Py
Pycnogenol (Pine Bark Extract)
Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract · Pinus Pinaster ExtractAntioxidant
Procyanidin-rich pine bark extract. Antioxidant with circulatory and anti-redness reputation.
What it does
Pycnogenol (a trade name for a specific French maritime pine bark extract) carries procyanidins, catechins, and phenolic acids with strong antioxidant activity. Oral supplementation has more evidence than topical use; topical application is usually as a supportive antioxidant in serum formulations. Often paired with vitamin C and ferulic acid in higher-end antioxidant serums.
The evidence, graded
moderateAntioxidants neutralize free radicals generated by the UV that gets through sunscreen. Layering an antioxidant serum under SPF compounds photoprotection.Wu 2011 · Clinical and Experimental Dermatology ↗
emergingVitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid show synergistic photoprotection. The combination is more stable and doubles photoprotection compared to vitamin C alone.Lin 2005 · Journal of Investigative Dermatology ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
Also known as
pine bark extract
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