Synergistic antioxidant compositions

The antioxidant compositions of various embodiments comprise methyl carboxymethylphenylaminocarboxy propylphosphonate, also known as MCAP, (2R)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-{[(2E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]oxy}propanoic acid, also known as rosmarinic acid, and 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy]-4H-chromen-4-one, also known as rutin wherein the antioxidant composition demonstrate a synergistic effect compared with the MCAP, the rosmarinic acid, or the rutin alone. The methods include treating skin or hair damaged by reactive oxygen species, preventing skin or hair damage, and treating aged skin.