Urolithin A

Urolithin A is an antioxidant-rich natural compound produced when microbes inside the gut break down foods rich in ellagic acid, such as pomegranates, nuts and many types of berries. Ellagic acid is a polyphenol antioxidant. Its metabolite, urolithin A, also has antioxidant benefits, backed by studies showing it has potent free radical-scavenging abilities. Even more promising is research demonstrating that it can enhance skin longevity by preventing cell senescence. Cell senescence is one of the key biomarkers of aging. It’s a process where cells stop dividing and start sending inflammatory messages to nearby, healthy cells. Premature cell senescence increases skin’s biological age, resulting in the well-known signs of aging including wrinkles, discolorations and skin losing its ability to repair itself. Studies demonstrate urolithin A can mitigate the effects of senescence, including that caused by UVA radiation, which is a leading cause of skin aging and a contributor to every type of skin cancer. Additional research indicates that urolithin A may work by increasing removal of damaged mitochondria (mitophagy) and improving mitochondrial health. This leads to re-energizing the cells to reducing the breakdown of collagen and prolonging skin health. More research is needed, but urolithin A shows a lot of potential in becoming an anti-aging ingredient to watch. Urolithin-A may be plant-derived or synthetic. The research-supported use level of this ingredient in cosmetics is 1%.

Related ingredients: Ellagic Acid