A composition having antimicrobial activity is provided. The composition includes a compound mixture obtained from pulverized and/or extracted wood material that contains polyphenols (i) lignans, (ii) stilbenes and (iii) oligomers of lignans, stilbenes juvabiones or flavonoids. The cytotoxicity of the polyphenols in the compound mixture is at least ten times lower compared to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and does not irritate the skin in a so-called single patch test at 0.1 wt %. The composition further includes an antimicrobial agent such as betulin, betulonic acid, betulinic acid, betuloinic acid, resveratrol or ethylhexyl glyceryl. The composition can be used in cosmetic and hair care products.
