Hydroxytyrosol ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is used mainly as an antioxidant and skin-conditioning active, helping limit oxidation in formulas while supporting antioxidant claims on skin.
What does Hydroxytyrosol do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is used mainly as an antioxidant and skin-conditioning active, helping limit oxidation in formulas while supporting antioxidant claims on skin.
Is Hydroxytyrosol clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is generally well regarded, with no major restricted-list profile and low sensitization concern at typical cosmetic levels. As with many phenolic antioxidants, higher levels can be irritating for some skin types, so dosage matters.
Is Hydroxytyrosol sustainable?
This material is commonly sourced from olive-derived streams, including byproducts from olive oil processing, which can support lower-waste supply chains. It is a small, biodegradable organic molecule with low persistence concerns.
Is Hydroxytyrosol COSMOS-approved?
It can fit COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic formulations when obtained from natural feedstocks through approved extraction, purification, or enzymatic processing. Its Green Chemistry profile is strongest when it comes from upcycled plant material and uses lower-impact solvents or water-based processing.
How does Hydroxytyrosol work chemically?
The molecule is a small phenolic antioxidant with a catechol ring system and an alcohol group, which gives it strong radical-scavenging behavior and good compatibility with water-alcohol systems. It is typically used at low levels, often around 0.01% to 0.1%, and is best protected from excess air, light, and high-pH conditions because phenolic groups can oxidize and discolor.
Last updated 2026-05-15