Ingredient Encyclopedia

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Discover what’s inside your skincare — from retinol to aloe vera — with clear guides on benefits, uses, and safety.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Ellagic Acid – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Ellagic Acid ($C_{14}H_{6}O_{8}$) is a naturally occurring polyphenol antioxidant that provides a "barrier-first" approach to skin brightening. Found in high concentrations in pomegranates and berries, it serves a dual purpose: it acts as a tyrosinase inhibitor to help regulate melanin production and functions as a powerful scavenger of free radicals. Unlike more aggressive acids, Ellagic Acid doesn’t rely on exfoliating the skin’s surface; instead, it provides an oxidative buffer, neutralizing the environmental stressors (like UV and pollution) that signal the skin to produce excess pigment. This makes it an ideal choice for stabilizing uneven tone and fading post-blemish marks without the risk of "inflammatory rebound."