 500-mg sample of the formulation was
taken in a 50-ml volumetric flask containing 20 ml of isopropyl alcohol. The sample was
extracted by sonication for 20 min and centrifuged at 3700 rpm for 10 min after making
up the volume to 50 ml with isopropyl alcohol. The supernatant samples were filtered
through a 0.45-m cellulose filter and were intended to be used for injection by the re-
ported HPLC method.
Further trials were run using n-hexane-methanol (1:9 v/v) as the extraction solvent
(method 1) or 100% methanol (method 2). In each method, a 500-mg sample of the for-
mulation was extracted similarly as that described above under the extraction method by
isopropanol. The supernatant of the extracts was filtered through a 0.45-m cellulose
filter and was found to be clear; it was therefore used for injection. The extraction meth-
ods differ basically in the polarity of the extraction solvent system. The relative extraction
efficiency of both methods was assessed in terms of the percent recovery before and after
addition of a known quantity (2.5 g) of T and TA to 500-mg samples of the products.
(k) Statistical analysis. The difference in the mean percent recovery of T and TA from the
cosmetic products with the two methods of extraction was tested for statistical signifi-
cance using a t-test and the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test.
358 JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

METHOD DEVELOPMENT

Methanol-water (97:3 % v/v) was selected as the optimum mobile phase. Under these
conditions the retention time of the vitamin E base and ester were 9.870 0.8 min and
13.240 0.8 min, respectively (Figure 1). The tailing factors of T and TA were 0.93 and
1.0, respectively.

METHOD VALIDATION

Linearity. The peak area versus drug concentration was plotted to construct a standard curve
of vitamin E base and ester (Figure 2). The polynomial regression for the calibration plots
showed a good linear relationship with a coefficient of correlation of r = 0.9995. The range
of reliable quantification was set at 550 g/ml, as no significant difference was observed in
the slopes of the standard curves in this range. The linear regression data for the calibration
plot is indicative of a good linear relationship between the peak area and the concentration
over a wide range. The correlation coefficient was indicative of high significance.
Precision. Precision was measured in accordance with ICH recommendations (13). Five
consecutive injections of a 10-g/ml solution of T and TA by the proposed method
showed excellent injection repeatability, with RSDs of only 0.66% and 0.56%, respec-
tively. The repeatability of the sample injection was determined as intraday variation,
whereas intermediate precision was determined by measuring interday variation for three
different concentrations. Results from the determination of repeatability, intermediate
precision, and reproducibility are listed in Table II. The low RSD values indicate the re-
peatability and reproducibility of the method.

Figure 1. Sample chromatogram showing tocopherol and tocopherol acetate peaks after 9.8 and 13.2 min-
utes, respectively. RP Waters Symmetry C-18 column; mobile phase: methanol-water, 97:3 %v/v; UV detec-
tion at 290 nm and 283 nm for T and TA, respectively.
 HPLC ANALYSIS OF VITAMIN E IN COSMETICS 359

Figure 2. Calibration curve of vitamin E base (tocopherol) and ester (tocopherol acetate); RP Waters Sym-
metry C-18 column; mobile phase: methanol-water, 97:3 %v/v; UV detection at 290 nm and 283 nm for T
and TA, respectively.

Table II
Intra- and Interday Precision Data of the Analytical Method for Tocopherol and Tocopherol Acetate Based
on Prepared and Found Concentrations (mean %RSD) (n=5)
Tocopherol Tocopherol acetate
Intraday analysis Interday analysis Intraday analysis Interday analysis
Prepared Found conc. Found conc. Found conc. Found conc.
concentration (g/ml), (g/ml), (g/ml), (g/ml),
(g/ml) mean SD RSD mean SD RSD mean SD RSD mean SD RSD
5 4.61 0.07 1.54 5.18 0.08 1.60 5.12 0.14 2.77 5.12 0.11 2.22
10 9.26 0.24 2.61 10.16 0.09 0.90 10.05 0.07 0.73 10.75 0.35 3.24
25 23.7 0.39 1.64 26.16 0.85 3.26 25.00 0.26 1.05 25.62 0.86 3.35

