Description

Trifolium Pratense Extract, commonly known as Red Clover Extract, is derived from the flowers of the red clover plant. This extract is widely used in cosmetics and skincare products due to its soothing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It is valued for its ability to enhance skin health, provide relief from irritation, and improve overall skin appearance.

Chemical Composition and Structure:
Trifolium Pratense Extract contains various bioactive compounds:

Isoflavones: Such as genistein and daidzein, which are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Flavonoids: Including quercetin and kaempferol, which contribute to its antioxidant and soothing properties.
Phenolic Acids: Such as caffeic acid, recognized for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
Vitamins and Minerals: Including vitamins C and E, which support skin health and offer additional antioxidant protection.

The extract retains the chemical structure of these compounds, providing the same beneficial effects as the whole plant.

Physical Properties:
Trifolium Pratense Extract is typically a liquid that ranges in color from light yellow to brown, depending on its concentration and formulation. It has a mild, floral aroma and is soluble in water and other cosmetic solvents. The extract has a smooth texture and integrates easily into various formulations.

Production Process:

Harvesting: The flowers of the red clover are collected, usually at their peak blooming period.
Extraction: The harvested flowers are subjected to extraction processes using solvents like water or alcohol to obtain the active compounds.
Purification: The extract is purified to remove any residual plant material and to concentrate the beneficial compounds.
Formulation: The purified extract is incorporated into a range of cosmetic and skincare products.

Applications:

Cosmetics: Used in products such as creams, serums, and masks to deliver soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits. It helps improve skin texture, reduce redness, and calm irritation.
Skincare: Included in formulations aimed at sensitive or aging skin to provide antioxidant protection, enhance hydration, and improve skin resilience.
Hair Care: Utilized in hair treatments to soothe the scalp and improve the overall health and appearance of the hair.

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

Environmental Impact: The production of Trifolium Pratense Extract should follow sustainable practices, including responsible harvesting and efficient resource management to minimize environmental impact.
Safety: Generally considered safe for topical use in recommended concentrations. Safety evaluations should be conducted to ensure the extract’s efficacy and to avoid potential allergic reactions or adverse effects.

INCI Functions:


Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

Hair conditioning agent. A significant number of ingredients with specific and targeted purposes may co-exist in hair shampoo formulations: cleansers, conditioners, thickeners, matting agents, sequestering agents, fragrances, preservatives, special additives. However, the indispensable ingredients are the cleansers and conditioners as they are necessary and sufficient for hair cleansing and manageability. The others act as commercial and non-essential auxiliaries such as: appearance, fragrance, colouring, etc. Hair conditioning agents have the task of increasing shine, manageability and volume, and reducing static electricity, especially after treatments such as colouring, ironing, waving, drying and brushing. They are, in practice, dispersants that may contain cationic surfactants, thickeners, emollients, polymers. The typology of hair conditioning agents includes: intensive conditioners, instant conditioners, thickening conditioners, drying conditioners. They can perform their task generally accompanied by other different ingredients.
Synonyms:

CAS: 85085-25-2 EC number 285-356-7