Spin Trap
Phenyl butyl nitrone, a lab-developed antioxidant that traps free radicals; used in antioxidant serums to help counter oxidative stress from UV and pollution.
spin trap, phenyl t-butylnitrone, phenyl butyl nitrone, PBN, N-tert-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone
Ageing skin · Dull skin
What it does
Spin trap is the common name for phenyl t-butylnitrone (PBN), a synthetic compound first used in laboratories to capture and study free radicals. In skincare it is used as an antioxidant, trapping free radicals before they can damage the skin. It helps defend against the oxidative stress from UV and pollution that contributes to visible ageing.
How it works
Rather than donating an electron, as vitamins C and E do, spin trap reacts with a free radical and binds it into a much more stable compound, helping to stop the chain reaction that damages lipids, proteins and collagen. The evidence in skin is still limited, so it is best seen as one part of a broad antioxidant formula, worn in the morning beneath SPF.
MG says
Look for spin trap in CosMedix Elite Pepoxide, which combines it with astaxanthin, superoxide dismutase and 13 other antioxidants to help protect against oxidative stress and pollution. It also features in CosMedix Elite Eye Doctor, alongside retinol.
Cautions
Spin trap is generally well tolerated. It usually comes in multi-active formulas, so follow the guidance for their other actives: CosMedix Elite Eye Doctor and Elite X-Age also contain retinol, which should be avoided during pregnancy. Antioxidants support daily SPF but never replace it.