Accuracy, as recovery. The recovery of the method, determined by spiking a previously ana-
lyzed test solution with additional drug standard solution, was found to be in the range
of 97.8101.8% for T and 100.1102.5% for TA. The high recovery (%) and low RSD
(%) values presented in Table III indicate that the method is accurate.
Detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) limits. The limits of detection of T and TA were
found to be 200 and 300 ng/ml respectively, where the drug could be detected without
any noise. The limits of quantification of T and TA were 250 and 400 ng/ml, respectively.
This indicates that the method can be used for detection and quantification of the vitamin
E base and ester over a very wide range of concentrations.
Stability of vitamin solution. There was no significant change in analyte composition (sam-
ple concentration = 10 g/ml) until the end of a period of 72 hr. The mean RSD between
peak areas for the samples stored under refrigeration (8 1C) was found to be 0.90%
360 JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE

Table III
Intraday Accuracy of Tocopherol and Tocopherol Acetate (mean %,RSD) (n = 5)
Tocopherol Tocopherol acetate
Standard Excess added Theoretical Conc. obtained Recovery Conc. obtained Recovery
conc. (g/ml) (g/ml) content (g/ml) (g/ml) RSD (%) (g/ml) RSD (%)
10 5 15 14.68 1.8 97.8 15.3 0.5 102.5
10 10 20 19.54 0.5 97.7 20.3 0.8 101.6
10 20 25 25.49 1.4 101.8 25.04 0.8 100.17

and 3.24% for T and TA, respectively. At laboratory temperature (25 1C), the cor-
responding values were 1.7% and 1.29% for T and TA, respectively, suggesting that the
drug solution can be stored without any degradation for the time interval studied.
System suitability tests. The results of the system suitability tests mentioned in Table IV,
ensure the adequacy of the proposed HPLC method for routine analysis of TA and T. The
precision test and the tailing factor studies show good injection repeatability and peak
symmetry, respectively. The values of capacity factor for ester and base (k 2) indicate
that the peaks are well resolved with respect to the void volume. Also, the theoretical
plate numbers (N 2000) reflect good column efficiency. The resolution value confirms
good separation of the two forms of vitamin E.
Analysis of vitamin E/acetate in lab and marketed creams. A single sharp peak of T/TA was
observed at its respective retention time when a suitably diluted solution of the cream
was injected following extraction. No interaction was observed between T/TA and the
excipients present in the formulae. The vitamin content determined with RSD values less
than 5 % (Table V) indicates the suitability of this method for routine analysis of T and
TA (individually and in combination) in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations.

Table IV
HPLC System Suitability Tests for Tocopherol (T) and Tocopherol Acetate (TA)
Test Tocopherol (T) Tocopherol acetate (TA)
Precision 0.66 0.56
(injection repeatability)
Tailing factor (asymmetry) 0.93 1
Capacity factor (k) 2.72 4.0
Theoretical plate count (N) 2151.68 2765.7
Resolution 4.47 (between T and TA)

Table V
Concentration of Vitamin E (base) and Vitamin E Acetate (ester) in the Laboratory and Commercial
Cosmetic Products
Product Ester/base Concentration (%w/w) SD %RSD
Lab preparation 1 Base 0.57 0.02 3.54
Lab preparation 2 Ester 0.66 0.03 1.54
Commercial cream A Ester 0.107 0.001 0.78
Commercial cream B Ester 0.670 0.019 2.83
Commercial cream C Ester 0.591 0.084 14.25
Commercial cream D Ester 0.579 0.034 5.80
 HPLC ANALYSIS OF VITAMIN E IN COSMETICS 361

