Description

Salix Alba Flower Extract is derived from the flowers of the Salix alba tree, commonly known as white willow. This extract is celebrated for its natural soothing, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties, making it a valuable ingredient in skincare and cosmetic formulations.

Chemical Composition and Structure

Active Compounds: Contains salicylic acid, flavonoids, and tannins. Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) recognized for its exfoliating and anti-inflammatory effects.
Salicin: The primary active compound, a glycoside that converts to salicylic acid in the body.
Physical Properties

Appearance: Typically a clear to light brown liquid.
Odor: Mild, with a characteristic floral scent.
Solubility: Soluble in water and alcohol-based formulations.
Texture: Light and easily absorbed by the skin.
Production Process

Harvesting: Flowers from the Salix alba tree are collected during their bloom.
Extraction: The flowers are subjected to extraction methods such as maceration or solvent extraction to obtain the active components.
Filtration: The extract is filtered to remove any solid residues.
Concentration: The extract may be concentrated to enhance its effectiveness.
Packaging: The final extract is packaged in sterile conditions to preserve its quality and potency.
Applications

Cosmetic: Used in skincare products for its exfoliating, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties. Commonly included in cleansers, toners, masks, and anti-aging treatments.
Pharmaceutical: Can be used in topical treatments for its anti-inflammatory and soothing effects.
Food: Not typically used in food products.
Environmental and Safety Considerations

Biodegradability: The extract is designed to be environmentally friendly and biodegradable.
Toxicity: Generally regarded as safe for topical application. Should be used according to established guidelines to avoid potential allergic reactions or skin irritations. People with sensitivities to salicylates should exercise caution. It is important to ensure that the extract is sustainably sourced and free from harmful contaminants.
Disposal: Should be disposed of in accordance with local environmental regulations to minimize environmental impact.
INCI Functions:
Cosmetic astringent. This ingredient exerts a direct effect on the skin by tightening dilated pores by contracting stratum corneum cells and removing superfluous oil.

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.

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.

Soothing. Ingredient with the task of restoring moisture to the skin, helping in the healing process of irritation, inflammation and skin disorders.

Surfactant - Foam booster. It has the effect of introducing gas bubbles into the water and affects the cleaning process by helping to spread the cleanser. Since sebum has an inhibiting effect on the bubble, more foam is produced in the second shampoo.
Synonyms:

CAS: 84082-82-6 EC number 282-029-0