These are constituents extracted from the bark of trees that grow in the southwest of France. Depending on the method of extraction, the substance is divided into “pycnogenol” and “flavangenol.” A combination of a number of types of polyphenols, this constituent has powerful antioxidant effects that are said to be several hundreds of times stronger than those of substances such as vitamin E and C. As well as antioxidant effects, this substance also features skin-beautifying effects comprising promotion of the production of collagen and suppression of collagenese (an enzyme that breaks down collagen) and tyrosinase activities.