Antioxidant

Components with this function help slow down oxidative processes in the formula and on the surface of the skin or hair. In cosmetics, they bind free radicals and reduce the risk of lipid damage, which can cause the product to lose stability faster, change odor, color, and effectiveness. For the skin, such substances are especially valuable in care aimed at protecting against external factors: ultraviolet radiation, air pollution and other sources of oxidative stress. The European CosIng database classifies antioxidant as an official cosmetic ingredient, while PubChem describes tocopherol as a substance with pronounced antioxidant properties. (single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu)

In care products, such ingredients help maintain a more comfortable skin condition, and in hair products, they reduce oxidative damage associated with dryness, dullness, and brittleness. At the same time, their role is often twofold: they work not only "for the skin", but also for the formula itself, protecting oils and other sensitive components from rancidity and premature decay. Therefore, they can be found in serums, creams, oils, balms, and sunscreen products. (pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Typical examples are Tocopherol and BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole). Tocopherol, known as a form of vitamin E, is widely used as an antioxidant and at the same time as a component that helps protect the lipid part of the formula. BHA is also used to inhibit oxidation, primarily in cosmetic formulations themselves; this is confirmed by CosIng data and materials from the European Commission for Safety Assessment. (pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)