Antioxidant

Tropolone

Reviewed by Emma · Last updated 14 Aug 2026

Organic compound that can be derived from plants Has antioxidant properties

Best For Skin Types

All skin types

Usage Frequency

As directed on product packaging

What Is Tropolone?

Tropolone is an organic compound that can be derived from plants. It does have some antioxidant properties but is of most interest to cosmetic chemists as a preservative. Studies have shown tropolone has antimicrobial abilities, specifically the ability to combat bacterial and fungal growth. In its raw form, tropolone is a pale-yellow solid. Tropolone is usually combined with more broad-spectrum preservatives such as phenoxyethanol, where the blend is used in amounts up to 1%.

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