How Polyphenols Protect Skin from Aging and Inflammation

Polyphenols In Skin Care Products

Polyphenols in skin care products have many benefits such as anti-inflammatory, skin lightening and antiaging and are found in organic, clean, and natural skin care products.

Phenols is the name of a large group of compounds. You will not see “polyphenol” on skin care product labels, but you will see the ingredient that is a member of the polyphenol compound family as seen in the list below.

List of Types of Polyphenols in Skin Care Products

You will not find polyphenols on skincare product labels because they are a component found in skincare ingredients.

See the table below for a list of classes and categories of polyphenols and which skin care ingredients contain polyphenols.

Polyphenols are a diverse group of naturally occurring compounds found in plants. They can be divided into several classes based on their structural features and the number of phenol rings they contain:

Flavonoids: This is the largest and most studied group of polyphenols. They can be further divided into several subclasses:

Flavonols (e.g., quercetin, kaempferol)

Flavones (e.g., apigenin, luteolin)

Flavanones (e.g., hesperidin, naringenin)

Flavan-3-ols (also known as flavanols; e.g., catechins like those found in green tea, epicatechin)

Anthocyanins (e.g., cyanidin, delphinidin; responsible for the red, blue, and purple colors in many fruits and vegetables)

Isoflavones (e.g., genistein, daidzein; commonly found in soy products)

Phenolic acids: These are divided into two main types:

Hydroxybenzoic acids (e.g., gallic acid, vanillic acid)

Hydroxycinnamic acids (e.g., caffeic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid)

Polyphenolic amides:

Examples include capsaicinoids in chili peppers and avenanthramides in oats.

Lignans: They are found in seeds, particularly flaxseeds, as well as in grains and vegetables.

Examples: secoisolariciresinol, matairesinol

Stilbenes: Resveratrol, found in grapes and red wine, is the most well-known compound in this class.

Other polyphenols: There are other polyphenolic compounds that don’t fit neatly into the above categories, like ellagitannins and ellagic acid, often found in berries.

Polyphenol Classification Table

To find skincare products or supplements that contain polyphenols, look for the ingredients in the Polyphenol Table above.

Polyphenol Benefits for Health

Polyphenols are found in supplements, skin care products, drinks, and foods. They are good for your health for many reasons. They are one of the reasons that a plant-based diet is so healthy.

Polyphenols offer a plethora of additional benefits for both skin and overall health:

For the Skin:

Photo-protection: Some polyphenols can protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, reducing the risk of sunburn and premature skin aging.

Anti-aging: Polyphenols can prevent the degradation of elastin and collagen, proteins essential for maintaining skin’s elasticity and firmness.

Skin Hydration: They can enhance skin hydration, contributing to a healthier skin appearance.

Wound Healing: Certain polyphenols can promote wound healing through various mechanisms, including antimicrobial action and support of the skin’s natural regeneration process.

Skin Brightening: They can inhibit melanogenesis, thereby reducing the appearance of dark spots and improving overall skin tone.

For Overall Health:

Cardiovascular Health: Polyphenols, especially those found in green tea and red wine, can improve blood vessel function, reduce blood pressure, and decrease LDL cholesterol oxidation.

Anti-cancer Properties: Some polyphenols may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer by inhibiting cancer cell growth and metastasis.

Brain Health: They can protect neurons, potentially reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Gut Health: Polyphenols can influence the gut microbiota composition, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria.

Blood Sugar Regulation: Certain polyphenols can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Bone Health: Some studies suggest that polyphenols may promote bone health by stimulating the growth of bone-forming cells and inhibiting the growth of cells that break down bone.

Anti-microbial Properties: They can inhibit the growth of certain pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

Weight Management: Some polyphenols, like those in green tea, can boost metabolism and fat oxidation, aiding in weight management.

Trans-resveratrol and Cis-resveratrol

Polyphenols in Skin Care Creams and Serums

What are polyphenols good for?

They are used to neutralize free radicals and calm and soothe skin.

Polyphenols are considered protective skin care ingredients so are best to use in your morning skin care routine.

They have antiaging and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Polyphenol Antioxidant Benefits for Skin

Polyphenols neutralize free radicals and are considered antioxidants. This is why they are found in antiaging skin care products.