Comparison of extraction methods of vitamin E/acetate. Unlike oils, which can be diluted and
injected directly into the HPLC system, vitamin E must be extracted from the sample
matrix (9,14). It was observed during the extraction procedure with isopropanol that the
marketed creams selected in this study showed inevitable precipitation and gave turbid
samples even after filtration. Therefore, the use of isopropyl alcohol as the extraction sol-
vent was discontinued. In addition, it is worthy to mention here that the formulations
studied by Guaratini et al. (8), who applied ispropanol as extraction solvent, were simple
lab gel creams. In contrast, commercial products in general, like those tested in the pres-
ent study, are highly hydrophobic fatty/waxy matrix-based formulations. It was therefore
considered of interest to develop a simple, fast, reproducible, and economical extraction
method for these kinds of hydrophobic preparations, which are very widely available in
the market. The objective was also to have a clear final sample for injection into the
HPLC system as well as to have good extraction efficiency. Therefore, another extraction
solvent system was tried consisting of a hexane-methanol mixture (1:9) (method 1), which
was applied previously by Wielinski and Olszanowski (7) for simultaneous determination
of fat-soluble vitamins in capsules. Initially, a C-18 column (Agilent; Hypersil-ODS; 125
4-mm; 5-m particle size) was used for HPLC analysis by the proposed HPLC method.
The chromatograms obtained for the standards and samples showed sharp peaks of T at
3.5 min and of TA at 4.75 min (Figure 3). However, it was observed that after a period of
approximately four weeks of continuous analysis, the samples injected after extraction
with hexane-methanol frequently blocked the column, as evident by high pressure be-
yond 4000 psi. Also, the retention time started drifting from the originally observed
values of 3.5 min (T) and 4.75 min (TA) to 7 min (T) and 9 min (TA) (Figure 4), and it
was never reproducible. There was peak broadening, and integration and quantification
became difficult, resulting in irreproducible results. It was assumed that the use of hexane
in the extraction solvent would have dissolved some proportions of the hydrophobic waxy

Figure 3. Initial sample chromatogram showing tocopherol and tocopherol acetate peaks after 3.5 and 4.8
minutes, respectively. Agilent RPC-18 column; mobile phase: methanol-water, 97:3 %v/v; UV detection
at 290 nm and 283 nm for T and TA, respectively.
362 JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE

Figure 4. Late sample chromatogram, four weeks after starting analysis, showing tocopherol and tocopherol
acetate peaks after 7.0 and 9.5 minutes, respectively. Agilent RPC-18 column; mobile phase: methanol-
water, 97:3 %v/v; UV detection at 290 nm and 283 nm for T and TA, respectively.

excipients present in the commercial creams, which were not eluted out, eventually caus-
ing irreparable damage to the column.
Hence, based on further literature survey, methanol was tried as the extraction solvent
(method 2), which was previously applied by Huo et al. for extraction of tocopheryl ace-
tate and tocopherols from aquatic organisms and fish feed (6). A new column (Waters;
Symmetry-ODS, 150 4-mm; 5-m particle size) was used, and based on the previous
experience, it was considered necessary to introduce a guard column to prevent any pos-
sible damage to the column and to increase its longevity. Sharp reproducible peaks were
obtained at 9.7 and 13.2 min. for T and TA, respectively (Figure 1). Therefore, all valida-
tion studies and analyses of lab and commercial products were carried out using the same
extraction procedure (method 2) and using the new Waters column. No antioxidant was
added, since the extraction procedure does not include the saponification process (9).
Extraction efficiency with laboratory formulations. The adopted methods of extraction proved to
be efficient for T and TA when laboratory formulations were subjected to HPLC analysis.
This was indicated by high mean recovery values (Table VI). High extraction was achieved
with mean values of 99.87 (method 1) and 97.24% (method 2). The corresponding mean
values determined for TA were 98.54 (method 1) and 97.89 (method 2). This indicates that
either methanol alone (method 2) or with 10% of hexane could selectively extract T and TA
from the laboratory products without an interference from the additives.
Extraction efficiency with the commercial product (C). The commercial product contained only
TA, while no mention of T was indicated under the ingredients. Therefore, the relative ef-
ficiency of both methods of extraction was based on comparison of the found TA concentra-
tion. The observed concentrations of TA were 0.586% and 0.562% with method 1 and
method 2, respectively, with relative standard deviations less than 4.79% (n=4). This indi-
cates that both methods are quite equivalent and that none of the additives in the commer-
cial cosmetic product interfered with the estimation of TA. There was no significant
 HPLC ANALYSIS OF VITAMIN E IN COSMETICS 363

