Flavonoids are a class of polyphenol. In plants, their main role is to help defend the plant against environmental stressors like UV radiation, sudden temperature change and other such potential threats. Though 4,000+ types of flavonoids have been identified so far, only a relative few have actually been subject to study. This is exciting for the skincare world since undiscovered possibilities = more prospectively valuable ingredients for your skin.
Despite there being so many types of flavonoids, there are a few varieties that stand out above the rest. These are: flavonols and anthocyanins. Flavonols are a variety of flavonoids with potent antioxidant properties. They are the most recurring type of flavonoid found in the foods we enjoy everyday like black and green tea, green leafy vegetables, onions, broccoli, apples, plums and berries. Anthocyanins, on the other hand, are predominantly found in red and black grapes, blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, bilberries and red wine. Both flavonols and anthocyanins are anti-inflammatory and help to defend the body’s cells from environmental stressors like pollution, and even boost heart health.
When applied to the skin, flavonoids have the useful ability of not just being able to absorb UV rays, but help to regulate the pathways that signals travel down to inform and guide the function of your body’s cells (in essence, the pathways that tell your cells what to do). The result of this is a reduction in the damage that stems from photoaging.
Since they are bursting with antioxidants, flavonoids are great free radical neutralizers thanks to their anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory powers. Especially when incorporated into anti-aging skincare products, they can help to promote overall radiance and soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles – assets that can be further attributed to their role in slowing the degradation of collagen. Hello, younger skin!
Want to discover more about the power of antioxidants? Read our post for more information to find out exactly What Are Antioxidants? and how they can boost your youth. If you’re interested in reading more about polyphenols, look no further than our previous article What Are Polyphenols?