The ingredient, explained

Gallic Acid

A primary study examines this ingredient in the specified preparation and setting.

Antioxidant

Explore connections

Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

3‚4,5-Trihydroxybenzoic acid

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

Antioxidant: Limits oxidation, including deterioration of formulation ingredients. This label alone does not show a clinical antioxidant effect in skin.

Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗

Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.

A closer look

What the research shows

Human research on a combination

Three-active formulation improved acne severity over eight weeks, as did benzoyl-peroxide comparison treatments.

What this does not tell us

Title calls study retrospective while abstract says random division. Design recorded unknown. Mixture effect, no isolated gallic-acid benefit and no inactive vehicle.

Sources for this summary. PubMed 32390309 ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Bounded review of local candidates, exact-name indexed primary journal/PubMed safety and topical searches; not a systematic review.

Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.