Table VI
Mean Extraction Efficiency of Tocopherol (T) and Tocopherol Acetate (TA) From Experimental Cream
Formulations Based on Nominal and Found Concentrations (mean %RSD) (n=4)
Method 1 Method 2
Nominal Found Recovery Nominal Found Recovery
Vitamin conc. (%) conc. (%) (%) conc. (%) conc. (%) (%)
T 0.5319 0.5312 99.87 0.5319 0.5172 97.24
(4.71) (4.84)
TA 0.5394 0.5315 98.54 0.5394 0.5282 97.89
(1.803) (0.809)

statistical difference between the two investigated methods of extraction as indicated by

t-test (t=0.215 and p=0.834) and the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test ( p=0.814). Fur-
thermore, to further assess the extraction efficiency of method 2, known quantities (2.5 g)
of T and TA were added to a 500-mg sample of the commercial cosmetic product and the
percent recovery of T/TA was estimated. The percent recoveries of T and TA with extrac-
tion method 2 were 99.05% and 96.01%, respectively (Table VII). Since both methods
were of similar extraction efficiency, only method 2 was applied throughout the present
study.
The negative effect of hexane may be avoided by evaporating the solvent mixture and
reconstituting with methanol. However, method 2 remains simpler, needs less pro-
cessing time, and maintains the column's integrity, ultimately with equal extraction
efficiency.
In summary, the advantages of the present method in comparison with the previously
described method by Guaratini et al. (8) include the following: (a) there is simultaneous
determination of both T and TA, which was achieved by modifying the mobile phase
(methanol-water, 97:3 %v/v) instead of pure methanol, (b) the previous method was
tested in a gelcream base that does not resemble the complex nature of commercial
products, containing diverse oily, fatty, and waxy ingredients, (c) the use of isopropanol
as extraction solvent in the reported method (8) was unsuccessful in extraction of T and
TA from the preparations tested in the present study, and (d) other reported methods for
T and TA analysis in dosage forms like tablets, capsules, injctions, etc. (9) were unsuc-
cessful due to the different nature of the matrices compared with cosmetic products.

Table VII
Extraction Efficiency by Methanol (method 2) of Commercial Product (C) after Addition of Known
Amount of Tocopherol (T) and Tocopherol Acetate (TA)
Tocopherol Tocopherol acetate
Found conc., Found conc.,
Nominal mean S.D (% CV), Extraction Nominal mean S.D (% CV), Extraction
conc. (g/ml) n=3 efficiency (%) conc. (g/ml) n=3 efficiency (%)
10 9.905 0.054 (0.55) 99.05 20 19.201 0.44 (2.34) 96.01
364 JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE

CONCLUSIONS
1. The described analytical procedure proved to be accurate, precise, and suitable for
simultaneous determination of T and TA in real commercial cosmetic products.
2. Both tested methods of extraction proved to be accurate and precise and statistically
indifferent for the extraction of T and TA in cosmetic preparations.
3. Methanol alone (method 2) is equally as efficient as a mixture of methanol with 10%
hexane (method 1) in terms of extraction efficiency.
4. Method 2 is simpler and less time-consuming.
5. Method 2 maintains column integrity and thus is more suitable for routine determi-
nation of T and TA in cosmetic preparations.
6. The use of highly non-polar solvents, e.g., hexane, should be avoided unless the ex-
tract is evaporated, reconstituted with methanol, and centrifuged before injection into
the HPLC column.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This work was supported by Kuwait University, Research Grant No. [PP01/05]. The
authors appreciate the sincere efforts of Dr. F. Bandarkar, Mrs. E. Abraham, Mr. S.
Abraham, and Mrs. D. Nabil, as well as those of Mrs. L. Varghese and Mrs. A. Thomas.

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