antioxidants ●
TL;DR. This is a functional category used to slow rancidity, color shift, scent degradation, and loss of potency by reacting with oxygen-derived species or free radicals in a formula.
What does antioxidants do in a cosmetic formula?
This is a functional category used to slow rancidity, color shift, scent degradation, and loss of potency by reacting with oxygen-derived species or free radicals in a formula.
Is antioxidants clean?
Clean-beauty standing depends on the exact material, since some options are well-tolerated and widely accepted while others have tighter brand restrictions due to sensitization, impurity, or synthetic-processing concerns.
Is antioxidants sustainable?
Sustainability depends on sourcing, with some options coming from plant oils, fermentation, or nature-identical manufacture, and others from petrochemical routes. Biodegradability and aquatic profile also vary by the specific molecule and its use level.
Is antioxidants COSMOS-approved?
This is not a single assessable substance, so COSMOS status depends on the exact listed material and how it is made. Plant-derived and approved nature-identical options can align well with Green Chemistry, while some synthetic choices have weaker alignment or are not permitted in certified formulas.
How does antioxidants work chemically?
Chemically, members of this category commonly donate hydrogen atoms or electrons to interrupt radical chain reactions, or they support formula stability by reducing oxidative stress in the oil or water phase. Typical use levels are often about 0.01 to 1%, with performance shaped by pH, light, air exposure, metal ions, packaging, and co-formulation with chelators.
Last updated 2026-05-13