Vitamin E TPGS (d-alpha tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate) is a water-soluble form of vitamin E derived from natural sources. Vitamin E TPGS is prepared by the esterification of polyethylene glycol 1000 to the acid group of crystalline d-alpha tocopheryl acid succinate.

Because vitamin E TPGS is water soluble, while other forms of vitamin E are fat soluble, TPGS is absorbed by a different mechanism.  Fat soluble vitamin E requires the presence of bile salts in the gut for absorption from the intestinal lumen through the intestinal cells. Vitamin E TPGS is absorbed without the need for bile salts activity.  TPGS has the ability of transferring vitamin E into the intestinal cells with no need of assistance.