Tannins

Tannins are natural compounds that have been part of traditional medicine for centuries and today hold a prominent place in the most advanced aesthetic medicine treatments. Their ability to protect, regenerate and improve the skin makes them one of the most valued ingredients in modern cosmetics and dermatology.

What are tannins?

Tannins are plant-based substances belonging to the polyphenol group. They are complex molecules with a distinctive property: their ability to bind to proteins and other organic molecules, forming stable bonds that allow them to act on living tissues in a precise and long-lasting way. There are two main families of tannins:

• Hydrolysable tannins, which break down easily on contact with water and are well absorbed through the skin.
• Condensed tannins or proanthocyanidins, which have a more resistant structure and a powerful antioxidant action.

Although the name may sound technical, tannins are compounds that many people have experienced without knowing it: they are responsible for the dry, rough sensation in the mouth when drinking a glass of red wine, eating a pomegranate or having a strong cup of tea.

Where do they come from?

Tannins are found naturally in a wide variety of plants, fruits and bark. Some of the richest sources used in aesthetic medicine include:

• Grapes and grape seeds, particularly abundant in high-potency antioxidant proanthocyanidins.
• Green and black tea, two of the most studied sources for their beneficial effects on the skin.
• Pomegranate, whose skin concentrates an exceptional amount of hydrolysable tannins.
• Oak and chestnut, whose bark has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its astringent and healing properties.
• Witch hazel, a plant widely used in dermatology for its soothing and regulating action.
• Cocoa, which in addition to tannins provides other bioactive compounds of cosmetic interest.

This diversity of sources makes it possible to obtain extracts with very different action profiles, making them easy to adapt to different skin types and treatments.

Why are they important in aesthetic medicine?

Tannins stand out in aesthetic medicine for a combination of properties that are rarely found together in a single natural compound:

• Astringent and pore-refining action: tannins have the ability to contract tissues and reduce the visible size of pores, resulting in skin that looks more even, smooth and refined. This property makes them particularly useful in treatments for oily or acne-prone skin.
• Powerful antioxidant effect: tannins neutralise free radicals, the main cause of premature skin ageing. By reducing oxidative stress in the skin, they help preserve its firmness, radiance and elasticity over time.
• Anti-inflammatory capacity: their action on inflammatory mediators makes tannins effective allies against redness, irritation and chronic inflammatory conditions such as rosacea or dermatitis.
• Antimicrobial effect: tannins inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi on the skin, making them useful both in the treatment of acne and in the prevention of mild skin infections.
• Collagen stimulation: some tannins, particularly those derived from grapes and pomegranate, promote the synthesis of collagen and elastin, contributing to skin firmness and rejuvenation from within.
• Regulation of sebum production: by acting on the sebaceous glands, they help balance oil production, reducing shine and improving texture in combination and oily skin types.

Tannins represent one of the most solid bets in today’s cosmetics and aesthetic medicine: natural compounds, backed by science and with a versatility of action that is hard to match. Whether in creams, serums, peels or professional treatments, their presence in a product formulation is always a sign of quality and efficacy.

Aging

Firmness

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