Here is a list of skin care ingredients that contain polyphenols that are antioxidants. To find skin care products that contain these polyphenols, click on the individual ingredients.

Green Tea Extract (Camellia sinensis): Especially rich in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a potent flavonoid.

Grape Seed Extract (Vitis vinifera): Contains proanthocyanidins, which offer strong antioxidant benefits.

Resveratrol: Found in grapes, red wine, and certain berries, this is a powerful antioxidant with anti-aging benefits.

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana): Contains tannins, which exhibit antioxidant properties.

Pomegranate Extract (Punica granatum): Rich in ellagic acid and other antioxidant compounds.

Rosemary Extract (Rosmarinus officinalis): Contains rosmarinic acid and other antioxidant compounds.

Ferulic Acid: Often found in seeds of fruits like oranges and apples, and in some vegetables, nuts, and grains.

Silymarin: Extracted from milk thistle, it’s renowned for its antioxidant and skin-calming properties.

Soy Extract: Contains isoflavones, which have antioxidant and skin-soothing effects.

Cocoa Extract (Theobroma cacao): Contains flavanols that offer antioxidant benefits.

Rooibos Tea Extract (Aspalathus linearis): Rich in flavonoids and beneficial for skin soothing and antioxidant effects.

Licorice Root Extract (Glycyrrhiza glabra): Contains flavonoids with antioxidant and skin-soothing properties.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa): Contains curcumin, which has pronounced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

White Tea Extract: Similar to green tea but processed differently; it contains potent polyphenols.

Coffee Berry Extract: A significant source of polyphenols, especially chlorogenic acid, with potent antioxidant properties.

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita or Chamaemelum nobile): Known for its skin-soothing and antioxidant-rich flavonoids.

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Polyphenol Antiaging Benefits for Skin

One of the primary ways polyphenols combat skin aging is by neutralizing free radicals. These unstable molecules, which arise from factors like UV radiation, pollution, and internal metabolic processes, can cause oxidative stress, leading to cellular damage. Over time, such damage manifests as wrinkles, fine lines, and discoloration, hallmarks of aged skin.

The antioxidant polyphenols used most often in antiaging skin care are green tea, genistein, pycnogenol, and phloretin.

Anti-inflammatory Benefits of Polyphenols

Polyphenols are anti-inflammatory ingredients and are soothing so they are used in the best creams for rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, and other creams to soothe dermatitis and treat skin inflammation.

Polyphenols found in skincare that soothe inflamed skin include the cosmetic ingredients oatmeal, caffeic acid, chamomile, and witch hazel.

Inflammation does more than just cause sensitive skin, it also contributes to skin aging. Polyphenols play a crucial role in reducing inflammation. Chronic skin inflammation can accelerate the aging process by breaking down collagen, a protein essential for skin elasticity and firmness, leading to sagging and wrinkling.

By calming inflammation, polyphenols help preserve the skin’s structural integrity, promoting a youthful appearance.

Skin Lightening Benefits of polyphenols

The skin lightening polyphenols found in skincare include pycnogenol, and ferulic acid.

They prevent the production of the skin pigment melanin by calming the inflammation that leads to an increase of the skin pigment melanin.

Best Polyphenols in Skin Care Products

Polyphenols are a family of thousands of chemical substances found in plants and many are good in skin care products. The polyphenol with the most evidence-based research and most compelling data that shows benefits is green tea and the four polyphenolic catechins in green tea:

ECG [(-)EpiCatechin-3-O-Gallate]

GCG [(-)GalloCatechin-3-O-Gallate]

EGCG [(-)EpiG-alloCatechin-3-O-Gallate]- This is the strongest of these green tea derived polyphenols.

EGC [(-)EpiGalloCatechin]

Skin Creams and Serums with Polyphenols

When evaluating skincare creams and serums with polyphenols, you need to know which polyphenols are in the product and what percent of polyphenols are in the product. Unfortunately, this information is not on the product label.

Let us help you find the best skin creams and serums for your skin type. There are 16 skin types!

16 Bauman Skin Types

All you have to do is take the skin care routine quiz, and we will give you a custom skin care routine and skin care products from many different medical grade skincare brands for you to choose from.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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