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Received: 3 June 2019    Accepted: 12 July 2019

DOI: 10.1111/jocd.13093

REVIEW ARTICLE

Polyphenols as natural antioxidants in cosmetics applications

Débora Jackeline de Lima Cherubim MSc1  | Cleide Viviane Buzanello Martins PhD2 |

Luciana Oliveira Fariña PhD1 | Rosemeire Aparecida da Silva de Lucca PhD1,2

1
Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Center, Western Paraná State University,
Cascavel, Brazil
2
Engineering and Exact Sciences
Center, Western Paraná State University,
Toledo, Brasil
Correspondence
Rosemeire Aparecida da Silva de Lucca,
Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná –
UNIOESTE, Rua da Faculdade, 645 ‐ Jardim
La Salle, Toledo, Paraná 85903‐000, Brasil.
Email: roselucca@gmail.com
Funding information
Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de
Pessoal de Nível Superior
Abstract
Background: Currently, there is a great interest in cosmetics prepared on natural
resources bases and this may restrict the use of synthetic substances. Plants play
a relevant role as a source of biologically active natural products with cosmetic and
dermatological importance. According to this context, polyphenolic extracts are
highlighted because they have proven antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐aging, an‐
timicrobial, and supporting activity in solar photoprotection.
Aims: The purpose this study were reviewed at reporting the antioxidant activity of
phenolic compounds, mainly applied to dermatological therapy, and highlighting the
action mechanisms and structure‐activity relationship.
Methodology: In September 2017, we performed a literature search in PubMed and
Scielo for scientific researches, antioxidant studies, and systemic reviews. The search
terms we used were “PHYTOCOSMETICS” AND “ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY” OR
“PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS” (from 2000). As inclusion criteria were used relevant
original articles, scientific research in the area of interest, and crucial reference ar‐
ticles. Exclusion criteria were: duplicate publications, non‐relevant articles and not
published in English.
Results: The potential cosmetic application of phenolic compounds as natural anti‐
oxidants has been attributed to the chemical structure of these compounds, which to
interfere in different phases of the oxidation mechanism.
Conclusion: The use of phenolic extracts emerges as a viable alternative for cosmetic
application, ensuring a commitment to sustainability. However, it is of crucial impor‐
tance to evaluate the toxicity risks of raw materials and finished products.

KEYWORDS
antioxidant activity, cosmetics, polyphenols

1 |  I NTRO D U C TI O N as a prophylactic measure, resulting in normal production of struc‐

Reactive oxygen species take part in several degenerative processes
1
to the organism. Epidemiological and experimental studies have
provided an effective evidence of a critical association between
free radicals and the development of early aging. 2,3
Some applied
antioxidants are able to block the harmful effects of free radicals
tural proteins of the skin.1,4 Polyphenolic compounds are substances
widely distributed in nature, related to the plant survival and its spe‐
cies perpetuation. Several studies associated the chemical structure
of phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity. Phenolic nucleus
presence acts out as an efficient sensor of reactive species, which
also reduces and chelates ferric ions that catalyze lipid peroxidation.5

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2019;00:1–5. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. |  1

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