Polyphenols is a term used to classify a large family of antioxidants that includes approximately 4,000 different compounds. These chemicals can be found in foods like grapes, pomegranates, green tea, and even red wine. They are powerful for fighting illness and disease when included in your diet. To boot, when applied topically, the benefits of polyphenols can help to repair damaged skin and restore elasticity to prematurely aging skin. Foods with polyphenols can support healthy aging. If looking younger is what you want, you can also read about progeline.

Here are just a few polyphenols sources found in food:

Pomegranate

The polyphenols contained in the pomegranate include significant amounts of tannins, anthocyanins, and ellagic acid. Read more about pomegranate extract benefits.

The anti-aging benefits of pomegranate have been clinically shown to include a photoprotective effect on skin cells. In one study, skin that was treated with pomegranate-derived products showed less collagen loss and skin protein breakdown. This may help to maintain elasticity of youthful skin.^1,2

Another way pomegranate polyphenols help to protect aging skin is by facilitating skin repair and promoting new skin cell regeneration for anti-aging effects.

One study showed that cosmeceuticals (cosmetics + natural pharmaceuticals) containing pomegranate extracts were effective in stimulating the production of type I procollagen, and inhibiting collagen breakdown in skin cells.³

Further studies revealed that oral administration of one polyphenol compound from pomegranate, ellagic acid, was able to reduce hyperpigmentation caused by UV rays on the skin.⁴ 

Ellagic acid was also shown to inhibit wrinkle formation and skin inflammation caused by exposure to UV rays.⁵

Cranberry

This familiar fruit contains polyphenols, including flavonols and proanthocyanidins. These powerful chemical compounds are well known to offer anti-aging effects to the skin caused by free radicals. What is a free radical? Free radicals are unstable molecules in the body, produced as a byproduct of environmental toxins, exercise and UV rays. These molecules are unstable because they are missing one electron. For this reason, they are harmful to the body, as they will steal an electron from elsewhere in the body to regain balance.

Able to reduce oxidative stress both inside and outside of cells, the polyphenols found in cranberry extract may help to slow sun-accelerated skin aging.^6,7

The polyphenol antioxidants willingly donate the missing electron to free radicals, stabilizing them and eliminating the oxidation they cause which damages the body.

Grape Seed Extract

This extract contains highly concentrated antioxidant compounds, including flavonoids. One of the most notable antioxidants found in grape seed extract includes resveratrol. This compound is also found in the skin of red grapes, and it is the active health boosting ingredient in red wine. Other antioxidants in grape seed extract include a rare form of proanthocyanidins called OPCs (Oligomeric Proanthocyanidin Complexes).⁸

OPCs are powerful plant-derived compounds known to destroy free radical molecules in the skin. They reduce the risk of damage to healthy cells and genetic material (DNA), which can speed premature aging.

Clinical studies have confirmed the ability of resveratrol, derived from grape seed extract, to protect skin cells from cellular breakdown caused by ultraviolet (UV) oxidation. This photoprotective property has been confirmed by clinical research to help prevent premature aging caused by free radicals.⁹

Other studies have suggested that the protective action of resveratrol in human skin is due to the binding of specific polyphenol antioxidants within the epidermis (top layer of skin) and thus may be helpful in reducing the risk of developing age associated skin disorders.¹⁰

Additionally, clinical studies have shown that grape seed extracts were able improve blood flow and circulation, which may help to maintain the rosy tone of youthful skin.^11,12

The natural antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties of the oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs) may help to reduce common skin problems, including recurrent redness or breakouts.¹³

Green Tea

Also known as Camellia sinensis, this popular beverage works wonders on aging skin – not just inside, but outside, too! Green tea leaves contain polyphenols called catechins which include catechin, gallocatechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and epigallocatechin gallate – the most recognized of all the polyphenols in green tea, known as EGCG.¹⁴

While the antioxidants provided by green tea are powerful free radical scavengers, that is not all the polyphenols green tea can offer. In one study, researchers found that green tea extract in cosmetics not only significantly improved skin elasticity, but also increased moisture levels when applied topically to the skin of participants. Skin smoothness and prolonged moisturization were also observed.¹⁵

The polyphenolic compounds present in green tea also provide natural anti-inflammatory effects to the skin. When applied topically, these compounds may help address many different inflammatory conditions of the skin, including acne, dermatitis, and rosacea.¹⁶

Additionally, the polyphenols in green tea are known to offer photoprotection from solar ultraviolet radiation that can cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage – all precursors to premature aging.^{17, 18}

Disclosure: The GundryMD team creates these articles as a way to provide you with the latest information on health and nutrition. Unfortunately, we cannot make specific product recommendations for our website visitors, such as “Vital Reds” or “gundry md dark spot diminisher” Please consult with your healthcare provider to determine the best products for you.