8 ingredients
Antioxidant
Explore all 8 ingredients in the Antioxidant category. Learn about their benefits and find products that contain them.
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Ascorbyl palmitate is a synthetic, fat-soluble ester of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and palmitic acid, first commercialised in the 1960s as an antioxidant in food and pharmaceuticals. Unlike pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), it is oil-soluble and stable at neutral pH, making it easier to formulate into creams and emulsions. It acts by neutralising free radicals and binding to cell membranes to protect lipids from oxidative damage, though evidence for its conversion into active vitamin C within skin is limited.
Learn more →Tocopherol
Tocopherol is the INCI name for Vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant that occurs naturally in human skin. It works by neutralising free radicals generated by UV exposure and environmental pollution, protecting cell membranes and lipids from oxidative damage. It also has emollient properties that help reinforce the skin barrier and retain moisture.
Learn more →Tocopheryl Acetate
Tocopheryl acetate is the esterified, stabilised form of vitamin E and the most widely used vitamin E derivative in cosmetics. It functions as an antioxidant by neutralising free radicals caused by UV exposure and environmental pollution, helping to protect the skin barrier from oxidative damage. Compared to pure tocopherol, it has a longer shelf life in formulations but is absorbed more slowly through the skin.
Learn more →Ubiquinone
Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10, CoQ10) is a fat-soluble organic compound naturally present in every human cell, where it plays a central role in mitochondrial energy production. When applied topically, it penetrates into the upper layers of the skin and acts as a potent antioxidant, neutralising free radicals generated by UV exposure and environmental aggressors. Skin levels of ubiquinone decline with age, making topical supplementation a useful strategy for supporting the skin's natural antioxidant defences.
Learn more →Tocotrienols
Tocotrienols are a family of compounds belonging to the vitamin E group, alongside tocopherols. They are found naturally in palm oil, rice bran, and certain grains, and are distinguished from tocopherols by their unsaturated side chain, which allows them to move more freely within cell membranes and provides superior antioxidant potency. In skincare, they protect skin cells from oxidative stress caused by free radicals, UV exposure, and environmental aggressors, while also modulating inflammatory pathways and supporting collagen synthesis.
Learn more →Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenol antioxidant found primarily in red grape skins and seeds, as well as in berries and Japanese knotweed. It works by neutralising free radicals generated by UV exposure and environmental pollution, protecting skin cells from oxidative damage and reducing inflammation at a cellular level. It is also studied for its anticarcinogenic properties and ability to support skin barrier integrity.
Learn more →Ferulic Acid
Ferulic acid is a naturally occurring phenolic antioxidant found in the cell walls of plants, particularly in the bran of grasses such as rice, wheat, and oats. It works by neutralising free radicals caused by UV exposure and environmental pollution, protecting skin cells from oxidative damage. It is best known in skincare for its ability to dramatically stabilise and enhance the efficacy of vitamins C and E when combined in a formulation.
Learn more →EUK-134 (Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride)
Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride (commonly known as EUK-134) is a synthetic, manganese-based molecule that mimics the activity of two natural skin enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. Unlike typical antioxidants that neutralise a single free radical, EUK-134 operates catalytically — it converts superoxide radicals into hydrogen peroxide and then breaks that hydrogen peroxide down into harmless water and oxygen. This dual-action cycle allows a small concentration to provide ongoing protection against oxidative stress.
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