Antioxidant ·
Pycnogenol
What is it?
Pycnogenol is a standardized extract from French maritime pine bark, rich in procyanidins and phenolic acids, used as an antioxidant ingredient primarily via oral supplementation in skin-health contexts.
What does it do?
Commonly used as an oral antioxidant supplement to support skin health, rather than as a topical ingredient. Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover trials found oral Pycnogenol intake improved skin physiological parameters in outdoor workers exposed to environmental stress, and improved skin elasticity/hydration in postmenopausal women alongside increased collagen type I and hyaluronic acid synthase gene expression.
Real products containing this
Sources
Sources
- Oral Pycnogenol Intake Benefits the Skin in Urban Chinese Outdoor Workers: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, and Crossover Intervention Study
- Pycnogenol effects on skin elasticity and hydration coincide with increased gene expressions of collagen type I and hyaluronic acid synthase in women
This page provides general skincare information and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Ingredient interactions and evidence summaries reflect published, cited sources — not a personal assessment of your skin. For medical skin conditions, rashes, pregnancy/lactation questions or persistent concerns, please consult a licensed dermatologist or HPCSA-registered practitioner.